Rotel Dip (Stovetop or Crockpot)

This iconic Rotel Dip recipe is loaded with creamy Velveeta cheese, hearty ground beef and a can of Rotel tomatoes! It’s a very popular queso recipe, along with our Smoked Queso and Chili Cheese Dip recipes, since it’s quick and easy to make. 

More dip recipes, to serve alongside air fryer tortilla chips and dips with Rotel: smoked cream cheese, cowboy candy, 4-ingredient guacamole, and refried bean dip

Rotel Cheese Dip

Rotel cheese dip can be made on the stovetop in 20 minutes or in the crockpot! It can also be made well in advance, making it an easy appetizer to serve come game day or Christmas. 

Haven’t heard of Ro*tel? Rotel is a brand of canned tomatoes spiked with peppers. Ranging from mild to hot, there are currently 10 different Ro*tel flavors.

We love some heat so usually use the option containing habanero or serrano peppers. Don’t care for heat? Use the “mild” version.

Velveeta Queso Dip

This queso dip recipe has only been tested with Velveeta, not freshly grated cheese. Grated cheese tends to be gritty and greasy when melted. As such, queso recipes made with freshly grated cheese will be written and tested to avoid these factors. This isn’t it. It’s all Velveeta, baby!!

Velveeta Cheese Dip

Only 3 ingredients are required to make this Rotel cheese dip recipe:. 

• Velveeta Cheese, Any Variety
• Ground Beef
• Rotel, Any Variety (Undrained)

How To Make Rotel Dip

To make this Rotel cheese dip recipe on the stove, you’re looking at only 2 quick steps: brown and drain the ground beef and add in the remaining two ingredients. Stir until melted.

Rotel Dip In A Crock Pot

This Velveeta queso crockpot dip takes longer to make than the stovetop version, but it’s more hands off. Plus you don’t have to transfer it to another vessel to keep it heated if you’re serving it as a party appetizer.

To make rotel queso in the crock pot, brown and drain the ground beef and throw it in the crock pot with the rest of the ingredients and warm on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. 

Dipper Ideas

While nothing beats chips and queso, in our opinion, there are some other “dipper” options to consider:

• Baguette (or other sliced bread)
• Crackers
• Fresh Vegetables – Carrots and Bell Peppers
• Potato Chips
• Pretzel Bites
• Pita Chips
• Pork Rinds

Topping Ideas

Like loading up queso dip with toppings? Here are a few of our favorites:

• Pickled Peppers
• Pickled Banana Peppers
• Pickled Red Onions
• Sour Cream
• Black Olives
• Salsa – Restaurant Style Salsa, smoked salsa or pico de gallo
• Chopped Fresh Cilantro
• Chopped Green Onions
• Chopped Cilantro
• Chopped Fresh Tomatoes

As mentioned, this is a highly customizable Velveeta cheese dip, so adjust to your personal preference. Pretty much any ingredient found in our Caldo de Queso would work. 

Variations

Ground Beef Dip with Rotel

As written, this is a dip with ground beef. As you’re going to drain the grease from the beef, it doesn’t matter what fat % you use.

Rotel Dip With Cream Cheese

Like cream cheese? Throw a block in with the Velveeta to add a little tang. Full-fat cream cheese works best when melting.

Rotel Shrimp Dip

To make this a seafood dip, omit the ground beef and throw in chopped cooked shrimp or even rock shrimp.

Rotel Dip With Sausage

To make sausage dip, replace the ground beef with ground sausage.

Velveeta Queso Recipe

Velveeta queso also goes by a few other names, including:

• rotel hamburger dip
• velveeta hamburger dip
• rotel cheese dip
• ugly dip

What To Serve With

Rotel queso dip can be enjoyed solo with tortilla chips OR as the perfect side dish. Especially a few of our popular Mexican recipes. Here are a few we’d serve it next to:

• Carne Asada Recipes – Carne Asada, Carne Asada Tacos, Carne Asada Nachos, Carne Asada Fries
• Taco Recipes – Steak Picado, Street Tacos, Pollo Asado Tacos, Birria Tacos
• Mulitas
• Mix it in smoked mac and cheese
• Queso Burger
• Burritos
• Chili Cheese Hot Dogs
• Chili Cheese Fries
• Air Fried French Fries
• Fajitas – Steak Fajitas or Chicken Fajitas

Expert Tips

• As the ground beef will be drained, you can utilize any % of fat. It won’t matter to the final product.
• The ground beef must be browned and chopped before adding the other ingredients. If not, too much grease will be added to the mix.
• Transfer the dip to a slow cooker set to warm to keep the nice smooth texture. It will harden as it cools.
• Store in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• As there is no dairy in this queso, it can be stored in the freeze for up to 3 months.
• Make it up to 3 days in advance to cut down on prep time, if serving at a party.

Drink Pairings

You can’t go wrong reaching for a Mexican Mule, Michelada, Margarita, Beermosa or an ice cold beer.