velveeta rotel cheese dip in a crock pot

Made with only 2 ingredients, this is the easiest cheese dip ever! And since it's made in the slow cooker, it's the perfect dip for parties. You can leave it out all night and this Crockpot Velveeta Rotel cheese dip recipe will taste as good at the end of the evening as it did at the beginning.

easy crockpot velveeta rotel cheese dip recipe

I don't think I've ever held a party where I didn't serve this cheesy dip recipe. But it is especially good for game day get-togethers where you want something to nibble on for the whole game.

Okay, maybe Velveeta isn't "real" cheese. But combine it with Rotel, and it sure makes a melty, creamy queso dip that everyone loves!

I have a few vegetarian friends so I usually make this Rotel dip recipe without meat.

But if you want to beef it up a bit (pun intended), you can add sausage, ground beef or ground turkey (see the sections below for more information about that).

And did I mention how much I love party recipes that are served in the slow cooker?

You can set them up ahead of time and they're ready to go when the party starts. No last minute running around.

Easy, make-ahead, and tasty! No wonder it's one of my go-to party appetizers.

Ingredients

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A package of Velveeta and two cans of Rotel

Here is your (really short) shopping list:

  • Velveeta cheese – You need the 32-ounce block. I have tried using non-processed cheeses such as cheddar and Monterey Jack and they really don't work as well as Velveeta for this recipe.
  • Rotel* – 2 10-ounce cans. You can buy whichever version of Rotel you want depending on how spicy you want your dip to be.
  • Garnish (optional) – fresh cilantro, diced tomatoes

Equipment

  • (Optional) Slow Cooker Liners* – while these liners are not absolutely necessary, they make clean up so much easier that I never make this cheese dip recipe without them.
  • 4 to 6 quart slow cooker
  • knife
  • can opener

How to make Rotel cheese dip in a slow cooker

Prep work

Velveeta cut into cubes

Put a slow cooker liner in the Crockpot. This is optional but it makes clean up a breeze! At the end of the night, you just pull out the liner with all the leftover cheese in it, and throw the whole thing in the garbage.

Cut the Velveeta up into one inch cubes. This will help it melt faster.

Add the ingredients to the crock pot

Velveeta cubes and Rotel in a Crockpot

Add the cheese to the crockpot along with 2 cans of Rotel.

Don't drain the Rotel. The juice from the tomatoes adds to the flavor and texture of the dip.

Put the lid on the slow cooker.

Since neither of the ingredients go bad quickly, I usually prepare it up to this point a few hours before the party. Plug the crockpot in where you want it to go, but don't turn it on yet. (Now you have one less thing you'll have to be messing with at the last minute)

Cook it

Velveeta Rotel cheese dip on a spoon above a Crockpot

A couple of hours before you want to start serving, turn the crockpot on.

Start it out on high until the cheese has melted.

This usually takes about an hour in my slow cooker, but it could be up to 2 hours depending on how hot your crockpot gets.

Stir the mixture occasionally to evenly distribute the heat.

Tortilla chips with Rotel cheese dip on a plate

After the cheese is melted, turn the Crockpot down to the warm setting.

Otherwise the cheese will get really hot and runny. Which make the dip much harder too eat.

Serve it

Crockpot Velveeta Rotel cheese dip with cilantro on top

If you want to make it look pretty, sprinkle some chopped Cilantro over the top of the cheese.

Crockpot Velveeta Rotel cheese dip with chopped tomatoes and fresh cilantro

Or put some chopped tomatoes in the center. You could also save a couple of spoonfuls of the Rotel tomatoes and green chiles for this.

How to make Rotel dip with sausage

If you want to spice up your cheese dip a little, try adding a package of chopped spicy Italian sausage or Andouille sausage to the mixture.

Put them in the crockpot when you are about to turn it on.

If you plugged it in ahead of time, don't add the meat until it is time to start cooking it, because it can go bad if it is sitting out at room temperature for too long.

How to make Rotel dip with ground beef, turkey or chicken

To make the dip with ground beef or ground turkey, you'll need to cook the meat separately.

To do this:

  • Put 1 pound of ground beef, turkey or chicken in a frying pan.
  • Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. To add a little more kick, throw in a teaspoon of Taco seasoning.
  • Cook over medium heat stirring occasionally until the meat turns brown, about 5 to 10 minutes.

The meat can be cooked a day or two ahead of time and refrigerated if you're trying to get ready in advance.

Then add the browned ground beef, turkey or chicken to the crockpot with the Velveeta and Rotel at the same time you are turning the slow cooker on.

As with the sausage, these meats shouldn't sit out at room temperature for too long. So if you are plugging the slow cooker in ahead of time, don't add the ground beef, turkey or chicken until just before you turn it on.

Velveeta Rotel cheese dip in a crock pot served with bowls of carrots, tortilla chips and pretzels

FAQs

What food goes with Rotel dip?

Tortilla chips are the usual choice for serving with Rotel dip.
But chunks of bread, pretzels, vegetables (like carrots and celery sticks) or anything else that tastes good with melted cheese will also work. You can almost treat it like a cheese fondue in a crockpot.

Can you make it cook faster?

If you forget to turn the slow cooker on and need the Rotel cheese dip to be ready in a hurry, you can melt the Velveeta on medium-low heat on the stove. It should take 5 to 10 minutes. Turn the slow cooker onto the warm setting. Then pour the cheese into it along with the Rotel.

Other appetizer recipes you might like

  • Crockpot spinach artichoke dip
  • Crockpot chicken meatballs
  • Guacamole dip
  • Triple cheese ball

velveeta rotel cheese dip in a crock pot

Crockpot Velveeta Rotel Cheese Dip

This Crockpot Velveeta Rotel Cheese Dip recipe is a super easy appetizer that only requires 2 ingredients and everyone loves it.

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 2 hrs

Total Time 2 hrs 5 mins

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Servings 30 people

Calories 70 kcal

Prevent your screen from going dark

  • 4-quart slow cooker

  • knife

  • Can opener

  • 1 32-ounce package Velveeta cheese
  • 2 10-ounce cans Rotel

  • Chop the Velveeta into one inch cubes and put them into the slow cooker.

  • Add the rotel.

  • Cover and cook in the crockpot on high for 1 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

  • When all of the cheese is melted, turn the slow cooker down to the warm setting.

  • Serve with tortilla chips.

  • Use a slow cooker liner in the crockpot to make clean up easier.
  • If you are running behind, you can melt the cheese in a pot on the stove and then add it to the Rotel in the slow cooker.
  • Increase or decrease the spiciness of the dip by choosing the Rotel variety that is mild, medium or hot.

Variations:

  • Cook ground beef in a frying pan and add it to the melted cheese mix.
  • Add chunks of cut up sausage.
  • Serve with bread, carrot sticks or celery instead of tortilla chips.

Calories: 70 kcal Carbohydrates: 4 g Protein: 6 g Fat: 3 g Saturated Fat: 2 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g Monounsaturated Fat: 1 g Cholesterol: 13 mg Sodium: 481 mg Potassium: 140 mg Fiber: 1 g Sugar: 3 g Vitamin A: 319 IU Vitamin C: 2 mg Calcium: 179 mg Iron: 1 mg

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