Description
This Rotel Cheese Dip is a creamy, cheesy, and spicy appetizer that combines seasoned ground beef with a blend of Velveeta, pepper jack, sharp cheddar, and cream cheese, enhanced by diced Rotel tomatoes and fresh cilantro. Perfect for parties and gatherings, it’s baked to melty perfection and served warm with chips or veggies.
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound Ground beef (cooked, crumbled, and drained)
- 1/2 medium Yellow onion (diced)
- 1/4 cup Cilantro (chopped, optional but recommended)
- 1 can Rotel diced tomatoes (drained)
Spices
- 1 teaspoon Chili powder
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Seasoned salt
Cheeses and Dairy
- 8 ounces Velveeta cheese (cubed)
- 8 ounces Pepper jack cheese (cubed)
- 8 ounces Sharp cheddar cheese (cubed)
- 8 ounces Cream cheese (cubed)
- 1/2 cup Milk (more if needed for desired consistency)
Instructions
- Preheat and cook beef: Preheat your oven to 350ºF. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned with no pink remaining. Drain off any excess grease.
- Sauté onions and seasonings: Add diced onions and all spices (chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, seasoned salt) to the skillet with the beef. Sauté for 1-2 minutes to combine flavors, then remove from heat.
- Assemble the dip: In a pre-greased baking dish, add the cooked ground beef mixture, all the cubed cheeses (Velveeta, pepper jack, sharp cheddar, cream cheese), milk, drained Rotel tomatoes, and chopped cilantro. Stir gently or leave as-is.
- Bake the dip: Cover the baking dish with foil and place it in the oven. Bake for about 20 minutes until the cheeses are melted and the dip is hot throughout.
- Combine and adjust consistency: Remove from oven and gently stir until fully combined. If the dip is too thick, add a tablespoon or so of milk to reach desired consistency.
- Optional extra baking: For a cheesy topping, sprinkle shredded cheese over the dip and bake uncovered for an additional 5-10 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Serve: Serve warm with tortilla chips, crackers, or fresh vegetables. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of chili powder and cumin to control the spice level.
- If you prefer a smoother dip, stir thoroughly after the initial baking.
- Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- This dip can be kept warm in a slow cooker on low for serving at parties.
- To make it milder, reduce or omit the seasoned salt or chili powder.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
