Rotel Dip is the easiest 4 ingredient appetizer dip recipe you can make in one pan! It's a rich and creamy beef queso packed with tomatoes, green chilies, ground beef, and of course lots of creamy cheese! Made in just one pan it's a perfect appetizer for entertaining that takes no time at all to prep.
Rotel Dip Recipe
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Cheesy dips are one of our favorite appetizers. This quick and easy 4 ingredient Rotel dip is one of the easiest appetizers you can make. Everything gets cooked in one pan and everyone loves beef queso so it's the perfect easy appetizer for holiday entertaining, game days, and family get togethers! We love this dip served with tortilla chips, or as a topping for tacos, burritos, and nachos.
What is Rotel Dip
This Rotel dip is a fun twist on beef queso. Queso typically requires a long ingredient list and requires more time to cook. Instead, this shortcut Rotel dip is made with four simple ingredients and made in one pan. Velveeta cheese is combined with taco seasoning, canned diced tomatoes and green chilis, and cooked ground beef. It's the most flavor packed dip you can make in under 15 minutes with only 4 ingredients!
Taco Tuesday Dinner Ideas
Ingredients
- Ground Beef - we like to use medium, lean, or extra lean ground beef. Once the beef is pan fried the fat is drained but by using a leaner cut it does keep the dip a bit healthier.
- Velveeta Cheese - this recipe is created to work specifically with Velveeta cheese as a shortcut queso style dip. If you prefer to swap for cheddar cheese the texture of the dip will be very thick.
- Taco Seasoning - adds just the right amount of flavor to the dip to give it classic queso vibes.
- Rotel - Rotel is the most popular brand but you can use any brand of chopped tomatoes with green chilies. This is a secret weapon in the kitchen! These flavor packed chopped tomatoes and green chilies are the easiest way to level up any dip, taco night, nachos, or pasta!
How to Make Rotel Dip
Full Printable Recipe at Bottom of page
- Heat a large skillet or frying pan to medium heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until no pink remains and meat is cooked through, approximately 5 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add in the taco seasoning and can of Rotel with juices. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until it is fully combined and the sauce is simmering.
Optional: reserve 1 tablespoon of the diced tomatoes to garnish the dip before serving. - Add in the cubed cheese. Stir continuously until the cheese is fully melted.
- Optional: garnish the dip with the reserved diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro and/or sliced green onions. Serve the dip immediately with tortilla chips, crostini, or toasted baguettes to dip and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Rotel Dip
- Beef - we love using lean, medium, or extra lean ground beef for this recipe. It is a bit leaner so the dip does not get overly greasy. For a healthier option you can also use ground chicken or ground turkey.
- Flavor Variations - this is a flavor packed dip with only 4 ingredients. It's great as it is but you can also change the flavor profile each time you make it! For a spicy version you can swap the beef for ground chorizo meat. Add in some diced jalapenos, hot sauce, and use half Velveeta cheese and half jalapeno havarti or pepper jack cheese!
- Make Ahead - this dip is great for make ahead because you can prep it before your guests arrive and keep it covered in the skillet or frying pan. Just before serving simply reheat the dip and stir until warmed through. Then add your garnishes on top and serve the dip right out of the frying pan with tortilla chips to dip!
FAQ
To reheat the dip, cover with foil and bake in the oven for 5-8 minutes at 350°F or until warmed through. You can also microwave the dip in 20 second intervals until warmed through. Or transfer leftovers to a frying pan and heat on medium-low for 5-6 minutes or until warmed through.
Cover the cooled dip with foil or plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
We do not recommend freezing this dip as the base is dairy which tends to split when frozen and thawed.
Yes! This dip is perfect for make ahead. You can prep the dip up to 2 days in advance. Store in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat stove top or in the microwave before serving.
Swap the beef for plant based ground beef crumble substitute.
This recipe is gluten free (double check that the brand of taco seasoning used is gluten free).
More Easy Dips
Enjoy!
- Sab
Rotel Dip
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (lean, medium, or extra lean)
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning (or ½ teaspoon each chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin)
- 1 can Rotel (10 ounces, or 1 can diced tomatoes with chilies )
- 1 brick Velveeta cheese (2 cups, 16 ounces, cubed)
Garnish
- Diced tomatoes
- Freshly parsley or cilantro (chopped)
- Green onions (chopped)
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet or frying pan to medium heat. Add the 1 lb ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until no pink remains and meat is cooked through, approximately 5 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add in the 1 tablespoon taco seasoning and 1 can Rotel with juices. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until it is fully combined and the sauce is simmering.Optional: reserve 1 tablespoon of the diced tomatoes to garnish the dip before serving.
- Add in the cubed 1 brick Velveeta cheese. Stir continuously until the cheese is fully melted.
- Optional: garnish the dip with the reserved Diced tomatoes, chopped Freshly parsley or cilantro and/or sliced Green onions. Serve the dip immediately with tortilla chips, crostini, or toasted baguettes to dip and enjoy!
Nutrition
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