Description
This classic Rotel Cheese Dip is a creamy, spicy blend of seasoned ground beef, mild Rotel tomatoes, salsa verde, and a mix of cream and cheddar cheeses. Perfect for parties or game days, this warm dip pairs wonderfully with crunchy tortilla chips and optional fresh garnishes like diced tomatoes, cilantro, and hot sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 ¼ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 10 oz. can MILD Rotel (do not drain)
- 1/2 cup mild salsa verde
- 1 ¼ cup milk, plus more as needed
- 8 oz. full fat block cream cheese, cubed and very soft
- 2 cups freshly shredded mild or medium cheddar cheese (NOT sharp cheddar)
For Serving
- Tortilla chips
- Diced tomatoes
- Cilantro
- Hot sauce to taste
Instructions
- Cook Beef: Brown the lean ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it is almost fully cooked through. Then sprinkle in the flour and add all the spices: chili powder, salt, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Stir and cook over medium heat for one minute to fully cook the meat and allow flavors to develop.
- Add Ingredients and Simmer: Stir in the entire can of mild Rotel with its juices, the mild salsa verde, and 1 ¼ cups of milk. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan for extra flavor. Continue cooking over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to combine well.
- Make it Cheesy: Reduce the heat to low, then add the cubed very soft cream cheese, stirring constantly until it melts smoothly into the mixture. Next, add the shredded mild or medium cheddar cheese a handful at a time, stirring until each addition melts fully and creates a creamy, smooth dip.
- Adjust and Serve: Taste the dip and adjust the seasoning by adding more cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or salt if desired. If the dip is too thick, thin it out with additional milk to your preferred consistency. Serve the dip warm alongside tortilla chips and garnish with diced tomatoes, fresh cilantro, and extra hot sauce as desired. For longer serving, keep the dip on the warm setting in a crockpot to maintain the ideal temperature.
Notes
- Use mild Rotel for best flavor and leave the juice in; if you prefer spicy, omit the cayenne and adjust spice to taste.
- Avoid sharp cheddar because it doesn’t melt smoothly due to its low moisture content; mild or medium cheddar yields a creamier dip.
- Ensure the cream cheese is very soft before adding to prevent lumps; cube and microwave in short bursts until almost melty.
- This recipe serves about 10 people, ideal for gatherings or parties.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/10th of recipe
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
