Slow Cooker Cheese Dip

Category: Quick and Easy Appetizers

This hearty crockpot dip blends melted Velveeta, cream cheese, and sausage for a creamy snack. Brown the sausage first, toss in the rest, and let your slow cooker handle it.

Emily Watson
By Emily Watson Emily Watson
Last updated on Tue, 18 Mar 2025 03:48:29 GMT
A bowl of cheesy sausage dip paired with tortilla chips on the side. Pin
A bowl of cheesy sausage dip paired with tortilla chips on the side. | thefamilycooks.com

Everyone goes wild for my Slow Cooker Sausage Cheese Dip at gatherings. The blend of smooth cheese, tasty sausage, and that little bit of spice from the Rotel makes it irresistible. Folks always crowd around the crock pot, and I never have any leftovers to take back home.

The Magic Behind This Crowd-Pleasing Dip

You can bring this dip to any event from sports viewing parties to family get-togethers. I really like that I can tweak how spicy it is based on who's eating it. And since everything goes right into the crock pot, I get to mix and mingle instead of cooking the whole time.

Key Components

  • Italian Ground Sausage: I go back and forth between spicy and mild based on who's coming over.
  • Onion, Diced: It pairs wonderfully with the sausage for extra taste.
  • Cream Cheese: This gives everything that dreamy, velvety feel.
  • Velveeta: This melts better than anything else for the creamiest dip ever.
  • Rotel: Pick your spice level for just the right amount of zing and flavor.

Simple Cooking Instructions

Brown the Meat and Onions
Start by cooking your sausage with the onions until everything turns golden brown then get rid of the extra grease.
Combine in Slow Cooker
Throw all your ingredients into the crock pot the cooked meat cream cheese Velveeta and that tasty Rotel.
Heat and Mix
Let everything melt together on low heat for around 2 hours stirring every so often.
Keep Warm for Serving
Turn to the warm setting and watch it vanish with tortilla chips crackers or veggie sticks.

Handy Tricks

Don't forget to stir now and then while serving to keep it nice and smooth. Need more kick? Go for hot Rotel or toss in some chopped jalapeños. A bit of milk works great if the dip gets too thick and mild Rotel is just right for folks who don't like things too spicy.

Storage Smarts

Any extras will stay good in your fridge for up to 3 days but we hardly ever have any. When you warm it up just add a tiny bit of milk and heat it up slowly on the stove or in your microwave. During parties the slow cooker does a great job keeping it at just the right temperature.

Tasty Twists

I sometimes add corn or black beans for something different. A little lime juice can really wake up the flavors. Fresh jalapeño slices on top look nice and add extra heat. If you want something lighter you can even swap in turkey sausage instead.

Quick Answers

  • Can I cook it on my stove? Definitely just keep the temperature low and mix often.
  • What's the best way to keep it hot? Your slow cooker's warm setting works great.
  • Is making it in advance okay? For sure you can cook the sausage earlier then heat everything up when you're ready.
A bowl of creamy beef dip garnished with parsley, accompanied by tortilla chips. Pin
A bowl of creamy beef dip garnished with parsley, accompanied by tortilla chips. | thefamilycooks.com

Delicious Serving Ideas

We mostly eat this with tortilla chips but it's great with raw veggies or chunks of bread too. You can pour it over nachos or even put it on baked potatoes. When I'm hosting I like to put out different things to dip so everyone finds something they like.

Why Folks Can't Get Enough

This dip just gets people talking and sharing. It's warm gooey and so satisfying with little bits of sausage in every spoonful. And it's so easy to make though nobody would guess it took so little effort.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Recipe

→ Can I make this on the stove?

Sure, just heat everything on low, mixing occasionally until it's all melted, and serve right from the pot or a dish.

→ What extras can I throw in?

Mix in black beans, corn, onion or garlic powder, or skip diced onion for a different flavor twist.

→ How should this be served?

Serve it warm with tortilla chips, and keep it on the WARM setting in your slow cooker so it stays melted.

→ How can I turn up the heat?

Use spicy RoTel or swap in hot Italian sausage to make it as fiery as you like.

→ Why not drain the RoTel?

RoTel’s juice makes the dip creamy and also gives it extra flavor, so don’t drain it.

Sausage Cheese Dip Crockpot

Cheesy, warm crockpot dip with Italian sausage, tomatoes, and chiles. Spice it up your way. Ideal for group snacking.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
120 mins
Total Time
130 mins
By Emily Watson: Emily Watson

Recipe Category: Appetizers

Skill Level: Beginner

Cuisine Type: American

Makes: 12 Serves (Fills up one slow cooker)

Dietary Preferences: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free

What You’ll Need

01 A pound of ground Italian sausage.
02 Half a cup of diced onion.
03 One pack (8 oz) of cubed cream cheese.
04 A 16-ounce block of Velveeta, cut into chunks.
05 A 20-ounce can of RoTel, undrained.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 01

Over medium heat, cook the sausage and onions in a pan until browned. Get rid of the grease.

Step 02

In a slow cooker, toss in the sausage you browned, cream cheese pieces, Velveeta cubes, and the can of RoTel juice and all.

Step 03

Pop the lid on and let it cook on the LOW setting for about two hours. Stir it from time to time so nothing sticks.

Step 04

Flip the setting to WARM and set it out with some tortilla chips for dipping.

Additional Notes

  1. This can also be cooked on the stovetop instead.
  2. Extras like beans or corn can be thrown in if you like.
  3. Make sure it stays warm while you’re serving.

Essential Tools

  • A six-quart slow cooker.
  • A big pan for frying.

Allergen Information

Check each ingredient for potential allergens and consult a healthcare professional if needed.
  • Contains cheese, so dairy is a no-go.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

These details are for guidance only and don't replace medical advice.
  • Calories: 292
  • Fats: 22 g
  • Carbohydrates: 8 g
  • Proteins: 14 g