This sausage dip recipe is loaded with flavorful pork sausage, Rotel tomatoes, cream cheese, and a delicious layer of cheddar. Great for game day or as a party appetizer!
I think you might also enjoy my popular Spinach Artichoke Dip recipe next for easy entertaining.
This sausage cream cheese dip is a fairly standard and popular recipe, but I wanted to add my own little twist to it. I sautéed some onions and added a bit of garlic to punch up the flavor even more. And you can't go wrong with a melty layer of cheddar on top, right?!
You may also like my Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip or my Hot Cheddar Bacon Dip.
This warm sausage dip is sure to go quickly... it's pretty addictive. 😉
What kind of sausage will work?
Use your favorite uncooked pork sausage. I used bratwurst for the dip pictured, but Italian sausage or even breakfast sausage are good choices. You can easily change it up depending on what's available or what you're in the mood for.
Recipe notes & tips:
- Stir in a little hot sauce, use spicy Italian sausage, or add some crushed red pepper flakes if you want some more heat! Original Rotel has some kick to it. Use mild if you don't want too much spice.
- I prefer to grate my own cheddar (I just buy a block) because it melts and tastes better than the pre-shredded bagged kind, but if you're in a pinch, you can definitely use that. Or try subbing a Tex-Mex or pepper jack cheese.
- Don't have Rotel tomatoes? Use regular diced tomatoes but add a can of green chilies... they really make a difference in the flavor.
- I highly recommend getting an oven-proof skillet if you don't own one already. It's great for tons of recipes, and it retains heat well to keep the dip nice and warm. The skillet pictured is Le Creuset, but I also love my super affordable Lodge cast iron one.
What to serve with Rotel sausage dip?
Chips, toasted baguette slices, crackers, or veggies (try sliced carrots, celery, peppers, and cucumber).
Other tasty sausage recipes to try:
- Creole Sausage Balls with Remoulade Dipping Sauce
- Sausage and Peppers Skillet
- Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta
Will you give this cheesy Rotel sausage dip a try?
Questions? Let me know in the comments below.
Cheesy Rotel Sausage Dip
Ingredients
- 1 pound pork sausage
- 1/2 medium onion chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 (10 fluid ounce) can Ro-tel diced tomatoes & green chilies drained
- 8 ounces cream cheese (I used a block of Philly) softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (I prefer to grate my own)
- Chopped scallions optional, to taste
Instructions
- Take the cream cheese out of the fridge at least 30 minutes prior to starting the recipe, or microwave it for 20-30 seconds so it softens up. Preheat oven to 400F and move the rack to the middle position. Grate the cheddar.
- If you're using sausages (vs. ground sausage meat), take the meat out of the casings and add it to an an oven-proof skillet. Cook, over medium-high heat, for 5 minutes, breaking it up with your spoon as you go along.
- Add the onion to the pan and continue cooking for another 7-10 minutes or until the sausage is nicely browned and the onions are softened and lightly browned.
- If there's a lot of excess fat, spoon most of it out. Stir in the garlic powder and drained Rotel tomatoes.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the cream cheese. It'll take a few minutes to fully incorporate and heat through.
- Once the cream cheese has melted in, top the dip with an even layer of the shredded cheddar. Bake for 10 minutes. You can broil it at the end for a few minutes if you wish. Serve warm.
Notes
- If you can't find Rotel, I suggest using regular diced tomatoes but also including a 4 ounce can of green chilies - it really makes a difference in the flavor of this recipe. Original Rotel is quite spicy, so use their mild variety if you don't want the heat.
- This is the cast iron skillet I used to make this recipe. I love cast iron because it keeps the dip nice and warm. You could also transfer the dip to a small Crockpot to keep it warm for longer.
- Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
Doug says
I found the idea of sausage dip rather unusual. Perhaps it’s a North American thing, or maybe I’ve just lead a sheltered life! So I had to have a go at this one.
I made it last week making my own version of Rotel tomatoes, I could get a can on u.k amazon for £6.75 (around 12 Canadian dollars!). I used a traditional English sausage and made some something like nachos by frying corn tortillas. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed it and my children are very keen for me to make it again.
Next time I plan to use vegetarian sausages, as we are reducing meat consumption in our house.
Loved it. Thanks Natasha
Natasha says
Hi Doug! It's definitely a North American thing haha... mostly USA. I hadn't heard of it growing up either (born in the UK but raised in Canada). I'm so glad you decided to make it a project and liked it!! And geez... that is definitely excessive for a can of Rotel... good choice to make it yourself. 🙂