Description
This creamy Rotel Cheese Dip combines lean ground beef, mild Rotel tomatoes, and a blend of cheeses and spices to create a flavorful, cheesy dip perfect for serving with tortilla chips. The dip is cooked on the stovetop and can be kept warm in a crockpot for parties and gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 ¼ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, more or less to taste
- 1 10 oz. can MILD Rotel with juices, do not drain
- ½ 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)
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 cooked through. Then add the flour and all the listed spices (chili powder, salt, ground cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper). Continue cooking over medium heat for one minute until the ground beef is fully cooked and coated with the spices.
- Add Ingredients and Simmer: Stir in the entire can of mild Rotel with its juices, the mild salsa verde, and 1 ¼ cup of milk. Bring the mixture to a simmer while scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let it cook over medium heat for 5 minutes while stirring occasionally to blend flavors.
- Make it Cheesy: Reduce the heat to low. Add the cubed, very soft cream cheese and stir continuously until it melts completely into the mixture. Gradually add the freshly shredded mild or medium cheddar cheese a handful at a time, stirring until each addition is fully melted and the dip becomes smooth and creamy.
- Adjust and Serve: Taste and adjust the seasoning by adding hot sauce or additional cayenne pepper and salt as needed. If the dip is too thick, thin it out by slowly stirring in more milk until the desired consistency is reached. Serve warm with tortilla chips and garnish with diced tomatoes and cilantro. For parties, keep the dip warm on the crockpot's warm setting.
Notes
- Use MILD Rotel for a balanced flavor and do not drain to preserve the juices which add moisture.
- If using spicy Rotel, omit the cayenne pepper and adjust spiciness to your preference.
- Avoid sharp cheddar cheese as it does not melt smoothly and can create a grainy, oily texture.
- Use very soft cream cheese for easy blending: cube it, microwave for 30 seconds, then continue in 10-second intervals until nearly melted.
- This recipe yields about 10 servings, ideal for parties and gatherings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/10 batch
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
