Easy Rotel Dip Recipe – A Perfect Party Pleaser

This easy, cheesy Rotel dip is loaded with ground beef, bacon, and garlic for the ultimate flavor in this classic party favorite.

Hand dipping a tortilla chip into a bowl of rotel dip.

The Ultimate Rotel Dip Recipe

There’s nothing wrong with simply combining Velveeta cheese and a can of Rotel and digging into it. However, there’s a world of flavor to explore with just a few extra ingredients.

One of my favorite methods is to enhance a straightforward dish, like chicken spaghetti casserole or chicken broccoli rice casserole, by adding a few elements to elevate the flavor without complicating the process. This Rotel dip is a prime example!

By incorporating bacon, ground beef, garlic, onion, and a squeeze of lime juice, I transformed the classic Rotel dip into a more delectable version. The best part? It still comes together in about 30 minutes and can be easily kept warm in a slow cooker for all your party gatherings!

Overhead view of a bowl of rotel dip on a platter of tortilla chips.

How to Make My Rotel Dip

Even with a few additional ingredients, this Rotel dip remains super simple to prepare. It retains all the nostalgia of the cheese dips you cherished growing up, but with a more refined twist.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make this delightful party favorite, gather the following:

  • 6-8 strips bacon
  • 1 yellow onion, peeled and diced
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 3-4 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • 16 ounces Velveeta
  • 1 (10-ounce) can Rotel
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Juice of 1 lime

I prefer adding a block of cream cheese to my Rotel dip for the tang it introduces, which balances out the Velveeta nicely. Sometimes you just need Velveeta, and even if it’s indulgent, it’s perfect for a party!

When purchasing Rotel, opt for the “no salt added” variety to keep control over the final dip’s saltiness.

Making This Recipe

Start by cooking the bacon. Cut it into 1/4-inch strips and cook in a large skillet until crispy.

Bacon being cooked in a black skillet.

Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, reserving about 2 tablespoons of the grease in the pan. Return the pan to medium heat, add the onions with a pinch of salt, and cook for about 3-4 minutes. Incorporate the ground beef and cook until browned and the onions are soft.

Ground beef and onions cooking in a skillet.

Add garlic to the pan and cook for another minute, draining any excess fat if needed. While this mixture is cooking, place a large pot or Dutch oven over low heat. Cube the cream cheese and Velveeta, adding both to the pot along with the Rotel. Stir frequently until melted.

Velveeta, cream cheese, and rotel mixed in a dutch oven on a burner.

Add the beef mixture and bacon to the melted cheese and stir frequently until well combined and heated through. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper as desired. A drizzle of fresh lime juice is a perfect finishing touch.

I love to garnish my Rotel dip with sliced green onions and fresh cilantro before serving it with tortilla chips, Fritos scoops, or as a nacho topping.

Rotel dip in a white bowl, surrounded by tortilla chips.

Recipe Variations

Consider this Rotel dip recipe a helpful starting point. Here are some variations you might enjoy:

  • Use ground sausage instead of ground beef for an extra flavor twist. Choose between mild or hot sausage based on your preferred spice level.
  • Ground turkey can be used in place of beef, and you can skip the bacon or opt for turkey bacon if you want to avoid pork.
  • Feel free to swap the original Velveeta for Velveeta Queso Blanco or Mexican Cheese with Jalapeño Peppers.
  • Add an additional can of hot green chiles and/or several dashes of your favorite hot sauce for a spicier dip.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

This Rotel dip can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To reheat individual portions, simply microwave it in 30-second increments until warmed.

For a full batch, reheat it in a heavy-bottomed pot over low heat (stirring frequently) or in a slow cooker on low (stirring occasionally) until warmed through.

If you’re throwing a party, you can keep the dip warm in a slow cooker set to low. Alternatively, you can add cubed cheeses and Rotel along with the cooked meats directly to the slow cooker and let it melt, stirring occasionally leading up to serving time.

Freezing leftover Rotel dip is not recommended, as the texture can become grainy upon thawing and reheating.

Recipe Instructions

Step Instructions
1 Cut the strips of bacon into pieces about ¼-inch wide. Cook in a skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, keeping 2 tablespoons of the grease in the pan.
2 Return the skillet to medium heat and add the diced onions with a pinch of salt. Cook for 3-4 minutes, then add the ground beef and cook until browned. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
3 While the onions and beef are cooking, heat a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over low heat. Roughly cube the cream cheese and Velveeta; add to the pot along with the Rotel, cooking over low and stirring frequently until melted.
4 Combine the cooked beef mixture and bacon into the melted cheese. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently until well combined and warmed through.
5 Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Optionally, add a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
6 Garnish with green onions and fresh cilantro, if desired. Serve with tortilla chips, Fritos Scoops, or over nachos.

Nutritional Information

Serving Size: 0.5 cup

Calories: 361

Carbohydrates: 9 g

Protein: 20 g

Fat: 27 g

Saturated Fat: 13 g

Cholesterol: 83 mg

Sodium: 1144 mg

Potassium: 408 mg

Fiber: 0.5 g

Sugar: 6 g

Vitamin A: 788 IU

Calcium: 304 mg

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