Description
This Cheesy Rotel Sausage Dip is a warm, creamy, and flavorful appetizer perfect for parties and gatherings. Made with browned pork sausage, tangy Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, and a melty blend of cream cheese and sharp cheddar, this dip is simple to prepare and irresistibly delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 1 pound pork sausage
- 8 ounces cream cheese (block, softened)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (preferably freshly grated)
Vegetables and Seasonings
- 1/2 medium onion (chopped)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 (10 ounce) can Ro-tel diced tomatoes & green chilies (drained)
- Chopped scallions (optional, to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Remove the cream cheese from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before starting or soften it by microwaving for 20-30 seconds. Preheat your oven to 400°F and position the rack in the middle. Grate the cheddar cheese if not already shredded.
- Cook Sausage: Remove sausage meat from casings if using link sausage, then place it into an oven-proof skillet. Cook over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, breaking the meat apart with a spoon as it cooks.
- Add Onions: Stir in the chopped onion and continue cooking for an additional 7 to 10 minutes, until the sausage is nicely browned and onions are softened and lightly browned.
- Drain Excess Fat and Add Seasonings: If there is excess fat in the skillet, carefully spoon most of it out. Then stir in the garlic powder and drained Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies.
- Melt in Cream Cheese: Lower the heat to medium-low and add the softened cream cheese to the skillet. Stir continuously as it melts and incorporates into the sausage mixture until smooth and heated through.
- Add Cheddar and Bake: Evenly spread the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the dip. Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes until the cheese is melted. Optionally, broil for a few minutes at the end to brown the cheese slightly.
- Serve Warm: Garnish with chopped scallions if desired and serve the dip warm with your favorite chips, crackers, or bread.
Notes
- Softening the cream cheese beforehand ensures it melts smoothly into the dip.
- Removing excess fat helps reduce greasiness for a better texture and flavor.
- You can substitute ground sausage if preferred, but the casing removal step won’t be necessary.
- Broiling at the end enhances the cheesy crust, but watch closely to prevent burning.
- This dip reheats well and can be kept warm in a slow cooker for parties.
