Melty Rotel Dip with Ground Beef (Printable Version)

Creamy, spicy cheese dip with seasoned beef, Rotel tomatoes, and sour cream. Perfect for parties and game day with tortilla chips.

# Ingredient List:

→ Meats

01 - 1 pound lean ground beef

→ Vegetables & Canned Goods

02 - 1 (10-ounce) can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped (optional)

→ Dairy

04 - 16 ounces processed cheese (such as Velveeta), cubed
05 - 3/4 cup sour cream

→ Seasonings

06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
09 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Serving

10 - Tortilla chips, for serving
11 - Sliced green onions or chopped cilantro (optional garnish)

# Directions:

01 - In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef (and onion, if using) until browned and fully cooked, about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
02 - Add the Rotel tomatoes (with juices), garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and cook for 2 minutes.
03 - Reduce heat to low. Add the cubed processed cheese. Stir frequently until the cheese is completely melted and the mixture is smooth, about 5–7 minutes.
04 - Remove from heat. Stir in the sour cream until fully incorporated and creamy.
05 - Transfer to a serving bowl or slow cooker set to warm. Garnish with sliced green onions or cilantro if desired. Serve hot with tortilla chips.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The combination of seasoned beef and tangy sour cream cuts through the rich cheese so every bite feels balanced not heavy
  • This comes together in 25 minutes flat but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
  • It stays creamy in a slow cooker for hours which means you actually get to enjoy your own party
02 -
  • I once made the mistake of adding sour cream while the heat was still on and it separated into a weird grainy mess
  • Keeping this on the warm setting for more than 2 hours can cause the cheese to tighten up so stir in a splash of milk if it thickens
03 -
  • Cube your cheese while it is cold straight from the fridge for the cleanest cuts and fastest melting
  • The smoked paprika is optional but it is the secret ingredient that makes people wonder what makes this different from every other Rotel dip they have tasted

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