FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• My Sausage Rotel Dip Recipe Is Cheesy, Meaty, And Made Clean
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make Rotel Dip
• My Tips For Texture
• Sausage Rotel Dip (4-Ingredient Recipe) Recipe card
• Recipe Reviews

My Sausage Rotel Dip Recipe Is Cheesy, Meaty, And Made Clean

I grew up seeing my friend’s dad make Rotel dip with nothing but Velveeta cheese and a can of Rotel, usually microwaved together in a hurry. I wanted a version that had the same creamy, zesty, melty vibes, but more hearty and without the processed cheese. Here’s how I make this Rotel sausage dip recipe differently, and why I love making it this way:

• Real food ingredients – My version but skips the processed Velveeta for real, actual cheese. Not only do I feel better eating it, I think it tastes better, too.
• Bold, cheesy, and meaty – It’s the creamy, zesty taste everyone loves in Rotel dip, but with sausage to make it more satisfying.
• Quick prep, hands-off cooking – With only 4 ingredients and 10 minutes of effort, the Crock Pot takes over to keep it warm, gooey, and ready for dipping all night long.

I’ve served this sausage Rotel dip as a Super Bowl appetizer , at other parties parties, for movie nights, and even brought it to a potluck. It always disappears fast. Make it with me!

“So very yummy! My guests loved it tonight around the bonfire with some peppers and celery to dip, and the hi-carbers used scoops chips. There was NONE left!” –Rhonda

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my Rotel dip recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Ground Italian Sausage – Feel free to swap in plain pork sausage, turkey sausage or ground turkey to lighten it up, chorizo for a punchy flavor, ground beef, or even shredded chicken. I’ve also tossed in leftover taco meat to use it up, and it tasted great!
• Cheddar Cheese – I like to shred my own because it melts creamier, but pre-shredded is fine if you’re short on time. Want to mix things up? Monterey Jack, pepper jack (for a little kick), or a Mexican blend all melt beautifully.
• Cream Cheese – My secret to making the Rotel dip creamy without relying on Velveeta.
• Diced Tomatoes With Green Chiles – A.k.a. Rotel! It comes in mild, medium, or hot, so pick your spice level. Otherwise, I’ve made this with chunky salsa before, which makes it taste a lot like my Crock Pot queso dip .
• Green Onions – Optional, but I add them for fresh, zesty finish.

How To Make Rotel Dip

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Brown the sausage. Cook the sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, until it’s browned and crumbly. If it gets a little greasy, just drain off the extra.
2. Mix everything together. Transfer the sausage to your slow cooker ( I have this one ), then add the Rotel, cream cheese chunks, and shredded cheese.
3. Slow cook the Rotel dip. Set it on High and cook until bubbly and melty. Give it a good stir and sprinkle on those green onions. I love scooping this dip with crunchy celery, mini bell peppers, cucumbers, or even broccoli and cauliflower, but you can certainly opt for tortilla chips like I did in these pictures!

My Tips For Texture

• I like to brown the sausage until it’s a little crisp around the edges. It gives the dip more flavor and tastes less greasy this way. I recommend having the stovetop heat at medium-high or even high to get those crispy bits.
• Break down the sausage into very small pieces. This makes for easier scooping and a better texture than larger chunks in your dip.
• Draining the grease from the sausage is important. Otherwise, I find the sausage Rotel dip turns out too oily.
• If you shred your own cheese, it melts more smoothly. I’ve used pre-shredded in a pinch, but freshly grated is worth the extra minute.
• Feel free to add veggies to balance all that meat and cheese. I just pre-cook them when I do this, otherwise they make the dip watery. Try sauteed onions, mushrooms, bell peppers, or celery. Or you can add some drained black beans or canned corn, which don’t require any cooking!
• I don’t drain the canned tomatoes, but you can if you like. The dip turns out thicker if you drain.
• I usually keep my Rotel dip on the “Warm” setting after it’s cooked. That way, it stays gooey and ready for dipping throughout the whole game or party.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 1 lb Ground Italian sausage ▢
• 2 cups Cheddar cheese (shredded) ▢
• 2 10-oz cans Diced tomatoes with green chilies ▢
• 8 oz Cream cheese (cubed) ▢
• Green onions (sliced; optional, for garnish) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. In a large skillet , add sausage and use a wooden spoon or spatula to break up the sausage. Cook on medium heat for about 10 minutes , until browned. Drain the grease from the sausage.
2. Transfer the sausage to a Crock Pot . Add the cheddar cheese and diced tomatoes, and stir. Dot the top with chunks of cream cheese.
3. Slow cook the sausage Rotel dip on high for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until melty and bubbly.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1/4 cup

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the best texture in your sausage Rotel dip.
• Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. I don’t recommend freezing this cheese dip, as the cream cheese texture changes when thawing.
• Meal prep: You can brown the sausage a few days in advance, but the dip itself stores quite well too, so feel free to make the whole thing ahead.
• Reheat: You can use the microwave, or pop the Rotel dip in the Crock Pot again on the Warm setting.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Healthy Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Rotel Dip

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

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2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
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The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

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Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Sausage Rotel Dip (4-Ingredient Recipe)

My sausage Rotel dip recipe is creamy, cheesy, and made in the Crock Pot with real food ingredients. It’s the ultimate easy party dip!

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/rotel-dip/

Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground Italian sausage
• 2 cups Cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 2 10-oz cans Diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 8 oz Cream cheese (cubed)
• Green onions (sliced; optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. In a large skillet , add sausage and use a wooden spoon or spatula to break up the sausage. Cook on medium heat for about 10 minutes , until browned. Drain the grease from the sausage.
2. Transfer the sausage to a Crock Pot . Add the cheddar cheese and diced tomatoes, and stir. Dot the top with chunks of cream cheese.
3. Slow cook the sausage Rotel dip on high for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until melty and bubbly.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1/4 cup

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the best texture in your sausage Rotel dip.
• Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. I don’t recommend freezing this cheese dip, as the cream cheese texture changes when thawing.
• Meal prep: You can brown the sausage a few days in advance, but the dip itself stores quite well too, so feel free to make the whole thing ahead.
• Reheat: You can use the microwave, or pop the Rotel dip in the Crock Pot again on the Warm setting.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Healthy Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)