This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Quick and easy, this Rotel Dip with Cream Cheese is made with a taco spiced ground beef, creamy cheese, and canned diced tomatoes with green chiles. No Velveeta is needed to make this addictingly snackable cheese dip. Serve this crowd pleasing appetizer with tortilla chips, crackers or veggies for your next party!

White baking dish filled with baked rotel dip topped with cilantro and chopped tomatoes.


 

Why we love this Rotel Dip with cream cheese

Dips are one of my favorites to serve at parties, potlucks, and cookouts! While I love an easy cold dip like our taco dip or Texas Caviar. This easy to make, warm and cheesy Rotel Dip is so easy to put together and a definite crowd-pleaser.

  • No Velveeta: This Rotel dip with cream cheese is made without Velveeta but still has the same creamy, cheesy texture!
  • Easy to Make: Cook ground beef with a homemade taco seasoning and bake with cream cheese, shredded cheese and Rotel diced tomato and Green Chiles. Combine everything in one dish for a quick and easy dip!
  • Perfect Make Ahead: If you are prepping for the big game or planning a party and want to make as much ahead as possible, this dip is a great option. Make the dip ahead of time and bake when ready to serve.

Ingredients

Ingredients needed to make rotel dip with cream cheese laid out on the counter.
  • Ground Beef: use a lean ground beef, or remember to drain out the excess grease if needed.
  • Cream Cheese: this is what is going to give a creamy base to the dip, since we’re not using Velveeta, the cream cheese melts with the shredded cheese to create a creamy, cheesy dip.
  • Shredded Cheese: grab a mild or medium cheddar cheese for a nice mild flavoring. You can also use sharp if you would prefer. Shredding your own cheese will give the best texture since pre-shredded bagged cheese has a powdered coating that can prevent a smooth melting.
  • Rotel: this is a brand name of canned diced tomatoes with green chiles and a spicy seasoning. You can purchase cans in varying degrees of heat.

Find the complete recipe card below with measurements and full instructions.

How To Make Rotel Dip

First, cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat breaking it up as it cooks. Add in the taco seasoning and stir to combine and coat the meat.

Ground beef cooked in a skillet with taco seasoning being added.

Add the ground beef to a square baking dish and top with the cubed cream cheese. Next, top with grated cheddar cheese.

How to make baked rotel dip in a baking dish, showing cooked ground beef topped with cream cheese and shredded cheese.

Pour the entire can of rotel tomatoes on top, no need to drain and no need to stir this mixture around.

Bake until the cheeses are melted, then stir to combine the ingredients until you have a nice creamy, cheesy dip.

White baking dish with ground beef, cream cheese, shredded cheese and rotel before and after baking.

Tips and Variations

  • Sausage: swap out the ground beef for a ground sausage for a different flavoring.
  • No Rotel: Make this dip without canned Rotel by sautéing some tomatoes and jalapeños together before cooking the meat. This is the method I use when making my Queso dip without Velveeta or Rotel.
  • Slow Cooker: if you would prefer to make this in the slow cooker to keep warm during the course of a party, you can cook up the ground beef according to the recipe, then add it and the remaining ingredients to a slow cooker, cook on LOW for 2 hours stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
  • Serve With: serve this Rotel Dip with tortilla chips, crackers, vegetables (carrots, cucumbers, celery, bell peppers).
Up close picture of creamy rotel dip topped with tomatoes and cilantro served with a spoon.

Common Questions:

Are you supposed to drain Rotel?

Do not drain the Rotel when making this dip recipe. The liquid helps to thin out the dip making it scoop-able with chips.

How do you make Rotel dip thinner/thicker?

If you find that the dip is too thick for your liking, add a tablespoon of milk and stir to combine. Add more as needed to reach the consistency you prefer. To make the dip thicker, add more cheese and stir while the cheese melts. Add more as needed to thicken it to your liking.

Are Rotel tomatoes spicy?

You can purchase cans of Rotel in different heat levels. This allows you to control the amount of spice in your own dip. There is also an Organic option available.

More Dip Recipes:

If you make and love our recipes, it would help us if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on InstagramPinterestFacebook, and YouTube.

Rotel Dip with Cream Cheese

5 from 6 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Author: Serene
Creamy and cheesy this Baked Rotel Dip with Cream Cheese comes together quick and easy and is perfect for serving to a crowd!
White baking dish filled with baked rotel dip topped with cilantro and chopped tomatoes.

Ingredients  

  • 1 (10 ounce can) Rotel
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 packet taco seasoning homemade taco seasoning recipe
  • 8 ounces cream cheese cubed
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded

Toppings

  • cilantro diced
  • tomato diced

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Cook ground beef in a medium size skillet over medium heat on stovetop, break apart the meat as it cooks. 
  • Once beef is cooked and browned, no longer pink, drain any excess grease. 
  • Stir the taco seasoning into the beef, evenly coating the meat. 
  • Add the meat to a square baking dish. 
  • Add the cubed cream cheese, shredded cheese and rotel into the baking dish. (no need to stir together at this point)
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes until cheeses are completely melted. 
  • Stir together the dip until it comes together and is creamy. 
  • Top with diced tomato, fresh diced cilantro and chives. 
  • Serve warm with tortilla chips. 

Notes

Make Ahead: 
  • Prep this recipe by cooking the ground beef, layering it all together and storing in a covered dish in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Bake or heat in a slow cooker when needed. Increase baking time until dip is warmed through and cheeses are melted. Allow the dish to warm on the counter for 15-20 minutes before putting into a hot oven.
Storage: 
  • Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 
  • To reheat the dip you can heat in the oven until warmed, adding milk as needed to loosen it back up if it’s too thick.
Freezing: 
  • Store cooked dip in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in the oven or in a slow cooker. 
Rotel: Can be substituted with diced tomatoes and diced jalapeño. Sauté until softened before cooking the ground beef. 
Ground Beef: can be substituted for spicy sausage. 

Nutrition

Calories: 489kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 130mg | Sodium: 886mg | Potassium: 283mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1432IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 317mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this? Leave a comment below!

Photography by the talented @KJandCompany.co


Welcome to my kitchen!

Welcome to the House of Yumm!! My name is Serene. I’m the food photographer, recipe developer, and official taste tester around these parts.

You may also like

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating