Sausage Dip Recipe

By
Morgan Baker
Morgan Walker
Morgan Baker
Morgan is a recipe developer and photographer. She is also a gardener and exceptional hugger.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 03/17/22
Tested by
Carrie Parente
Carrie Parente
Tested by Carrie Parente
Carrie is a freelance food stylist and culinary producer who loves having a table full of guests.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Sausage Dip in a bowl, served with a side of chips

The Spruce Eats / Christine Ma

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 20 mins
Servings: 8 servings

This dip recipe is a crowd-pleaser that you can easily accommodate for all tastes. Once you make this sausage dip, you won't be able to get enough of it, because it’s so good and satisfying. Serve it hot on toast, with corn chips, or sliced bell peppers. The options are limitless!

This recipe is a great candidate for the Instant Pot. All you have to do is heat the Instant Pot on the sauté function, then cook the ground sausage until it is no longer pink. Add the Rotel and cream cheese, and seal the Instant Pot lid and make sure the vent is closed. Turn the setting to manual and cook for 3 minutes then release the pressure and stir the mixture until fully incorporated. Scoop the mixture into a serving dish and surround it with chips.

“This is a quick and easy dip that will be a crowd pleaser at your next get together. The can of Rotel adds just enough spice. Personally, I’d like it a bit cheesier so next time I’ll either add another block of cream cheese or use less ground sausage.” —Carrie Parente

Sausage Dip/Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground sausage

  • 1 (10.5-ounce) can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies

  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes

  • Corn chips, for serving

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Sausage Dip ingredients in bowls

    The Spruce Eats / Christine Ma

  2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Drain the excess fat.

    Sausage cooking in a cast iron skillet

    The Spruce Eats / Christine Ma

  3. Lower the heat to medium. Add the Rotel and cream cheese.

    Sausage with Rotel and cream cheese in a cast iron skillet

    The Spruce Eats / Christine Ma

  4. Stir occasionally until the cheese is fully melted and the mixture is combined, about 10 minutes.

    Sausage dip in a cast iron skillet

    The Spruce Eats / Christine Ma

  5. Transfer to a large bowl and serve with the chips on the side.

    Sausage Dip in a bowl, served with chips

    The Spruce Eats / Christine Ma

Recipe Variations

  • When making this dip you can cut back on the level of spice by using canned diced tomatoes instead of Rotel. Rotel is canned diced tomatoes with green chilis, so if you’re not a lover of spice and prefer a mild dip just make this small adjustment.
  • Alternatively, you could add another can of diced green chilis if you’d like to up the spice factor.
  • Try adding 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning or 1 to 2 teaspoons of ancho chili powder for an even spicier option. Or you could add 1 diced jalapeño or a couple of tablespoons of diced pickled jalapeños depending on the kind of spice you enjoy most.
  • If you’re really a cheese lover try adding 1/2 cup water or stock, and about half a block (4 ounces) of Velveeta cheese along with the cream cheese.
  • Sprinkle the top with Monterey jack and pop in the broiler for a few minutes for an even more decadent dip.

How to Freeze and Reheat

To make things even easier on yourself, freeze this dip in an airtight container for up to three months. Remove from the freezer the night before you want to serve the dip and allow it to thaw in the fridge, then just reheat in the microwave, about 2 minutes at a time, stirring often. If you don't have a microwave, you can reheat the dip on the stovetop on medium-low heat.


If the dip is too thick, try adding about 1/4 cup of chicken stock or water while warming and stirring. If it’s too thin, add more cream cheese, about 1 tablespoon at a time.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
510 Calories
40g Fat
28g Carbs
12g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 510
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 40g 51%
Saturated Fat 13g 64%
Cholesterol 63mg 21%
Sodium 818mg 36%
Total Carbohydrate 28g 10%
Dietary Fiber 2g 9%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 12g
Vitamin C 18mg 92%
Calcium 105mg 8%
Iron 1mg 6%
Potassium 462mg 10%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)