Description
Cheesy Rotel Ranch Queso is a creamy, flavorful dip combining melted Velveeta and cream cheese with zesty Rotel tomatoes and ranch seasoning. Enhanced with optional ground beef or sausage, this warm, savory queso is perfect for parties and game days, served alongside tortilla chips for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese & Dairy
- 1 lb Velveeta cheese, cubed
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup milk or heavy cream (adjust as needed)
Vegetables & Seasonings
- 1 can (10 oz) Rotel tomatoes with green chilies (mild or spicy)
- 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
Protein (Optional)
- ½ lb ground beef or sausage (optional)
Garnish (Optional)
- Fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Meat (If Using): In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or sausage until fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess grease and set the cooked meat aside.
- Melt the Cheese: In a large saucepan or slow cooker, add the cubed Velveeta and softened cream cheese. Heat on low, stirring occasionally, until both cheeses have fully melted and formed a smooth mixture.
- Mix in Rotel & Seasoning: Stir in the canned Rotel tomatoes with their juices, ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute the flavors.
- Adjust the Consistency: Slowly add milk or heavy cream a little at a time, stirring continuously until the queso reaches your preferred creamy and pourable thickness.
- Combine & Heat: If using the cooked meat, add it to the queso mixture now. Continue heating for an additional 3-5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together, stirring occasionally.
- Serve & Enjoy: Pour the hot queso into a serving bowl or keep warm in a slow cooker on the warming setting. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro or parsley if desired. Serve immediately with tortilla chips or your favorite dippers.
Notes
- To make this vegetarian, simply omit the ground beef or sausage.
- Adjust the heat level by choosing mild or spicy Rotel tomatoes according to your preference.
- For a thicker queso, reduce the amount of milk or cream added; for a thinner dip, add more gradually.
- This queso can be prepared in advance and gently reheated before serving.
- Serve with tortilla chips, pretzels, or fresh vegetable sticks for variety.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop and Optional Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe (about 1/2 cup)
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 770mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: cheesy queso dip, Rotel queso, ranch queso, party dip, Velveeta dip, ground beef queso, appetizer recipe
