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Easy Velveeta Sausage Cheese Dip

Dive into my Sausage Cheese Dip recipe, perfect for tailgating or family movie night. It’s a sure-fire crowd-pleaser!

Sausage cheese dip in a small brown bowl.

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This is one of my favorite old standby recipes! It’s based on the famous Velveeta RoTel Queso dip that everyone loves but with a few additions of my own.

It’s great for your big game day spread, Super Bowl Sunday, or just about any casual occasion. And, honestly, I’ve never met anyone who didn’t like this super easy appetizer. Never. It’s one of the easiest party dip recipes I have and you can change out the simple ingredients in lots of ways to suit yourself.

I remember serving this easy sausage dip once when we had a bunch of people over. One of our friends brought their pre-teen son on this occasion. It turned out that he’d never had this type of dip before and was a bit reluctant to try it at first. It took one bite. He was hooked. I thought that little guy was going to literally lick the bowl clean. That was years and years ago and BeeBop and I still laugh about it today.

Now I know this particular recipe is not the lightest, healthiest choice. There’s nothing delicate or fussy about it. It kind of falls into the category that I call “grub.” And sometimes, especially when there’s a game going on, you just crave a bit of “grub.” With a nice, cold adult beverage. This one satisfies that craving perfectly.

❤️ Why We Love This Recipe


  • It’s versatile – whether you prefer your dip mild or with a kick, this recipe is easily adaptable. Swap in your favorite type of sausage or opt for a spicier salsa to tailor the dip to your preference.
  • A crowd pleaser – with its cheesy, savory flavors, this dip is a favorite of both kids and adults.
  • Simple and quick – with just a few pantry staples and minimal cooking time, you’ll have a big bowl of cheesy goodness ready in no time.

🛒 Ingredient Notes


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  • Cooking Spray – Prevents the sausage from sticking and burning. If you don’t have it on hand, use a teaspoon of olive oil or butter.
  • Pan Sausage – Pan sausage is also called breakfast sausage or bulk sausage. While the recipe calls for mild pork sausage, you can also use Italian sausage, spicy sausage, or even ground turkey sausage. I always have good results with Jimmy Dean brand sausage.
  • Velveeta Cheese – This cheese melts beautifully, giving the dip a creamy texture.
  • Salsa – Choose a high-quality brand of salsa, such as Herdez or Pace, for the best flavor. Use your choice of mild, medium, or hot, depending on your heat preference.
  • Sour Cream – Adds creaminess to the dip.
  • Corn ChipsFritos are my first choice for chips to go with this dip. You can also serve tortilla chips or pretzels.

You’ll find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe at the bottom of this post.

🔪 How to Make Sausage Cheese Dip


Sausage browning in a skillet.
  1. Place a large skillet over medium heat. Spray liberally with cooking spray.
  2. Break up the sausage into the pan and cook, stirring and separating the sausage until no pink color remains.
  3. Remove the sausage to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess grease.
Cheese and salsa in a skillet.
  1. Cut the Velveeta into small pieces, roughly 1 inch, and add it with the salsa to the same skillet. No need to clean the pan in between. And don’t worry if there’s some sausage stuck to the bottom; it’ll come up and become part of the dip 😊.
  2. Reduce the heat to medium-low to low. Stir constantly until the cheese is completely melted.
Sour cream and pepper added to cheese mixture in skillet.
Cooked sausage added to dip in a skillet.
  1. Add the sour cream, pepper, and drained sausage. Stir until thoroughly combined.
  2. Serve with corn chips for dipping.

🍽️ Serving Tips


  • This recipe makes 4 servings. You can multiply it as many times as you wish to serve your guests.
  • When serving the dip, keep it warm in a slow cooker or fondue pot on a low setting.

🔀 Recipe Variations


  • Vegetarian Option: Replace the breakfast sausage with a plant-based sausage alternative for a similar texture while keeping it meat-free.
  • All-American Version: Replace the sausage with cooked, crumbled ground beef. Replace the salsa with mild rotel tomatoes, and top with cooked crumbled bacon.
  • Seafood Version: Substitute the sausage with cooked and crumbled crab meat or small peeled shrimp.
  • Turn Up the Heat: Incorporate chopped jalapeños, green chiles, or a splash of your favorite hot sauce. Use spicy sausage, or choose a hot salsa variation to enhance the spice level.
  • Tex-Mex Twist: Mix in drained and rinsed black beans and whole kernel corn to add a southwestern flair.
  • Italian Version: Replace the breakfast sausage with sweet or spicy Italian sausage. Add some sun-dried tomatoes, a little garlic powder, and fresh basil.

🍚 How to Store


Allow leftovers to cool to room temperature. Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, give it a good stir, and gently reheat it on the stove or in a microwave until warmed through. May be frozen for 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating and serving.

❓ Questions About Sausage Cheese Dip


Can I use a different type of cheese besides Velveeta?

Velveeta has a unique creamy texture that other cheeses don’t have. You can try others like cheddar or Monterey Jack, but they won’t melt as smoothly and will likely become oily.

What can I pair with this other than corn chips?

This cheesy dip pairs well with tortilla chips, crusty bread, pretzels, sliced bell peppers, and even celery sticks for a crunchier option.

Can I make it ahead of time?

Sure can! Prepared it a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat over low heat on the stove or microwave before serving.

How can I make it spicier?

Add more black pepper, some red pepper flakes, a spicier salsa, or mix in some chopped jalapeños or hot sauce for more heat.

Why did my dip turn out grainy?

Graininess can result from overheating the cheese or using cheeses that don’t melt smoothly. To prevent this, use Velveeta brand cheese, stir well, and a medium to medium-low heat setting.

Lana Stuart.

More Questions? I’m happy to help!

If you have more questions about the recipe, or if you’ve made it and would like to leave a comment, scroll down to leave your thoughts, questions, and/or rating!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

📖 Recipe

Sausage cheese dip in a small brown bowl.

Sausage Cheese Dip

Dive into my Sausage Cheese Dip recipe, perfect for tailgating or family movie night. It's a sure-fire crowd-pleaser!
4.86 from 7 votes
Print It Rate It Save Text It
Course: Appetizers
Cuisine: Southwestern
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 233kcal
Author: Lana Stuart

Ingredients

  • Cooking spray
  • 4 ounces pan sausage
  • 8 ounces Velveeta cheese
  • ½ cup salsa
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Place a medium skillet over medium heat. Spray liberally with cooking spray.
  • Break up the sausage into the pan and cook, stirring and separating the sausage until no pink color remains.
  • Remove the sausage to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
  • Cut the Velveeta into roughly 1-inch chunks and add it with the salsa to the same skillet.
  • Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir constantly until the cheese is completely melted.
  • Add the sour cream, pepper, and drained sausage. Stir until thoroughly combined.
  • Serve with corn chips for dipping.

Notes

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can multiply it as many times as you wish to serve your guests. I use mild sausage and mild salsa but feel free to use hot versions of each if you like it really spicy!

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 | Calories 233kcal | Carbohydrates 9g | Protein 16g | Fat 15g | Saturated Fat 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat 1g | Monounsaturated Fat 4g | Trans Fat 1g | Cholesterol 47mg | Sodium 1313mg | Potassium 369mg | Fiber 1g | Sugar 6g | Vitamin A 772IU | Vitamin C 1mg | Calcium 345mg | Iron 1mg

Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.

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— This post was originally published on October 16, 2013. It has been updated with additional information.

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14 Comments

  1. Bonnie P. says:

    I love this dip but used to call it Gallbladder Dip. Every time I ate it my gallbladder hurt! I eventually had my gallbladder removed but still enjoy the dip from time to time.

  2. Julie Andrews says:

    The Sausage Cheese Dip sounds delicious!!!! I will make it @ my next Bunco Party and see what the girls think of it; I know they will love it! I will also make the Creamy Cheese Balls. We always have the ones without the cream cheese and they are a bit dry, and I will also make the deviled Eggs.
    Thank for sharing all your wonderful, easy recipes!

  3. Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says:

    This is one of my all-time favorites, Lana. LOVE!!!!

  4. Yum yum yum!! This stuff looks so good Lana!

  5. Barbara | Creative Culinary says:

    Are you sure we weren’t neighbors; I recall so many of your vintage recipes it’s amazing…including this one. Always warm and satisfying; wish I had some now!

    1. Lana Stuart says:

      Probably because we both likely started cooking during the same timeframe. You know…back when people actually shared recipes without worrying about who they “belonged” to? Sorry, couldn’t resist :-)

  6. what’s “pan” sausage?

    1. Lana Stuart says:

      Stef – it’s the loose sausage, not links. Like the rolls of sausage you might see in the grocery store with the Jimmy Dean brand label.

  7. Ha ha ha, I love it. Grub. That is so funny! Ha ha ha, I’ve made plenty of it just never had anything to call it. I’ve even made a few batches of this dip. Grub. Ha ha. Thanks for making my day. Ha ha ha ha.

    Cheers,
    Rocquie

    1. Lana Stuart says:

      Glad you’re amused, Rocquie :-)

  8. That’s just not fair. This dip is addictive.

    By the way, made your sausage swirls last night, and served with a lovely green salad for a healthy supper. It was really good.

    Miss P

    1. Lana Stuart says:

      I know. Life’s not fair. Have another chip or two and a cold beverage and it’ll be alright :-)

      Glad y’all enjoyed the sausage swirls!

  9. Norma | Allspice and Nutmeg says:

    We all need “grub” in our lives from time to time. I have to make something for a potluck and I think I found the recipe I need. Thanks!

    1. Lana Stuart says:

      This is great for potlucks, Norma! It does need to be kept hot, but keeps really well in a crock-pot for several hours.