Easy Velveeta Sausage Cheese Dip Recipe
My Easy Velveeta Sausage Cheese Dip is the kind of recipe that can win over any crowd, whether it’s game day or family movie night. This hearty dip is guaranteed to disappear before halftime!
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 crowd 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 that 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.
Recipe Snapshot
Cuisine: Southwestern
Cooking Method: Stovetop
Total Time: 15 Minutes
Servings: 4
Primary Ingredient(s): Sausage, Velveeta cheese, salsa, sour cream
Skill Level: Easy
What You’ll Like About This Recipe
- It’s versatile! Whether you like 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 suit yourself.
- It’s a crowd pleaser for both kids and adults.
- Very simple and quick. You’ll need just a few ingredients and very little time to create a big bowl of cheesy goodness.
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 product 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 Chips – Fritos Scoops are my first choice for chips to go with this dip. You can also serve tortilla chips or pretzels.
The complete ingredient list with detailed measurements is included in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Sausage Cheese Dip
- Place a large 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 any excess grease.
- Add the cubed Velveeta and 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.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low to 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.
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.
- 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 boost the spice level.
- Tex-Mex Twist: Mix in drained and rinsed black beans and whole kernel corn to add more southwestern flavors.
- 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 the microwave until warmed through. May be frozen for 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating and serving.
More Recipes You’ll Like
Questions About Sausage Cheese Dip
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 are likely to become oily.
This cheesy dip pairs well with tortilla chips, crusty bread, pretzels, sliced bell peppers, and even celery sticks for a crunchier option.
Sure can! Prepare it a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat over low heat on the stove or in the microwave before serving.
Graininess can result from overheating the cheese or using cheeses that don’t melt smoothly. To prevent this, use Velveeta brand cheese and stir well on a medium to medium-low heat setting.
Have a question or thought to share?
If you have a question about the recipe or if you’ve made it and want to share how it turned out, I would truly enjoy hearing from you. Just scroll down to leave a comment or add your star rating.
Thank you for stopping by. It means a lot to have you here.
Recipe
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Place a medium skillet over medium heat. Spray liberally with cooking spray.
Cooking spray
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Break up the sausage into the pan and cook, stirring and separating the sausage until no pink color remains.
4 ounces pan sausage
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Remove the sausage to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
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Add the Velveeta and salsa to the same skillet.
8 ounces Velveeta cheese, ½ cup salsa
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Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir constantly until the cheese is completely melted.
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Add the sour cream, pepper, and drained sausage. Stir until thoroughly combined.
2 tablespoons sour cream, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
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Serve with corn chips for dipping.
- This recipe makes 4 servings. You can multiply it as many times as you wish to serve your guests.
- I prefer mild sausage and mild salsa, but feel free to use hot versions of each if you like it really spicy!
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.
— This post was originally published on October 16, 2013. It has been updated with new photos and additional information.
I’m Lana Stuart, an award-winning cookbook author, food blogger, and lifelong cook raised deep in Southwest Georgia. I started Lana’s Cooking in 2009 to share the tried-and-true recipes I grew up with. Around here, the food is full of flavor, the traditions run deep, and there’s always room at the table.
