Description
Hearty Rotel dip with ground beef brings zesty southwestern comfort to game day gatherings. Creamy cheese and spicy tomatoes mingle with seasoned beef, creating an irresistible crowd-pleasing appetizer you’ll crave at every party.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup cooked and drained ground beef
Dairy:
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Canned/Jarred Ingredients:
- 1 can (10 oz) rotel tomatoes with green chilies
- 1/2 cup beef broth or water
Seasonings:
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
Optional Garnish:
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat and thoroughly brown the ground beef, breaking it into fine crumbles until no pink remains and a deep golden crust develops.
- Drain excess fat from the beef, reserving 1 cup of the cooked meat for the dip, and set aside.
- Lower the skillet’s temperature to medium-low and add softened cream cheese, stirring until it begins to melt smoothly.
- Incorporate the drained ground beef back into the skillet, mixing it gently with the cream cheese.
- Pour in the Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, stirring to distribute the ingredients evenly throughout the mixture.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the surface, allowing it to gradually melt and create a rich, creamy consistency.
- Season the dip with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, stirring to ensure all spices are well integrated.
- If the mixture seems too thick, slowly add beef broth or water to achieve a desirable, dippable texture.
- Continue cooking for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and ensure all ingredients are heated through.
- Transfer the hot dip to a serving bowl and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and thinly sliced green onions.
- Serve immediately with tortilla chips, crackers, or fresh vegetable sticks for dipping.
Notes
- Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent a greasy dip and ensure a clean, robust flavor profile.
- Select lean ground beef (90/10 or 93/7) for a healthier version without compromising the rich, creamy texture.
- Customize spice levels by adjusting seasonings or using mild/hot Rotel tomatoes based on personal heat preferences.
- Transform into a low-carb option by serving with cucumber slices, bell pepper strips, or pork rinds instead of traditional chips.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 440
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg