Spare Spoons Kitchen
Ro*Tel Cheese Dip
The South's default party dip — a block of melty process cheese and a can of Ro*Tel tomatoes and green chilies, and that's the whole recipe. Quick, easy, and gone first at every gathering.
Ingredients
Easier, if you like
- The microwave is the easy route: cube the cheese into a covered dish with the can of Ro*Tel and microwave at 50% power, stirring every few minutes, until smooth (about 10–12 minutes).
- Melt it in a small slow cooker and leave it on "warm" through the whole party.
Method
Cook's notes
Two ingredients, one party staple. Ro*Tel printed this on the can and it became the South's default cheese dip. Velveeta-style "process cheese" is what melts so smooth — real cheddar would break and turn oily.
Don't drain the can. The tomato-and-chili liquid thins the cheese to a dippable consistency.
Keep it warm to serve — it firms up as it cools, so reheat gently with a splash of milk if it stiffens.
Heartier version: stir in a half-pound of browned, drained sausage or ground beef.
Pairs with everything on the table — it's the dip alongside chili nights and game days.
Adjust the heat (it's already vegetarian and gluten-free)
Gluten-free: it already is — Velveeta-style process cheese and Ro*Tel are both gluten-free (check the labels to be sure).
Spicier or milder: use Hot Ro*Tel (or stir in pickled jalapeños) for more heat; Mild Ro*Tel, or half Ro*Tel and half plain diced tomatoes, for less.
See Betty’s original page
