Velveeta Sausage Cheese Dip (Easy Crockpot Recipe)

This Velveeta sausage cheese dip is a ridiculously easy, three-ingredient party staple made right in the crock pot. Creamy, salty, and deeply nostalgic, it stays warm and scoopable for hours as the sausage flavor melts into the Velveeta, which is exactly why it works so well for feeding a crowd! It’s simple, familiar, and exactly the kind of low-effort dip people keep coming back to until the crockpot is scraped clean.

Bowl of velveeta sausage cheese dip surrounded by tortilla chips.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love Velveeta Sausage Cheese Dip

Some dips never go out of style! Just like our classic spinach dip or easy artichoke dip, this Velveeta sausage cheese dip has been a longtime crowd favorite that’s stuck around for decades for good reason! It’s easy enough for a teenager to make without supervision and dependable enough for busy parents juggling carpools, practices, and guests coming through the door. You brown some sausage, dump everything into the slow cooker, and let it do the work while you focus on everything else!

I’ll admit that processed cheese isn’t usually my go-to, but there’s something about the creamy texture of Velveeta that makes this dip nearly impossible to resist. It melts smoothly, stays scoopable, and delivers that familiar flavor everyone loves. When you’re building a full appetizer spread for game day or a casual get-together, this dip fits right in alongside other favorites like our hot crab dip or the ultra-comforting lasagna dip! One batch easily feeds a crowd, making it perfect for game day parties, potlucks, or any gathering where people tend to hover near the dip table.

Courtney

Ingredients You’ll Need

Two cans of Rotel, one box of Velveeta, one tube of sausage.

Velveeta Cheese: Velveeta is the backbone of this recipe and the reason the dip stays smooth and creamy for hours. If you prefer a cheese dip made with fresh cheddar cheese, check out our delicious ground beef queso dip.
Ground Sausage: Regular ground breakfast sausage is my usual pick, but this recipe is flexible. Hot breakfast sausage or spicy Italian sausage both work if you want more heat. You could also use ground beef seasoned with taco seasoning.
Salsa or Rotel: Rotel canned tomatoes with green chiles is the classic pick for this queso, but you can also substitute a large jar of your favorite salsa for the Rotel.
Optional Toppings: Fresh cilantro and sliced jalapeños add color and a little freshness right before serving.

How to Make Velveeta Sausage and Cheese Dip

Step 1: Add the sausage to a large skillet set over medium heat. Break it up into medium chunks with a spatula, spreading it evenly across the pan. Continue to brown and toss the sausage, breaking it up into smaller pieces as you go, until no pink remains. Drain any excess grease and set aside.

Slow cooker filled with cubed velveeta cheese, salsa, and sausage crumbles.

Step 2: Cut the Velveeta cheese into large cubes and place them into the slow cooker. Dump the salsa on top, then add the sausage crumbles, leaving any excess grease behind. Give everything a good stir.

Melted velveeta, sausage, and salsa in a crock pot.

Step 3: Turn the slow cooker to the low heat setting and cook for two hours. Stir the dip. If it’s still clumpy at all, add another 30 minutes to the cooking time, then stir again until the cheese is fully melted and smooth.

Crock pot full of velveeta sausage cheese dip.

Step 4: Switch the slow cooker to the warm setting while serving. Garnish with cilantro and jalapeños if desired.

Tips for Keeping It Smooth

I’ve made this creamy, slow cooker queso countless times for parties, and keeping the heat low is the one thing that consistently keeps it smooth from the first scoop to the last!
Once the cheese has melted, turn the crock pot to the “warm” setting and try to give it a stir every 20 minutes or so.
Velveeta will develop a skin if it isn’t stirred for a long time. This is perfectly fine to eat, but it doesn’t look super appetizing. Regular stirring can prevent this.
If the dip thickens too much while serving, stir in more salsa or rotel or a few splashes of milk to loosen it up.

Hand holding a chip dipped in velveeta queso.

Make Ahead and Storage Tips

Let any leftover dip cool, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. The dip can be made ahead of time and kept on the warm setting of the slow cooker for an additional couple of hours if needed.
If you’d like to make it earlier in the day, prepare it as directed, let it cool to room temperature, then keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. Reheat in the slow cooker on low, stirring occasionally, or reheat individual servings in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth.
We don’t recommend freezing. Cheese-based dips tend to separate and turn grainy once thawed, which affects both texture and flavor!

Two bowls of queso dip with sausage on a plate with tortilla chips.

Serving Suggestions

You’ll want plenty of sturdy tortilla chips for this dip since it’s thick and hearty. Homemade chips, like these air fryer tortilla chips, hold up especially well! We also love topping the dip with fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, or a squeeze of lime juice for a little brightness.

Ceramic bowl filled with velveeta cheese dip and topped with cilantro and jalapenos.

Recipe FAQs

Can you make this Velveeta sausage cheese dip vegetarian?

Yes! To make this Velveeta sausage cheese dip vegetarian, swap the sausage for a plant-based sausage or omit it completely.

How long can Velveeta sausage cheese dip stay warm?

Velveeta sausage cheese dip can stay on the warm setting of a slow cooker for 2-3 hours, making it ideal for parties and game day. Stir it occasionally to keep the texture smooth, and avoid turning the heat to high once the cheese has melted!

Can I make this velveeta cheese dip with sausage on the stove?

Yes, this dip is easy to make on the stove! Brown the sausage in a skillet, then lower the heat and add the Velveeta, stirring often until melted and smooth. Keep the heat low to prevent scorching, and serve warm right away or transfer to a slow cooker to keep it warm for guests.

How do you keep velveeta cheese dip from hardening?

The best way to keep velveeta-based dips creamy is to keep them warm and stir regularly. This is why we prefer to make and serve this dip in the crock pot. Keep the slow cooker on warm, and stir occasionally to keep the queso nice and smooth.

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