Skillet Rotel Dip Recipe with Ground Beef & Sausage

Easy skillet Rotel dip with savory ground beef, melted cheese, and zesty tomatoes — this camping recipe is perfect for feeding a crowd!

While this easy Rotel dip recipe is one of those party foods that is perfect for game nights and holiday parties at home, it also makes an ideal addition to your camping menu. Cast iron is our go-to for tons of camping meal and snack recipes, so we always have at least one large skillet in our camp kitchen.

It is the perfect pan for cooking on over a fire. We highly recommend everyone has one so that they can make this easy skillet Rotel dip!

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Today’s cheesy Rotel dip with ground beef and sausage is just the kind of recipe we want — quick, easy, and delicious. This flavorful dip is always a crowd pleaser.

It makes a great snack to enjoy around the campfire in the evening. It is also an easy appetizer to throw together after a long day of hiking or hanging out at the beach, when our boys just can’t wait for dinner and everyone is on the verge of becoming hangry.

Skillet Rotel Dip

When we put together a camping menu, we look for meal and snack recipes with a short cook time and simple ingredients. We don’t want to spend so much time prepping food that we miss out on all the fun of camping!

Loaded with great flavor, this easy cheesy dip recipe is going to be a hit with the whole family. Check out the full instructions, along with step-by-step photos, below.

What is Rotel?

Rotel is a brand of diced tomatoes made with a blend of vine-ripened tomatoes, zesty green chilies, and mixture of secret spices.

What Can I Substitute for Rotel?

Canned diced tomatoes are a standard substitute, but they lack the spicy flavor profile. Chunky salsa, with its tomato base and hot peppers, is the best choice.

Tips and Tricks

• If your family doesn’t love Italian sausage, just switch it out. You could try substituting another kind of mild sausage, a spicy sausage, ground turkey, ground chicken, or just add more of the cooked ground beef.
• Substitute some of the meat for kidney or black beans.
• For more of a spicy dip, add in some hot taco seasoning or chili powder.
• When planning for camping, we like to do as much meal prep as possible before we leave. Having easy access to hot running water makes cleanup much easier.
• Brown hamburger meat and ground sausage at home to make this dip even easier. Pack it in Ziploc bags for flexible storage.

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Tips for Cooking With Cast Iron

• When cooking with cast iron, be sure to season the surface first.
• Always use gloves or oven mitts while cooking, as the surface of the iron will be hot.
• Cook the recipe over an open fire using hot coals, not open flames. A fire that is too hot will burn the outside of your recipe and not cook the inside. Learn how to make a campfire for cooking.
• Be sure to clean the cast iron with a rough vegetable scrubber, rinse, and dry thoroughly before storing.

Ingredients

• Velveeta cheese, cubed – The ultra-melty base that makes this dip smooth, creamy, and completely irresistible.
• Can of Rotel tomatoes – Diced tomatoes with green chilies that add just the right amount of zip and flavor without extra effort.
• Lean ground beef, cooked – Hearty and savory, this keeps the dip filling enough to hold everyone over until dinner.
• Italian sausage, cooked – Adds bold, seasoned flavor that takes this dip from good to over-the-top.
• Monterey jack cheese, shredded – Melts beautifully and adds extra cheesy goodness. You could use a different cheese, such as white cheddar, if you prefer.

Instructions

1. Place all of the ingredients into an 8” skillet.

2. Heat the grill to 350 F, cover the skillet in foil, and cook for 25 minutes.

3. Stir dip and bake for another 5 minutes.

4. Serve with tortilla chips for dipping.

What to Serve With Skillet Rotel Dip

• A variety of chips — pita chips, bagel chips, corn chips, tortilla chips
• Slices of baguette or crusty bread
• Fresh veggies cut into sticks

How to Store Rotel Dip

Store leftovers in the fridge or a cooler in an airtight container.

For more dip recipes that are perfect for your next camping trip, take a look at this cheesy foil packet campfire dip, chili cheese camping dip, and loaded cheesy skillet dip too!

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