This Slow Cooker Sausage Dip is the ultimate hands-off appetizer—rich, creamy, and packed with savory sausage, melted cheese, and just the right kick of spice. Made with simple pantry ingredients, it simmers unattended while you mingle, making it ideal for game day, holidays, or casual get-togethers.
Serve it warm with tortilla chips, pretzels, or crusty bread—and watch it disappear fast.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Creamy, cheesy, and deeply savory
10 minutes prep, then walk away
One slow cooker = easy serving + cleanup
Costs under $8—feeds 8–10 generously
Naturally nut-free & easily gluten-free (check sausage label)
Ingredients You’ll Need
(4–6 quart slow cooker)
- 1 lb (450g) ground Italian sausage (mild or spicy), cooked and drained
- 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 (10 oz) can rotel tomatoes with green chilies(mild or hot)
- 1 cup (240ml) sour cream
- 2 cups (8 oz) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (4 oz) shredded Monterey Jack or pepper jack cheese
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Optional:
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Dash of hot sauce or smoked paprika
Pro Tips:
- Drain sausage well—excess grease makes dip greasy.
- Use block cheese, not pre-shredded—it melts smoother.
- Stir once halfway if you’re home—but not required!
Step-by-Step Instructions (Creamy, Spicy, Foolproof
1. BROWN THE SAUSAGE
- Cook sausage in a skillet over medium heat until browned. Drain fat thoroughly. Set aside.
2. COMBINE IN SLOW COOKER
- Add cooked sausage, cream cheese, rotel, sour cream, cheddar, Monterey Jack, and garlic powder to the slow cooker.
3. COOK LOW & SLOW
- Cover and cook on LOW for 2–3 hours or HIGH for 1–1.5 hours, stirring once or twice if possible, until smooth and bubbly.
4. SERVE WARM
- Stir well before serving.
- Garnish with green onions or extra cheese.
- Keep warm on WARM setting during your gathering.
Serving Suggestions
Dippers: Tortilla chips, pretzels, baguette slices, crackers, celery sticks
Spice it up: Add diced jalapeños or extra hot rotel
Garlic lovers: Stir in roasted garlic or extra garlic powder
Make it a bar: Set out toppings like bacon bits, extra cheese, or pickled onions
Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
- Fridge: Assemble (uncooked) in slow cooker insert; refrigerate overnight. Add 15–30 mins to cook time.
- Reheat: Gently warm on stove or in microwave with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
- Leftovers: Keep up to 4 days—great reheated or used as a baked potato topping!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Gluten-free?
A: Yes! Just ensure sausage is GF-certified (many contain fillers).
Q: Can I use turkey sausage?
A: Yes—but add 1 tbsp olive oil for moisture.
Q: Too thick?
A: Stir in 2–3 tbsp milk, broth, or more rotel juice.
Q: No rotel?
A: Substitute with 1 cup diced tomatoes + 1–2 chopped green chilies.
The Heart of the Dip
This isn’t just an appetizer—it’s a warm welcome in a bowl. It’s what you make when you want to feed a crowd without stress, spark conversation, and keep everyone coming back for “just one more chip.”
So brown that sausage, toss everything in the slow cooker, and trust the process. Because the best gatherings aren’t complicated—they’re cheesy, spicy, and made with love.