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Best Easy Smoked Sausage Queso Dip for Game Day

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This easy smoked sausage queso dip for game day is a crowd-pleasing, smoky, and creamy cheese dip made with smoked sausage, cream cheese, cheddar, and Rotel tomatoes. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s the perfect stress-free appetizer for any gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz smoked sausage, sliced into bite-sized rounds
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 can (10 oz) Rotel tomatoes and green chiles, undrained
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp salt, or to taste
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced (optional)
  • 2 tbsp chopped cilantro (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Brown the smoked sausage: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the butter. Once melted and sizzling, add the sliced smoked sausage in a single layer. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned on both sides and crispy on the edges. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  2. Start the cheese base: In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, add the cream cheese and stir constantly until softened and melted, about 2 minutes. Keep stirring until completely smooth.
  3. Add the milk and Rotel: Pour in the milk and the undrained can of Rotel tomatoes and green chiles. Stir until combined.
  4. Add the shredded cheeses: Gradually add the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, one handful at a time, stirring constantly. Let each handful fully melt before adding the next, about 5-7 minutes total, until the dip is thick, creamy, and slightly bubbling.
  5. Season the dip: Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and salt. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add diced jalapeño if desired.
  6. Add the sausage back in: Fold the browned smoked sausage into the queso. Stir until evenly distributed. Cook for another 2 minutes to meld flavors.
  7. Transfer to a slow cooker (optional): Pour into a slow cooker set to ‘warm’ to keep the dip dippable for hours. If serving immediately, skip this step.
  8. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped cilantro on top. Serve with tortilla chips, pretzel bites, or sliced baguette.

Notes

For the smoothest queso, shred your own cheese from a block—pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make the dip grainy. If the dip thickens too much as it sits, stir in a splash of milk to bring it back to the right consistency. This dip tastes even better the next day as flavors meld.

Nutrition

Keywords: queso dip, smoked sausage queso, game day dip, easy queso, cheesy dip, party appetizer, slow cooker queso

Find it online: https://elaraeats.com/best-easy-smoked-sausage-queso-dip-for-game-day/