Slow Cooker Sausage Cheese Dip
This slow cooker sausage cheese dip is the only party dip recipe you'll ever need. This is the one dip that guests will hover around until the Crockpot is scraped clean.
Best of all, it needs just 15 minutes of prep time, 3 ingredients and your trusty slow cooker to do the magic. Just like my Crockpot taco queso, it's perfect to prep ahead of time- so you can actually enjoy the party.
Whether you're making this for game day or just a casual weekend get-together, this dip fits every occasion. It pairs perfectly alongside other shareable bites like my taco pretzel bites, tortilla chips or nachos and my epic taco charcuterie board.
The best part? You can customize the heat level and also experiment with mix-ins and additions!
Quick Look: Slow Cooker Sausage Cheese Dip
- ⏱ Prep Time: 15 minutes
- 🔥 Cook Time: 2 hours
- ⏳ Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- 🧉 Serving: 10 servings
- ⚡ Calories: 359 calories per serving
- 🍂 Flavor Profile: Meaty, cheesy and slightly spicy!
- 👌 Difficulty: Extremely easy- just like my Mardi Gras brownie dip.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's super easy. You'll need only three ingredients and 15 minutes of hands-on prep- the slow cooker does the heavy lifting.
- It's completely customizable. You can make it mild and crowd-friendly (like my stovetop spinach artichoke dip) or double up the heat- whatever you prefer.
- It stays warm in the slow cooker throughout the whole party, so you never have to worry about it going cold.
Recipe Ingredients
- Cheese: Velveeta is the gold standard here because it melts completely smooth and stays creamy throughout the party without separating or becoming grainy. Regular shredded cheese won't give you the same consistency.
- Pork sausage: Stick to a standard breakfast-style pork sausage like Jimmy Dean or Bob Evans.
- Salsa: I used chunky salsa here to give it a bit of texture and keep it from becoming too smooth. You can use mild, medium or hot- whatever you prefer. I had some leftover after making my taco tot casserole, so I used it.
See the recipe card below for exact quantities.
Recipe Variations, Additions, and Substitutions
- Extra spicy: Use hot salsa or spicy sausage to amp up the spice level. Sometimes, I like to add in my spice blend that I used while making my homemade Chipotle mayo.
- Bulk it up: Brown the sausage with diced bell peppers and onions for added flavor and texture. This is especially good if you're serving a crowd that prefers something heartier.
- Protein swap: Ground beef works in place of sausage for a slightly milder, more classic flavor. Chorizo is another great option if you want more smokiness.
- Cheese swap: White Velveeta gives the dip a slightly milder, creamier flavor. Yellow Velveeta is the classic go-to. Both work incredibly well for this recipe.
How to Make Slow Cooker Sausage Cheese Dip
- Crumble the sausage into a large skillet over medium heat. Cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until fully browned with no pink remaining. This should take about 8-10 minutes. Drain off all the excess grease and set aside.
- Cut the Velveeta into cubes and add them to the slow cooker. Add the browned sausage and pour in the entire jar of salsa. Give everything a quick stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours, stirring once halfway through, until the Velveeta is completely melted and the dip is smooth and creamy. Switch to the 'warm' setting to keep it at the perfect temperature throughout your party.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Drain the sausage thoroughly. Excess grease in the slow cooker will make the dip oily and affect the texture.
- Cut the Velveeta into smaller cubes (about 1-inch) so it melts evenly without hot spots. Large chunks take much longer to melt and can cause uneven consistency.
- Add some chopped Gherkin pickles (like I did when I made my Grinch cheese ball) for some extra flavor and briny deliciousness.
- Stir once halfway through cooking to help everything incorporate smoothly and check that nothing is sticking to the sides.
- Serving a large crowd? Double the recipe. This scales up perfectly and a full double batch fits comfortably in a 6-quart slow cooker.
Serving Ideas & Suggestions
This slow cooker sausage cheese dip is a fantastic party spread. Set it in the center and build around it. You can use tortilla chips thin wheat crackers, soft sourdough discard pretzels, and sliced baguette as dippers.
For a full game day or party table, pair it with my creamy Southwestern corn dip or feature it on my Taco charcuterie board. Round out the drinks table with the Fruity Pebbles margarita or a batch of crown cran apple shooters and you've got a full party spread sorted.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. You can brown the sausage up to a day ahead and refrigerate it. Then, simply add everything to the slow cooker and cook. The dip itself can also be made fully ahead and reheated in the slow cooker on low, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can reheat it in the microwave in 30-second intervals, or in the slow cooker on low for about an hour.
This usually happens when the heat is too high for too long. Velveeta can break down if it cooks on high for more than 2-3 hours. Switch to warm' once the cheese is fully melted to keep it smooth and creamy throughout your event.
Yes, you can. Simply combine all ingredients in a large saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently until the Velveeta is completely melted, which takes about 15-20 minutes.
More Easy Dips & Appetizers Recipes
If you tried this slow cooker sausage cheese dip or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments. I love hearing from you!
Slow Cooker Sausage Cheese Dip
Ingredients
- 32 ounces Velveeta cheese cut into cubes
- 24 ounce Salsa
- 16 ounces Sausage
Instructions
- Cut the Velveeta cheese into cubes and place them in the crockpot.
- In a large skillet, brown the sausage over medium heat until the meat is completely browned. Drain.
- Place the browned sausage in the crockpot with the cheese.
- Add in the salsa.
- Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or until cheese is fully melted.
- Stir, then serve with tortilla chips & enjoy
Notes
- Drain the sausage thoroughly. Excess grease in the slow cooker will make the dip oily and affect the texture.
- Cut the Velveeta into small cubes to help it melt evenly without hot spots.
- Stir once halfway through cooking to help everything incorporate smoothly and check that nothing is sticking to the sides.
Nutrition
