Crockpot Cheese Dip is the easiest, cheesiest, crowd-pleasing party appetizer possible! Grab your slow cooker because this creamy queso recipe is great for game day get-togethers, tailgates, Cinco de Mayo parties, or last-minute gatherings.

Tortilla chip dipped into creamy crockpot cheese dip with ground meat and spices.

Slow Cooker Cheese Dip

This Crockpot Cheese Dip is the ultimate party pleaser, combining rich, creamy textures and bold flavors in every bite. But want to know the best part about this queso dip recipe (other than the taste)? It is so easy to make when you use the set-it-and-forget-it method: simply dump, stir, and walk away while the appliance does all the work!

While it may only take minutes to put together, this Velveeta cheese crock pot dip recipe provides hours of delicious eating that tastes as good at the end of the evening as it did from the start. So good, you’ll want to skip the dippers and eat it straight from the spoon.

Are cheese dips and queso Dips the same?

Although “queso” and “cheese dip” are often synonyms, they aren’t exactly the same. Queso typically describes a melted cheese sauce (such as cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese) mixed with milk and seasoned with diced tomatoes or green chiles, giving it a signature spicy kick. Some even add meat to queso, like ground beef or spicy sausage.

In contrast, “cheese dip” is a broader term encompassing any melted cheese-based sauce, which might or might not include extra ingredients like spices or vegetables. Queso is a distinct variety of cheese dip, particularly celebrated in Tex-Mex cuisine for its chili-forward flavor.

Ingredients for the Best Velveeta Crock Pot Cheese Dip

Velveeta cheese
Mild cheddar cheese: You can use medium or sharp cheddar cheese or even pepper Jack cheese.
Pico de Gallo: Fresh pico de gallo tastes delicious in this dish, but you can also use a can of Rotel, which is drained.
Milk: I recommend 1% or fat free milk for this dip, however you can use 2% or whole milk if necessary. Be careful not to add too much excess fat to the dish, or it may split and have little grease puddles on the top.
Pork sausage: You can substitute seasoned ground beef or chorizo or another crumbled meat if you prefer. For a healthier alternative, use ground turkey or ground chicken instead. For a vegetarian queso, simply omit the meat or substitute it with a plant-based alternative.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Creamy crockpot cheese dip with visible chunks of ground meat and diced tomatoes.

How to Make Crockpot Cheese Dip: Step-by-Step Guide

Assemble: Layer the Velveeta, cheddar cheese, Pico de Gallo, milk, and sausage in the slow cooker and stir slightly.
Cook: Cover and heat on low heat for 2-3 hours or until completely melted and smooth, stirring every 30 minutes.
Serve: Turn the crockpot to warm and serve warm with garnishes and your favorite dippers on the side.

Crockpot with layered ingredients, melted cheese mix, and finished smooth cheese dip.

How To Make Crock Pot Cheese Dip On The Stove Top

No crock pot? No problem! You can make this cheese dip on the stovetop over medium heat. Or, prepare it quickly on the stove and then transfer it to your slow cooker. Keep it heated in the warm setting and serve it when your guests arrive.

What to Serve with Crock Pot Cheese Dip

This easy Velveeta cheese dip is always a hit when paired with the perfect dippers. Here are some crowd-pleasing options to serve alongside your Crock Pot Cheese Dip:

Serve With Scoopables: French baguette slices, bagel chips, tortilla chips, crackers, soft pretzels, Tostitos Scoops, or even Fritos corn chips are great for scooping and dipping. You can also serve your cheese dip with some fresh vegetables like carrot sticks, celery, bell pepper strips, cucumbers, or broccoli florets.

Tasty Toppings: You can garnish your cheese dip with tortilla chips, pico de gallo, sour cream, fresh cilantro, diced avocados, sliced black olives, and jalapeños.

Skip The Dippers: Spoon your cheese sauce over steamed broccoli in lieu of a plain cheese sauce, serve over a baked potato for a light meal or a zesty side dish, use it to top Sheet-Pan Nachos, drizzle it over Spanish Rice, add it to your Burrito Bowl, or sandwich it into Crockpot Queso Chicken Quesadillas.

Tortilla chip dipped into a bowl of creamy cheese dip with visible chunks of meat and tomatoes.

Tips for Keeping Cheese Dip Creamy and Smooth

Choose Your Cheese: I love the way Velveeta melts creamy, but if you prefer you can make this dip with a block of cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese or American cheese instead. Make sure to use a brick of cheese and not pre-shredded cheese because it’s been coated with preservatives that keep it from melting well.
Cook Low And Slow: Use a slow cooker or low heat on the stovetop to melt the cheese gradually. High heat can cause the cheese to separate or become grainy.
Avoid Overcooking: Once the cheese is melted and smooth, keep the heat on low. Overcooking can cause the oils to separate, leading to a greasy texture.
Don’t Let It Dry Out: If the dip starts to thicken or dry out over time, stir in a splash of milk (evaporated milk works too) to bring back its creamy consistency.
Slow cooker liners are not required, but they make clean-up so much easier!

Variations for Crockpot Cheese Dip

Everyone has their own preference when it comes to spice. Whether you enjoy a mild, no-heat version or crave a fiery, tongue-tingling kick, this dip can be easily customized to suit any spice level.

Vary The Velveeta: You can change the spice level of your crockpot queso dip by using the original flavor for a mild, no spice base or using the “Mexican” Velveeta flavor which contains jalapeños for a little more kick.

Pick A Pico de Gallo: You can also modify the spice level of this dip depending on which pico de gallo you use. Most stores have a mild and hot versions to choose from. Or you can make your own pico de gallo with as much or as little spicy jalapeños as you prefer. Alternatively, you can use Rotel, drained, in place of the pico de gallo and use any of their many flavor and spice level options. You can also add a can of green chilies or hot salsa for extra heat.

Pick Your Pork: Feel free to increase the spice level in this dip by using a spicy pork sausage or chorizo instead of regular pork sausage. If using chorizo be sure it is well drained after it is cooked or you will end up with too much excess grease in your dip. You can also use cooked, crumbled hamburger with lots of hot taco seasoning or cumin and chili powder if you don’t want to use pork.

For more dip ideas, check out my White Queso Dip, Rotel Dip, Million Dollar Dip, Dill Pickle Dip, and Crack Dip.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Crockpot dip recipes are perfectly portable and travels well. Heat it up at home and bring it wherever you’re headed. It can be kept out of the refrigerator for hours, as long as the crockpot is on low or warm.

Leftover crock pot queso dip should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge and eaten within 3-5 days. When reheating, I recommend using the crockpot or a large skillet over low heat. Avoid microwaving this dip as it may cause it to split or curdle. If you must microwave it, heat in 15-30 second intervals and stir between each heating. Do not overheat.

Bowl of creamy cheese dip with chunks of tomatoes, garnished with a tortilla chip.

More Easy Dip Recipes

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5 from 4 votes