• Sausage: A well-seasoned, good quality pork sausage adds extra depth of flavor. You can also swap it for ground beef or ground turkey with some seasoning if you prefer.
• Cheese: Cheddar cheese, pepper jack, velveeta cheese, or even a mix of cheeses will work. Just make sure it melts well.
• Melt the cheese slowly: Lower heat is your best friend when melting cheese. Rushing it can make the texture grainy.
• Make it spicier: If you like more heat, use hot Rotel tomatoes, add diced jalapeños, green chilies, or sprinkle in some cayenne pepper.
• Thicken or thin as needed: If your dip is too thick, add a splash of milk or broth. If it’s too thin, stir in extra cheese.
• Crock pot: If serving at a party, transfer the dip to a slow cooker on the ‘warm’ setting to keep it creamy and warm all night.
• Make ahead: You can make it a day in advance and store it in the fridge. Reheat it on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring often.
• Vegetarian option: Swap the sausage for plant-based ground meat, cooked lentils, or black beans.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

• Fridge: Let the dip cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheat: To reheat, warm it in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. If it’s too thick, add a splash of milk or broth to loosen it up. You can also microwave it in short bursts, stirring in between, until smooth and creamy again.