Sausage Cream Cheese Dip
Updated Sep 20, 2026
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This sausage cream cheese dip is an easy appetizer made with 8 ingredients, in one skillet in 20 minutes. You can easily adjust the spice to make it mild or hot, and it’s guaranteed to be the hit of the party!
I love a good party dip, and this cream cheese and sausage dip is always a hit. It’s loaded with sausage and cheese, so it’s hearty and flavorful and pairs perfectly with tortilla chips, crackers, fresh bread or veggies. Plus, it’s easy to make with only 8 ingredients in 20 minutes, so it’s perfect for impromptu guests.
Many sausage cream cheese dip recipes are made with just sausage, cream cheese and Rotel, but I add onion, garlic and sharp cheddar cheese to make this version extra flavorful and irresistibly cheesy. Plus, everything cooks in one skillet, which means fewer dishes!
Why You’ll Love This Sausage Cream Cheese Dip
- Quick and easy. 20 minutes, 8 ingredients, 1 skillet.
- Super flavorful. Onion, garlic and sharp cheddar make this dip even more flavorful than the classic 3-ingredient version.
- Easy to customize. Use mild or hot sausage and your favorite variety of Rotel to make it as mild or spicy as you’d like.
- Perfect for parties. It’s a hearty sausage dip that’s perfect for game day, holidays, parties, etc.
Sausage Cream Cheese Dip: Ingredients & Substitutions
This sausage dip is easy to customize to your specific tastes. Here are a few suggestions:
- Breakfast Sausage. I typically use a mild breakfast sausage (like this variety) because I have lots of kids and we aren’t really into super spicy foods. However you can use a hot or medium breakfast sausage, or Italian sausage works well too.
- Minced Garlic. Garlic powder can be used in place of minced garlic, just add it with the salt and pepper. Fresh roasted or diced garlic is great too.
- Onion. Choose your favorite onion variety, yellow, red, sweet, you can’t go wrong.
- Cream Cheese. I recommend full-fat, brick-style cream cheese for the richest flavor and creamiest texture. You can use reduced-fat cream cheese if desired.
- Diced Tomatoes with Green Chiles. Rotel is the most popular brand of diced tomatoes with green chiles, which is why this recipe is sometimes called Rotel sausage dip. I prefer this organic brand personally. Choose mild, original or hot depending on your preferred spice level.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese. As always, I recommend sharp cheddar for the best flavor. However other cheese varieties work well too: Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, mozzarella, mild cheddar, etc.
How to Make Sausage Cream Cheese Dip
This sausage cream cheese dip recipe is so easy to make in one skillet in 20 minutes! We’ll walk through how to make it step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video.
The first step in this sausage dip recipe is to cook the sausage, onion and garlic until the sausage is browned. Be sure to stir occasionally, and break the sausage into small, bite-sized pieces.
Once the sausage is browned, add the tomatoes and chiles (do not drain) and cream cheese and continue cooking over medium heat, stirring until the cheese is melted.
How to Make It Spicy
It’s easy to adjust the heat in this sausage cream cheese dip. I usually use mild breakfast sausage and mild diced tomatoes with green chiles because my kids don’t love spicy foods.
For a spicier dip, use hot breakfast sausage, hot Rotel or Pepper Jack cheese. You can also add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper for even more heat.
When the cream cheese is melted, add the cheddar cheese and stir until melted. Then, be sure to taste test the sausage cream cheese dip and season with salt and pepper to your liking. Some sausage varieties can be really salty, so you may not even need that much salt.
What to Serve With Sausage Cream Cheese Dip
One you’ve dialed in the salt and pepper, it’s time to serve! I promise it’ll be the hit of the party! Plus it’s hearty, so if you’re doing an “appetizer for dinner” type of party this sausage cheese dip is ideal since it’s full of protein. Here are some dipper suggestions:
- Chips – tortilla, potato chips, corn chips like Fritos, etc.
- Cackers
- Crisp veggies like carrots, celery or sliced bell peppers
- Fresh homemade bread
- Pretzels
More Delicious Dip Recipes
You can serve it alongside some of my favorite appetizer dips like these recipes:
- Cowboy caviar
- Homemade Guacamole
- Homemade Hummus & Pita Bread
- Layered Greek Dip
- Black Bean Dip
- 5-Minute Homemade Salsa
How to Store Cream Cheese Sausage Dip
Store leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Reheat it in the microwave or in a skillet over low heat until warmed through. Stir occasionally while reheating.
Freeze
You can also freeze this sausage cream cheese dip in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Cream Cheese Sausage Dip Recipe FAQs
Yes absolutely. For a spicier dip, use hot breakfast sausage, hot Rotel or Pepper Jack cheese. You can also add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper for even more heat.
I recommend using breakfast sausage in this recipe. We prefer mild sausage, but you can use hot breakfast sausage if you want to make the dip spicy.
No, you don’t need to drain the diced tomatoes with green chiles for this recipe. The liquid helps create the perfect creamy consistency!
Yes! Brown the sausage with the onion and garlic first, then transfer it to a slow cooker with the remaining ingredients – cook on high or low depending on how much time you have. Stir occasionally as the cheeses melt, then keep it warm in the Crock Pot for serving.
You can make the dip according to the recipe, then let it cool enough to cover it with foil and store it in the skillet in the refrigerator. Reheat it on the stovetop or in the oven (covered) before serving.
Transfer it to a small slow cooker or keep it on a warming pad.
We usually serve it with tortilla chips, but it’s also delicious with Fritos, crackers, pretzels, fresh bread, sliced bell peppers, carrots and celery.
Yes, Italian sausage can be used in this recipe, although it will change the flavor of the dip. I prefer breakfast sausage because its flavor is perfect with the rest of the ingredients.
If you make and love my recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so I can see your creations!
Cream Cheese Sausage Dip Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound breakfast sausage
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 cup onion (1 small onion, finely diced)
- 8 ounces cream cheese (cut into 1” cubes)
- 28 ounces diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel)
- ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cover & cook sausage, onion and minced garlic in a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until sausage is browned, stirring occasionally, breaking up sausage into small pieces.
- Once the sausage is browned, add the tomatoes & green chiles (do not drain) and cream cheese and continue cooking over medium heat, stirring until the cheese is melted.
- Add cheddar cheese and stir until melted.
- Taste and season with salt and pepper as desired.
- Serve warm with crackers, chips, vegetables etc.
Notes
- Breakfast Sausage. I typically use a mild breakfast sausage, however you can use a hot or medium breakfast sausage, or Italian sausage works well too.
- Minced Garlic. Garlic powder can be used in place of minced garlic, just add it with the salt and pepper. Fresh roasted or diced garlic is great too.
- Onion. Choose your favorite onion variety, yellow, red, sweet, you can’t go wrong.
- Cream Cheese. I prefer full-fat cream cheese for the tastiest end result. However, you can use a lower fat option if desired.
- Diced Tomatoes with Green Chiles. Rotel is a popular brand of diced tomatoes with green chiles (many people call this kind of appetizer a Rotel sausage dip), however I have used other brands with great success. Choose mild, medium or spicy depending on your spice-level preferences.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese. I recommend sharp cheddar cheese. However other cheese varieties work well too: Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, mozzarella, mild cheddar, etc.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
In your equipment decriotion you have a cast iron skillet. However in how to make you have a non-stick skillet. Which is correct or are either ok to use?
You can make this in any pan.
Hi, this sausage dip was very cathartic to me. Smashing it into pieces helped me heal a bit more over the divorce. Thanks Laura, hears to hoping I don’t get the kids. 🥂
Hey Nina! I’m sorry you’re going through something so difficult. I hope you enjoyed the flavor of this dip, and I hope whatever is best for your kids happens for you! Here’s to better days ahead.
Hi Laura
Are you using bulk sausage in this recipe
Thank you
Yes, ground breakfast sausage.
Can this be kept warm in a crockpot to take to a potluck?
Yes!
Thank you so much for specifying breakfast, two other sites did not, and I never heard about this dish before in my life (Righteous Gemstones made it sound good).