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Creamy Smoky Sausage Queso Dip: Easy 20-Min Recipe

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This creamy smoky sausage queso dip is the ultimate comfort food, ready in just 20 minutes. It’s perfect for game day, parties, or a cozy night in, featuring browned sausage, melted cheese, and a hint of smoky heat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) smoked sausage or kielbasa, sliced into thin rounds
  • 8 ounces (226g) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups (180g) sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk (or half-and-half for extra richness)
  • 1 (10-ounce / 284g) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained (Rotel)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh cilantro or green onions, chopped, for garnish
  • Tortilla chips, crusty bread, or veggie sticks, for serving

Instructions

  1. Brown the sausage (5 minutes): Place your large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced sausage in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until the edges are crispy and dark golden brown. Transfer the browned sausage to a plate and set aside. Leave about 1 tablespoon of rendered fat in the pan.
  2. Build the base (3 minutes): Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the softened cream cheese to the pan and stir constantly until it’s fully melted and smooth, about 2 minutes.
  3. Add the milk and seasonings (2 minutes): Slowly pour in the milk while stirring. Add the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne (if using). Stir until the mixture is smooth. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
  4. Melt the cheddar cheese (3 minutes): Gradually add the shredded cheddar cheese, a handful at a time, stirring constantly. Let each addition melt completely before adding the next. If it looks too thick, add a splash more milk.
  5. Add the tomatoes and sausage (2 minutes): Stir in the undrained diced tomatoes with green chilies and the browned sausage. Let the dip simmer on low heat for 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  6. Garnish and serve (1 minute): Transfer the dip to a serving bowl. Top with fresh chopped cilantro or green onions. Serve immediately with tortilla chips, crusty bread, or veggie sticks.

Notes

For the best texture, shred your own cheese from a block. Don’t skip browning the sausage for maximum flavor. If the dip becomes greasy, remove from heat and stir in a tablespoon of cold milk or lemon juice to re-emulsify. For parties, keep warm in a slow cooker on the ‘warm’ setting.

Nutrition

Keywords: queso dip, sausage queso, creamy dip, game day dip, easy appetizer, smoky queso, 20-minute recipe

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/creamy-smoky-sausage-queso-dip-easy-20-min-recipe/