My Aunt’s 3-Ingredient Tailgate Dip Is the Only Reason I Like Football Season

Every Texan knows, in the fall, you can’t walk into a room without a football game on the TV.

And, I’ll admit, even though I’ve grown up in a family with football fever, I couldn’t tell you the difference between a safety and a sack. I don’t know the name of every position on the field, and I definitely don’t know why that flag was just thrown. 

But, there is one thing I know for certain about football season, and it’s what makes me love this time of year just as much as the football fanatics in the house: my aunt’s tailgate dip.

During a big game, I can always count on my aunt’s cheesy tailgate dip to appear, disappear (and if we’re lucky) reappear on the snack table. This dip is out-of-this-world good, and it wasn’t until recently that I realized just how easy it is to make.

In fact, it only takes three ingredients: Velvetta, Rotel, and sausage.

How to Make My Aunt’s 3-Ingredient Tailgate Dip

This is a true 2-step appetizer—the hardest part is browning the sausage (you can even skip that step completely by buying the Jimmy Dean sausage pre-cooked).

Once you have sausage crumbles, just stir in the cubed Velveeta and Rotel tomatoes in a hot pot, stir until smooth, and it's ready to go. Serve with a bag of tortilla chips or Frito scoops for the perfect crunchy compliment.

The real magic of this app is in the Velveeta, which melts and blends unlike any other cheese (it also happens to be the secret behind our creamiest mac and cheese recipe). Between the meaty texture and kick of heat, it satisfies every savory craving. 

The recipe is no secret. In fact, I think it might’ve been printed right on the Velveeta box for a time, but it’s stuck around my family because it’s simple, dependable, and downright delicious. You can make it on the stove-top or in a crockpot, and customize it any way you choose.

“Some people add some beer, some add black beans,” my Aunt Karen shares. "Some people add grated Pepper jack cheese, too, but we usually don’t.”

Although I know it as a “tailgate” favorite, this dip isn’t just for tailgates. It’s for absolutely any time you need an easy, crowd-pleasing comfort food. From the pool party on the Fourth of July to the Tex-Mex buffet at Christmas, my aunt’s dip is always a hit.

So, even if you’re like me and you attend the watch party for the refreshments instead of the replays, here’s a dip that will garner just as much attention as the football game itself.

Get the Recipe: Velveeta Spicy Sausage Dip