If you’re on the hunt for a creamy, comforting dip that practically melts in your mouth, you’ve come to the right place. I’m excited to share my Slow Cooker Spinach Queso Dip Recipe with you—this dip is absolutely fan-freaking-tastic and a total crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together or just craving something warm and cheesy, this recipe makes life easy and delicious with minimal effort.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Cooking: Toss everything into your slow cooker and walk away until it’s ready—perfect for busy days.
- Creamy & Flavorful: The combo of Velveeta, cream cheese, and bacon elevates this dip to pure indulgence.
- Family Favorite: My crew goes wild for this one every time, making it a guaranteed hit at any party.
- Customizable Heat Level: You control the spice, so whether you like it mild or with a kick, this dip has you covered.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients here are straightforward but work together beautifully to create a rich, velvety dip. I always buy good quality Velveeta because it melts so smoothly. Also, don’t skip squeezing out the spinach—it makes a huge difference in texture and prevents watery dip.
- Velveeta cheese: This processed cheese is a game changer for that ultra-melty queso texture without any graininess.
- Frozen spinach: Thaw and squeeze it well to avoid excess moisture; fresh spinach won’t give you the same creamy consistency.
- Bacon: Adding cooked, crispy bacon brings smoky flavor and a bit of crunch contrast.
- Rotel tomatoes: These diced tomatoes with a hint of green chilies add subtle tang and mild heat, balancing the richness.
- Cream cheese: This adds extra creaminess and soft tang to the dip’s base.
Variations
I love that this Slow Cooker Spinach Queso Dip Recipe is a great canvas for your creativity. Over time, I’ve tried my own twists, and you’ll find that small changes can brighten or spice it up just the way you like it.
- Spice it up: Adding chopped jalapeños or swapping regular Rotel for spicy Rotel gave this dip just the right punch when my friends wanted heat.
- Dairy-free version: I once substituted Velveeta for a vegan melting cheese and used nondairy cream cheese—result? Still creamy and addictive!
- Extra veggies: Toss in some sautéed mushrooms or diced bell peppers for a veggie boost without losing that cheesy goodness.
- Protein boost: Sometimes I add cooked chorizo or shredded chicken for a heartier version that doubles as a light meal.
How to Make Slow Cooker Spinach Queso Dip Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Spinach and Bacon
Start by thawing your frozen spinach completely—either in the fridge overnight or quickly in the microwave. Once thawed, put it in a clean dish towel and squeeze out every bit of excess water you can. Trust me, this step avoids watery, runny dip, which can be disappointing. Then, cook up your bacon until it’s nice and crisp, either in a skillet or oven—your choice. Chop or crumble it, and set aside.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker
Toss the Velveeta cubes, cream cheese cubes, squeezed spinach, cooked bacon, and both cans of Rotel tomatoes straight into your slow cooker. Don’t worry about stirring it yet. Make sure your slow cooker is on HIGH for this recipe’s timing.
Step 3: Cook and Stir Occasionally
Cook on HIGH for about 2 hours. During this time, stir the dip every 20-30 minutes to keep everything melting together smoothly and prevent sticking around the edges. You’ll see the cheeses soften and blend into a luscious, creamy dip. The aroma alone will have everyone gathering!
Step 4: Final Adjustments and Serve
Once the dip is fully melted and combined, give it a good stir and taste it. If the dip thickened while sitting in the slow cooker, simply add a splash of milk and stir to loosen it back up. Then, transfer it to a serving dish and enjoy immediately with your favorite dippers.
Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Spinach Queso Dip Recipe
- Water Content Control: Always squeeze spinach thoroughly—this trick keeps your dip from turning watery, which I learned the hard way!
- Even Melting: Stir the dip every 20-30 minutes to avoid cheese separating or sticking to the slow cooker sides.
- Adjusting Thickness: If your dip thickens too much after sitting out, add milk gradually to get back that creamy consistency.
- Flavor Boosting: Don’t be shy with bacon or spices like cayenne or hot sauce if you want more depth or heat—taste as you go!
How to Serve Slow Cooker Spinach Queso Dip Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping this dip with a sprinkle of freshly chopped green onions or cilantro for a pop of color and brightness. Sometimes I add extra crumbled bacon on top—it’s like a little indulgence when guests come by!
Side Dishes
My go-to dippers are sturdy tortilla chips, but honestly, sliced baguette, warm pita chips, or crunchy veggie sticks like bell pepper strips and carrots work beautifully too. It’s so versatile, you can mix it up depending on what’s on hand.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I sometimes serve the queso in a hollowed-out bread bowl—guaranteed to wow guests with presentation and double the carb-love! Another fun idea is scooping it into individual ramekins for easy grab-and-go portions.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover queso in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Before tucking in again, I give it a gentle reheat on the stovetop, stirring frequently to restore that creamy texture without burning.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this dip once or twice when leftovers were too good to waste. Wrap it tightly in freezer-safe containers and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently. Some separation can happen, but stirring well brings it back to life.
Reheating
The best way I’ve found to reheat this dip is over low-medium heat on the stovetop, stirring often. Microwaving works too, but go slow in short bursts to prevent the cheese from toughening up.
FAQs
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Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen?
While fresh spinach can work, it needs to be cooked and squeezed thoroughly to remove as much water as possible. Frozen spinach is easier because it’s already blanched and just needs thawing and squeezing, giving a more consistent creamy dip without excess moisture.
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How spicy is this Slow Cooker Spinach Queso Dip Recipe?
By default, this recipe is mild with just a touch of spice from the Rotel tomatoes. If you want it hotter, you can add jalapeños, use spicy Rotel, or mix in hot sauce to taste. I recommend adding spice gradually to find your perfect heat level.
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Can I make this in a regular pot on the stove?
Yes! You can melt the cheeses and combine ingredients over low heat on the stove, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. Just keep a close eye so it doesn’t burn, and adjust heat as needed for a smooth, creamy dip.
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What are the best dippers for this queso dip?
Tortilla chips are classic for this dip, but you can also use sliced bread, pita chips, or fresh veggies like carrots and celery. For something more indulgent, even soft pretzels are divine partners!
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Spinach Queso Dip Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen for its ease and crowd-pleasing flavor. If you’re anything like me, you’ll appreciate how it frees you up to enjoy the party while delivering that gooey, cheesy goodness everyone loves. Give it a try—you’ll soon find it’s your go-to dip for game days, potlucks, and whenever you want some comforting, irresistible cheese magic.
Print
Slow Cooker Spinach Queso Dip Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Slow Cooker Queso Spinach Dip is a creamy, cheesy appetizer perfect for gatherings. Made with Velveeta, cream cheese, bacon, spinach, and Rotel tomatoes, it delivers a savory and comforting dip that’s easy to prepare and keep warm throughout your event.
Ingredients
Cheese
- 32 oz. Velveeta cheese, cubed
- 8 oz. cream cheese, cubed
Vegetables
- 10 oz. frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- 20 oz. Rotel tomatoes (two 10 oz. cans)
Meat
- ½ lb. bacon, sliced and cooked
Instructions
- Prepare the spinach: Thaw the frozen spinach completely and squeeze out excess moisture by wrapping it in a dish towel and pressing firmly to ensure the dip won’t be watery.
- Combine ingredients in slow cooker: Add the cubed Velveeta, cream cheese, cooked bacon slices, drained spinach, and Rotel tomatoes into the slow cooker.
- Cook the dip: Set the slow cooker on HIGH and cook for 2 hours, stirring occasionally to ensure even melting and mixing of ingredients.
- Serve warm: Once fully melted and combined, transfer the dip to a serving bowl and enjoy immediately. If the dip thickens, you can thin it with a splash of milk.
Notes
- If the dip thickens during serving, add a splash of milk to loosen the consistency.
- Store leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; reheat gently on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- For added heat, consider mixing in jalapenos, spicy Rotel tomatoes, or hot sauce incrementally to reach desired spiciness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/10th of recipe (~150g)
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 55mg