Description
This irresistible Boat Dip (Rotel Ranch Dip) combines creamy cheese, zesty ranch, and the perfect kick from Rotel tomatoes into one crowd-pleasing party appetizer. Ready in minutes with no cooking required, it’s the ultimate make-ahead dip that disappears fast at any gathering. Perfect for game days, potlucks, or anytime snacking!
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz block cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup sour cream (full-fat for extra richness)
- 1 oz packet ranch seasoning mix
- 10 oz can Rotel diced tomatoes & green chiles, undrained
- ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar (optional, but come on—why wouldn’t you?)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or green onion, for garnish
- Tortilla chips, crackers, fresh veggies, or pretzel rods, for serving
Instructions
- Prep your base: In a medium bowl, add the softened cream cheese and whisk until smooth as grandma’s mashed potatoes.
- Make it ranch-y: Stir in the sour cream until it’s all one velvety mixture. Sprinkle in the ranch seasoning packet and keep stirrin’ until you’ve got uniform ranch paradise.
- Tomato time! Pour in your entire can of Rotel—juice and all—and fold it in gently. You want those little red and green bursts distributed evenly but still standing out.
- Cheesy upgrade: If you’re feeling extra decadent, fold in half of that shredded cheddar now, and save the rest for sprinklin’ on top.
- Chill out: Cover your bowl with plastic wrap and let it rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This gives all those flavors a chance to court each other and get to know one another.
- Garnish & serve: Before you unveil this beauty, sprinkle on the remaining cheddar and those bright chopped chives or green onions. Surround it with your favorite dippers—tortilla chips, crunchy veggies, or salty pretzels.
- Dig in! Bring it to the table, grab a big scoop, and watch the smiles spread!
Notes
- For a spicier kick, use Hot Rotel instead of original.
- Want it milder? Drain some of the liquid from the Rotel before adding.
- This dip gets even better after a night in the fridge, making it perfect for advance prep.
- Leftover dip (if such a miracle exists) makes a fantastic sandwich spread or baked potato topping.
- For a lighter version, substitute Neufchâtel cheese and light sour cream—still delicious but with fewer calories.
- Crumbled bacon makes an amazing topping for those looking to take this dip to the next level!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Dip
- Method: No-Cook, Mix
- Cuisine: American, Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ⅓ cup
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Boat Dip, Rotel Ranch Dip, Cold Party Dip, Cream Cheese Dip, Game Day Appetizer, No-Bake Dip, Tailgating Food, Potluck Appetizer, Easy Dip Recipe