Description
Creamy ranch boat dip beckons with zesty Rotel tomatoes and green chilies, creating a crowd-pleasing appetizer perfect for game day or casual gatherings. Cool, tangy cream cheese mingles with spicy peppers, promising a flavor explosion you’ll want to dive into again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 (10 oz/280g) can of Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies), drained
- 1 cup (120g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 16 oz (450g) sour cream
Seasoning:
- 1 packet (1 oz/28g) ranch seasoning mix
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional, for extra flavor)
Serving:
- Tortilla chips or crackers
Instructions
- Gather a medium mixing bowl and prepare to blend the creamy components of this zesty dip, creating a harmonious mixture of tangy sour cream, vibrant Rotel tomatoes, sharp cheddar cheese, aromatic ranch seasoning, and optional garlic powder.
- Drain the Rotel tomatoes thoroughly to prevent excess liquid from diluting the dip’s rich consistency, then add them to the bowl alongside the remaining ingredients.
- Whisk the components together with a smooth, circular motion, ensuring the ranch seasoning disperses evenly throughout the mixture, eliminating any dry pockets of seasoning.
- Gently fold the ingredients to maintain the texture of the cheese and tomatoes, creating a uniform appearance with specks of red and orange peeking through the creamy base.
- Seal the bowl with a tight-fitting lid or plastic wrap, then nestle it in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to intermingle and intensify.
- When ready to serve, transfer the chilled dip to a decorative serving bowl, positioning it as the centerpiece of your appetizer spread.
- Accompany the dip with an array of crisp accompaniments – crunchy tortilla chips, buttery crackers, or fresh vegetable sticks like carrots and celery – inviting guests to dive into this irresistible crowd-pleaser.
Notes
- Customize the heat level by choosing mild, medium, or hot Rotel tomatoes to match your spice preference.
- Swap sour cream with Greek yogurt for a protein-packed, lighter version of the dip that maintains creamy texture.
- Prep the dip ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, allowing flavors to intensify and develop deeper complexity.
- Add extra crunch by mixing in diced green onions or crispy bacon bits just before serving for a delightful textural contrast.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg