Loaded Lil’ Smokies Cheese Dip
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When it comes to game day snacks or a cozy night in, nothing hits quite like a warm, cheesy dip. Loaded Lil’ Smokies Cheese Dip is one of those recipes that’ll have your friends and family hovering around the snack table, and trust me, it disappears faster than a cold beer in July. This dip is rich and creamy, with just the right kick from jalapeños and a touch of barbecue sauce that ties everything together beautifully.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, the flavors in this Loaded Lil’ Smokies Cheese Dip are out of this world. You’ve got the smokiness from the Lil’ Smokies, the creaminess of the cheeses, and a zesty kick from the jalapeños and Rotel. It’s like a flavor party in your mouth, and everyone’s invited!
Then there’s the texture-think gooey, cheesy pull with every scoop. Plus, it’s perfect for sharing, making it a great choice for parties, movie nights, or just a casual get-together. And let’s be honest, who can resist a dip that’s loaded with cheese and smoky sausage?
You’ll need a few key ingredients to pull off this cheese dip, and I promise you won’t have to make a special trip to the store. For starters, grab a package of Lil’ Smokies, which are the star of the show. You’ll also need cream cheese, shredded cheddar, mozzarella, some pepper jack for that added kick, a can of Rotel, BBQ sauce, and, of course, diced jalapeños.
I go heavy on the cheese here because who doesn’t love a cheesy dip?
As for tools, a skillet is essential for browning those Lil’ Smokies, and a cast iron or baking dish is perfect for melting everything together. If you have a smoker, awesome! If not, your oven will work just fine.
Just remember to keep it around 325°F for that golden, bubbling goodness.
How To Make It
Alright, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of making this Loaded Lil’ Smokies Cheese Dip. It’s super straightforward, and I’ll guide you through each step. We’ll start with some prep work, then move on to cooking it all together until it’s melty and delicious.
Preparation
To kick things off, the first step is to brown the Lil’ Smokies in your skillet. You want them nice and caramelized, which adds an extra layer of flavor to your dip. Just slice them in half or thirds, toss them in the skillet, and cook them until they’re golden brown.
This should take about 5 to 7 minutes.
While the sausages are sizzling, go ahead and gather your other ingredients. Make sure to drain the Rotel so that you don’t end up with a watery dip. Chop up your jalapeños too; I like to leave the seeds in for a bit more heat, but you can adjust that based on your spice tolerance.
Once everything is prepped, you’ll be ready to combine it all.
Cooking
Now comes the fun part-combining everything and cooking it to cheesy perfection. In your cast iron or baking dish, mix the cream cheese, drained Rotel, BBQ sauce, and most of the diced jalapeños. Don’t forget to add your browned Lil’ Smokies to the mix!
You can sprinkle in your favorite spicy rub for an extra kick-Blazing Star Reaper is my go-to.
Once everything’s combined, pop it into the smoker at 325°F for about 20 minutes. You’ll want to keep an eye on it because that’s when the magic happens! The cheese will melt into a gooey, bubbling delight, and the top will turn golden brown.
When you see that, you know it’s time to take it out. Garnish with the remaining jalapeños for that fresh look and a little crunch.
Serving & Variations
When it comes to serving this dip, you really can’t go wrong. It pairs perfectly with tortilla chips, crackers, or even toasted bread. I love serving it hot so everyone can enjoy that gooey cheese pull.
If you want to mix things up, try adding different types of cheese or even some diced bell peppers for a twist. You could also swap out the BBQ sauce for a spicy buffalo sauce if you’re in the mood for something a little different. And if you have leftovers (which I doubt!), it stores nicely in the fridge for about 3 days-just reheat it in the oven or microwave.
Wrapping Up
So there you have it-a Loaded Lil’ Smokies Cheese Dip that’s sure to be a hit at any gathering. It’s cheesy, smoky, and incredibly satisfying. Trust me, once you make this, you’ll be known as the dip master in your circle.
Recipe created by Nick Keith for Trust Me Try It.
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Ingredients
- package Lil’ Smokies (cut in half or thirds)
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 3 slices pepper jack
- 1 can Rotel (drained)
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- 1 Tbsp Blazing Star Reaper (or fav spicy rub)
- 2 diced jalapeños
Instructions
- Brown Lil’ Smokies in a skillet, set aside
- In a cast iron or baking dish, combine cream cheese, Rotel, BBQ sauce, reaper, and most the jalapeño
- Smoke at 325* for 20 min until golden and bubbling
- Garnish with jalapeños
- Serve hot with chips, crackers, or toasted bread
