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Indulge in the ultimate Sausage Cream Cheese Dip with our Jimmy Dean–inspired recipe! Featuring a savory mix of mild and hot sausage, velvety cream cheese, and colorful sautéed veggies, this unforgettable appetizer is a beloved Davis family favorite—perfect for parties, game day, or cozy nights in.
Love party dips? Try our spinach and artichoke dip or jalapeno corn dip next!
Why you’ll love this family favorite!
This is my mother-in-law’s easy sausage dip recipe and every time she makes it, the crowd goes wild! She’s made this recipe for 30 years, and you better believe it’s a winner. After you take your first taste, you’ll see why. It’s the perfect party dip for your next gathering, game day, the super bowl, or any holiday.
I include both stovetop and slow cooker methods, so you can make this hot, creamy sausage cheese dip however works best for you. It’s a warm dip with a slightly “fancier” (and tastier!) twist on the classic cream cheese and Rotel version you’ll often see at parties.
For more appetizer recipes you’ll love, try this authentic bruschetta and fried cheese balls.
Made With Amore,
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
- Jimmy Dean Sausage: The star of the show in this sausage dip recipe that proves it’s more than just for meal prep breakfast sandwiches or an easy breakfast casserole. We use one package of mild and one package of hot Jimmy Dean sausage to give the dip a rich, savory depth with a touch of irresistible heat. Of course, you can use a different brand if you prefer.
- Sour Cream and Cream Cheese: These combine to give the dip its rich and velvety texture with a tangy, slightly zesty flavor. For more cheesy sausage dishes, try my creamy sausage potato soup!
- Red Bell Pepper and Green Onion: Both offer a brilliant pop of color. The red bell pepper brings a subtle sweetness, and the green onions give it some freshness and mild onion flavor.
See the recipe card for quantities of each ingredient.
Substitutions & Variations
I love this simple and easy recipe just like it is. Here are some substitutions for your hot sausage dip recipe:
- Lighter Version: Use light cream cheese or neufchâtel cheese for a slightly lower-fat option. Greek yogurt makes a slightly lower fat alternative to sour cream, and you can use turkey or chicken sausage in place of the pork sausage.
- Spicy Kick: If you love heat, like in this Nduja pasta sauce, increase the amount of hot sausage or add diced jalapeños or crushed red pepper flakes to the dip for an extra spicy kick.
- Cheese Blend: Experiment with different cheeses by adding some shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack cheese for an extra layer of flavor to your creamy dip.
- Tex-Mex Twist: Give your dip a Tex-Mex flair with some diced tomatoes, black beans, and corn kernels. Top with chopped cilantro and serve with tortilla chips. Love these flavors? Try a bowl of Mexican chicken soup.
- Rotel Dip: If you love Rotel sausage dip, add some Italian seasoning, a can of Rotel tomatoes, and top with your favorite shredded cheese.
How to Make Creamy Sausage Dip
Whether you’re hosting a game day gathering or a cozy evening with friends, this sausage cream cheese dip is your secret weapon. It’s a dip that will be the hit of the party. Almost as popular for dipping as my Chipotle copycat salsa!
Gather your ingredients and prepare to elevate your snacking game while you watch the next big game. Your guests will thank you and want the recipe! Let’s go!
- Cook the Jimmy Dean sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Use a spoon to break it apart into crumbles as it cooks.
- Add the diced red bell pepper and chopped green onions to the skillet. Cook until the vegetables are slightly softened and the sausage is browned.
- Add the softened cream cheese and sour cream to the skillet with the cooked sausage and vegetables.
- Stir continuously until the cream cheese is fully melted and the mixture is smooth. Season the dip with salt and pepper to taste and continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes until everything is well combined.
- Transfer the sausage and cream cheese dip to a serving dish and garnish with additional green onions if desired. Serve hot with tortilla chips, crackers, veggies, or bread for dipping.
For another cheesy appetizer, try this fig baked brie!
My Pro Tips
Recipe Tips
- Balance the Heat: If you prefer a milder dip, use more mild sausage and less hot sausage. Conversely, if you love spice, adjust the ratio in favor of hot sausage or add extra hot sauce or crushed red pepper flakes.
- Room Temperature Cream Cheese: Ensure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature before adding it to the dip. Softened cream cheese blends more smoothly and evenly, preventing lumps.
- Prevent Separation: Stir the dip consistently when adding cream cheese and sour cream to avoid separation. A silicone spatula works well for this task.
- Keep Warm: If serving at a gathering, keep the dip warm using a slow cooker on the “keep warm” setting. This ensures it stays creamy and appetizing throughout the event.
- Storing Leftovers: Transfer the dip to an airtight container. Your party sausage dip with cream cheese can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Sausage Dip Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can make this dip ahead of time. Follow the recipe up to the point of cooking it, then allow it to cool. Transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate. When ready to serve, reheat it on the stove or in the microwave until hot and creamy.
Yes, you can freeze this dip. Store it in an airtight container, leaving some space for expansion, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. However, the consistency will change after freezing, and you may find it to be a bit grainy.
The main thing to avoid is heating too quickly, which may cause the tip to separate. To prevent the dip from separating when reheating, stir it occasionally while gently reheating on the stove or in the microwave. It will thicken during storage. If needed, you can also add a splash of milk or sour cream to help restore the creamy consistency.
Brown the Jimmy Dean sausage in a skillet, breaking it into crumbles and draining excess grease. Add the diced red bell pepper and green onions, sauté until slightly softened, then transfer everything to a slow cooker. Stir in softened cream cheese and sour cream, then cook on low for 1–2 hours until hot and creamy. Season with salt and pepper, garnish with green onions, and keep warm while serving. It’s the perfect make-ahead dip for parties, and you can even serve it straight from the crockpot on warm!
Serving Suggestions
This sausage cream cheese dip is perfect for parties! Pair them with delicious appetizers like butterfly fried shrimp and no egg crab cakes. Create the ultimate party dip board by pairing it with other favorites like white bean dip and Mexican street corn dip.
Serve up plenty of dippers such as veggie sticks, tortilla chips, pita chips, toasted slices of homemade ciabatta bread, or crunchy breadsticks.
More Easy Game Day Appetizer Recipes
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Best Sausage Cream Cheese Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 packages Jimmy Dean sausage, 16 oz each- 1 hot Jimmy Dean sausage, 1 mild sausage
- 2 packages cream cheese, 8 oz each, softened
- 24 ounces sour cream
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 4 green onions, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Stove Top Method:
- In a large skillet or frying pan, cook the Jimmy Dean sausage over medium-high heat. Break it apart into crumbles with a spoon as it cooks. Cook until the sausage is browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.
- While the sausage is cooking, add the diced red bell pepper and chopped green onions to the skillet. Sauté them with the sausage, allowing the flavors to meld together. Cook until the vegetables are slightly softened, and the sausage is browned.
- Once the sausage is cooked and the vegetables are tender, use a slotted spoon to remove any excess grease from the pan.
- Reduce the heat to low, and add the softened cream cheese and sour cream to the skillet with the cooked sausage and vegetables. Stir continuously until the cream cheese is fully melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Season the dip with salt and pepper to taste. Continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes until everything is well combined.
- Transfer the dip to a serving dish and garnish with additional green onions if desired. Serve hot with tortilla chips, crackers, veggies, or bread for dipping.
Crock Pot Method:
- In a large skillet, cook the Jimmy Dean sausage over medium-high heat until it’s browned and cooked through, breaking it apart into crumbles as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
- Add the diced red bell pepper and chopped green onions to the skillet with the cooked sausage. Sauté them together until the vegetables are slightly softened, and the sausage is browned.
- Transfer the cooked sausage, bell pepper, and green onions to a slow cooker.
- Add the softened cream cheese and sour cream to the slow cooker. Stir to combine all the ingredients.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 1-2 hours, or until the dip is hot and the cream cheese is fully melted. You can also set it to the “keep warm” setting if your slow cooker has one.
- Season the dip with salt and pepper to taste.
- Once the dip is ready, give it a final stir and garnish with additional green onions if desired. Keep the slow cooker on the “keep warm” setting to serve the dip warm throughout your event.
- Enjoy your delicious Jimmy Dean Sausage Dip with Cream Cheese using either the stove top or crock pot method! It’s perfect for parties and gatherings.
Notes
- Adjust the Heat: For a milder dip, use more mild sausage. Prefer it spicy? Add more hot sausage, hot sauce, or crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
- Soften the Cream Cheese: Bring cream cheese to room temperature before adding—it blends smoothly and prevents lumps.
- Mix Well: Stir in the cream cheese and sour cream thoroughly to keep the dip creamy and prevent separation. A silicone spatula works best.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This dip is famous in the Davis family for a good reason. I know you will love it. Serve it for any gathering and it will be gone in minutes!