I know some people call Rotel Dip “ugly dip”, but I think it’s one of the most beautiful varieties out there – in taste, at least!

It’s also so easy to make; it’s just cooked meat (I usually use ground beef), velveeta cheese, and Rotel tomatoes melted and stirred together.

You can even make it in a slow cooker to keep it warm for longer. This dip is a game day favorite, and a staple anytime I’m hosting a big, laid back gathering.

However, there’s always the question of what to serve with a Rotel dip. I’ve gathered this list of all of my favorite choices for you, including:

Jump to:

• 1.Classic Tortilla Chips
• 2.Simple Crudités Platter
• 3.Pita Bread
• 4.Crostini
• 5.Fresh Baguette Slices
• 6.Pretzel Sticks
• 7.Pepperoni
• 8.Baked Jicama Fries
• 9.Grilled Corn on the Cob
• 10.Gluten-Free Crackers
• 11.Oven-Roasted Cauliflower Florets
• 12.Spicy Baked Sweet Potato Fries
• 13.Baked Potato Skins
• 14.Fried Plantains
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

Let’s get cooking!

1.Classic Tortilla Chips

Of course the go to side with almost and dip is tortilla chips. Have you ever made your own before? It’s so easy and so much tastier than store bought, after the first time I made my own I’ve never gone back!

To make these chips, simply cut corn tortillas into six triangles by cutting them like a pizza. Then, heat a neutral cooking oil to 350 degrees on the strove in a wide pot or cast iron pan.

Place the triangles of tortilla carefully in the oil in a single layer, and cook until golden brown and puffy, about two minutes.

Finally, use a slotted spoon or tongs to carefully transfer the chips to a surface lined with paper towels to drain. Let cool, and season lightly with salt!

2.Simple Crudités Platter

Crudités is a French word meaning chopped raw vegetables. This dish is so easy to prepare as it simply requires washing and cutting veggies – there’s no cooking involved!

When selecting which vegetables to use, try and select what is fresh and in season in your area, as well as having a range of different colors and textures for context.

For example, this recipe uses snap peas, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, carrots, and radishes. These veggies are bright, delicious, and sturdy enough to be dipped.

If you like, you can add other things to your boards to make it a more diverse charcuterie-like side. Common additions include things like cheese, olives, pickles, and roasted vegetables.

While a traditional Crudités platter does not include bread or crackers, there’s really nothing stopping you if you prefer having a couple of carbs as well!

3.Pita Bread

Almost nothing beats fresh pita bread. It’s chewy, soft, and perfect for dipping, filling, or just plain old snacking. This recipe produces pitas that are relatively thin, and fluffy with an airy pocket in the center.

To make it, all you need to do is add two tablespoons of sugar and a package of instant yeast in a bowl of warm water and let it bloom for ten minutes.

Then, add the mixture along with a third cup of whole milk to six cups of flour and two teaspoons of salt in a large bowl.

Knead for ten minutes until stretchy and well combined, then cover with plastic wrap and let sit for an hour or two (or until doubled in size).

Once your dough has risen, divide it into orange-sized balls, place it on a greased cookie sheet, and rest again for half an hour to forty-five minutes.

Finally, roll your dough balls out to a quarter of an inch thick, and cook in a preheated oven at 425 degrees until puffed up (about two minutes!)

4.Crostini

Crostini are the Italian style of toast – crispy, salty, and perfect for dips and spreads!

While I adore toast straight from the toaster with a smear of butter, Crostini are crispier, lighter tasting, and don’t sag and get soft from the butter melting into the bread.

It’s super easy to make crostini! Just get a nice Italian loaf, slice it into medium-thick, roughly half-inch slices, and brush both sides with olive oil.

Then, arrange them in a single layer on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and bake until golden brown and crispy – roughly ten to twelve minutes.

If you want to keep it simple, just top it with a little flaky sea salt and enjoy! You can also top crostini with anything else you like; traditional toppings include Roma tomatoes, mozzarella, sliced meats, and cheeses.

5.Fresh Baguette Slices

If you'd like a carby side but want to keep things even simpler, you can always prepare a lovely sliced French baguette!

While it’s perfectly okay to go out and buy a loaf of bread (and I do so all the time), why not make your own if you’re looking to go the extra mile?

It’s surprisingly easy to make your own baguette! Firstly, combine three and a half cups of all-purpose flour, one and a half cups of water, two teaspoons of salt, one teaspoon of instant yeast, and a tablespoon of honey in a large mixing bowl.

Then, do three sets of stretch and fold, waiting a half hour between each, and leave the dough (covered with plastic wrap) refrigerated for twelve to fourteen hours.

Slowly shape into baguettes, resting between each step, then bake in a 475-degree oven with a bread pan filled with water for fifteen minutes. Finally, carefully remove the water pan, bake for another fifteen, rest, slice, and serve!

6.Pretzel Sticks

Is there anything better than a crunchy, salty pretzel stick?

They’re great in any form, but when you make them at home they’re perfectly crispy, fresh, and not even a little stale. The recipe takes a little while, but the finished product is completely worth it.

7.Pepperoni

Did you know you can make your own pepperoni at home? If you’re a meat enthusiast, this one is for you!

You’ll need a meat grinder, culture, and natural hog casings, but everything else you can purchase from your local supermarket or butcher!

My favorite part of this recipe is that you can season the pepperoni exactly to your own liking.

8.Baked Jicama Fries

Jicama is a Mexican yam, and makes for an excellent high-fiber, high-nutrient carb option!

These fries are beautifully seasoned with paprika, olive oil, garlic and onion powder, Cayenne pepper, and salt. They’re crispy on the outside and soft and succulent on the inside – amazing for any occasion.

9.Grilled Corn on the Cob

Corn on the cob is one of my all-time favorites – and while it’s a summer barbecue staple, I love it year-round!

While making corn on the cob is relatively simple, this recipe makes sure it is cooked to perfection; just a little charred, sweet and juicy, and amazing with a fat pat of butter.

10.Gluten-Free Crackers

If you’re looking for a gluten-free option that doesn’t leave you missing out on the carbs, you can’t do better than these gluten-free crackers!

They’re crispy, flavorful, a little tender, and (best of all) super easy to make. This recipe takes under an hour, a handful of ingredients, and only one bowl!

11.Oven-Roasted Cauliflower Florets

Another healthy and amazing side for dips is simple cauliflower florets!

This recipe takes a humble and underrated vegetable and transforms it into an amazing flavorful bite.

It’s super simply seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper, which makes it the ideal recipe for dipping and pairing.

12.Spicy Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Another healthy fry is of course sweet potato fries! They’re extremely popular for a reason.

This recipe is subtly sweet, caramelized, and crunchy on the outside and tender and chewy on the inside with a slight spicy kick.

13.Baked Potato Skins

If you want to stick with classic potatoes but still keep them healthy, extra crispy, and perfect for scooping, baked potato skins are an excellent choice!

You can keep the skins plain and perfect for pairing, or load them up with all of your favorites.

My go-to's are classic baked potato toppings like bacon, cheddar, chives, and sour cream.

14.Fried Plantains

Looking for something a little more exotic? Fried plantains are a favorite in tropical countries around the world!

The subtle sweetness, crispiness, and slight saltiness make these plantains the perfect side for so many dishes.

📖 Recipe