I will show you an easy, warm, and tasty dip you can make for any party or snack time.
INTRODUCTION
Hissy Fit Dip is a warm, cheesy sausage dip that makes people smile fast. It is rich, creamy, and full of flavor. It is easy to make and fills a room with good smell. This dip works for game day, potlucks, or a simple snack at home. If you like warm cheese dips, you might also enjoy a sweet and spicy touch like a ricotta dip with hot honey for a different kind of party flavor.
This recipe uses simple ingredients and common steps. You can make it in under an hour and serve it hot. It mixes sausage, cream cheese, cheddar, mozzarella, and Rotel for a bold, creamy dish. The texture is smooth with bits of sausage and tomatoes, and the taste is savory with a gentle kick from spices. Read on to learn why you will love this recipe and how to make it step by step.
WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE
You will love Hissy Fit Dip because it is quick, warm, and very tasty. The cream cheese and sour cream make it smooth. The cheddar and mozzarella add sharp and melty cheese. Sausage gives it a meaty bite and deep flavor. Rotel adds bright tomato and chili pieces for color and a little heat. You can make it mild or spicy with cayenne or the type of sausage you choose.
This dip is also very flexible. You can make it in a skillet and oven dish, or you can keep it on low heat in a slow cooker for hours. It travels well to gatherings and stays hot with a small warmer. If you like dips that feel homemade and feed a crowd, this one fits the bill. For a lighter flavor twist at a party, pairing it with a sweeter dip can be nice, such as a delicious ricotta dip with hot honey on the side.
The dip is fun to serve. Guests can scoop it with chips, crackers, or toasted bread. Kids and adults both enjoy it. It is full of familiar tastes, so it is a safe hit at many events. You can also make it ahead and bake it when guests arrive.
HOW TO MAKE Hissy Fit Dip
This section gives a clear view of each step. The recipe is simple: cook the sausage, mix the dairy base, add the cheeses and Rotel, then bake until bubbly. Read the full steps below to make sure you get the best texture and flavor.
Make sure all dairy items are at room temperature so they blend easy. Drain the Rotel well and drain the sausage grease, or the dip may be too oily. Stir well so the cheese melts evenly. If you want more heat, add the optional cayenne or use spicy sausage.
For another easy dip idea to pair with your platter, you can set a small bowl of ricotta dip with hot honey nearby to give guests a sweet contrast.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- Large skillet
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Large mixing bowl
- Baking dish (9-inch or similar)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cheese grater (if needed)
- Colander or spoon to drain grease
- Oven mitts
Ingredients You’ll Need :
1 lb ground sausage (mild or spicy, your choice), 1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened, 1 cup sour cream, 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 1 10 oz can Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chilies), drained, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat), Salt and black pepper (to taste), Fresh parsley or green onions (chopped (for garnish)), Cook the sausage, In a large skillet over medium heat (cook sausage until browned and crumbly. Drain excess grease.), Mix the base, In a large mixing bowl, Add in the flavor, Stir in the cooked sausage (Rotel, cheddar, and mozzarella. Mix well to combine.), Bake the dip, Preheat oven to 350°F, Serve hot, Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions. Serve warm with tortilla chips (crackers, or toasted baguette slices.)
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS :
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Prep the ingredients. Take the cream cheese out of the fridge so it can soften. Shred the cheddar and mozzarella if not pre-shredded. Drain the Rotel in a small colander or on a paper towel. Chop parsley or green onions for garnish.
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Cook the sausage. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground sausage and cook until browned and crumbly, about 6 to 8 minutes. Break it up with a spatula as it cooks. When done, drain excess grease into a safe container and discard the grease.
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Mix the base. In a large mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese and sour cream. Use a spoon or a hand mixer on low to blend until smooth.
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Add in the flavor. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper (if using), and a little salt and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings lightly.
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Stir in the cooked sausage. Add the drained Rotel, shredded cheddar, and shredded mozzarella into the bowl. Fold all ingredients together until well mixed. The mixture should be even and slightly thick.
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Transfer to a baking dish. Spoon the dip mixture into a greased 9-inch baking dish or similar oven-safe dish. Smooth the top with a spatula so it bakes evenly.
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Bake the dip. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the baking dish on the middle rack and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the dip is hot and the cheese on top is bubbly and starting to brown.
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Garnish and serve. Remove the dip from the oven with oven mitts. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or green onions on top. Serve warm with tortilla chips, crackers, or toasted baguette slices.
HOW TO SERVE Hissy Fit Dip
Serve this dip hot for the best texture and flavor. Place the baking dish on a trivet or a heat-safe board. You can offer small bowls of chips and different types of bread around the dish for people to choose from. For a bright taste, add extra chopped green onions or a squeeze of lime on the side. If you expect many guests, transfer the dip to a small slow cooker set on low to keep it warm for longer.
Set out napkins and small plates so people can eat easily. You can also serve the dip with raw vegetables like bell pepper strips, carrot sticks, or celery for a fresh crunch contrast. Keep the dip in the oven-safe dish or warm pot while guests dip to keep it melty.
STORAGE & FREEZING : Hissy Fit Dip
To store leftovers, cool the dip to room temperature. Cover the baking dish tightly with foil or transfer the dip to an airtight container. Place in the fridge and use within 3 to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 325°F until warm, or microwave in short intervals, stirring between each interval so the cheese heats evenly.
To freeze, place the cooled dip in a freezer-safe container. Leave some space at the top for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. Reheat in the oven or microwave until fully hot. The texture may change slightly after freezing, but the flavor will stay good.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
- Serve with sturdy tortilla chips for scooping the thick dip.
- Offer toasted baguette slices for a crunchy, breaded bite.
- Lay out crackers, pretzels, or pita chips for variety.
- Add sliced bell peppers, cucumbers, or carrot sticks for a lighter option.
- Pair with a fresh salad or simple veggie platter to balance the richness.
- Add a bowl of pickles or pickled jalapeños for guests who like tang and heat.
VARIATIONS
- Make it smoky: Use smoked sausage or add a teaspoon of smoked paprika.
- Go spicy: Use hot sausage and increase cayenne to taste.
- Add veggies: Stir in a cup of cooked corn, black beans, or chopped spinach for color and texture.
- Make it cheesy: Add a half cup more cheddar or a few ounces of pepper jack for a sharper bite.
- Swap meats: Use cooked ground beef or shredded cooked chicken instead of sausage.
- Slow cooker: Mix all ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low for 1 to 2 hours until bubbly.
- Lighter version: Use low-fat cream cheese and sour cream, and drain sausage well.
FAQs
Q: Can I make Hissy Fit Dip ahead of time?
A: Yes. You can prepare the dip up to a day before. Store it covered in the fridge and bake it when ready to serve.
Q: Can I use turkey sausage or plant-based sausage?
A: Yes. Turkey or plant-based sausage works. Cook and drain it the same as regular sausage.
Q: How do I keep the dip from getting oily?
A: Drain the cooked sausage well and blot excess grease with a paper towel. Use lean sausage for less oil.
Q: Can I add more vegetables to the dip?
A: Yes. Cooked corn, beans, or chopped spinach mix in well. Stir them in before baking so they heat through.
Q: What should I serve with this dip for a crowd?
A: Offer a mix of tortilla chips, crackers, toasted bread, and vegetable sticks so guests have many choices.
Q: Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker?
A: Yes. Mix all ingredients in the slow cooker and heat on low until hot and bubbly, about 1 to 2 hours.
MAKE-AHEAD TIPS FOR Hissy Fit Dip
- Mix the filling and store it covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Bake just before serving.
- Cook the sausage and drain it, then freeze it in a small bag. When ready, thaw and mix with the other ingredients.
- If you want to save time at the party, assemble the dip in the baking dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Bake when guests arrive.
- If transporting to an event, keep the dip in a heat-safe pan and reheat in a heated oven at the host location or use a slow cooker to keep it warm.
Hissy Fit Dip
Ingredients
Method
- Take the cream cheese out of the fridge to soften. Shred the cheddar and mozzarella if not pre-shredded. Drain the Rotel in a small colander or on a paper towel. Chop parsley or green onions for garnish.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground sausage and cook until browned and crumbly, about 6 to 8 minutes. Break it up with a spatula as it cooks. When done, drain excess grease.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese and sour cream. Use a spoon or a hand mixer on low to blend until smooth.
- Stir in Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper (if using), and a little salt and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings lightly.
- Add the drained Rotel, shredded cheddar, and shredded mozzarella into the bowl. Fold all ingredients together until well mixed.
- Spoon the dip mixture into a greased 9-inch baking dish. Smooth the top with a spatula.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the baking dish on the middle rack and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the dip is hot and bubbly.
- Remove the dip from the oven with oven mitts. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or green onions on top.
- Serve warm with tortilla chips, crackers, or toasted bread.