Sweet Potato "Rotel" Dip & Game Day Recipes! |

It is truly a remarkable thing.
A rectangular block of neon orange cheese, with the disturbing texture of overly-firm jello, and a sheen only attributable to industrial production, meets heat, pressure, and a can of salty smushed tomatoes...
And the result is an addictingly delicious dip with a regular place in America's game day snacking rotation!!! VELVEETA + ROTEL, people. The magic is real.
The only problem with this iconic combination? Well, just about everything else. I want to applaud whoever successfully marketed Velveeta as a cheese, considering that "cheese culture" is the LAST ingredient in a very long list of man-made and dubious others. I'm actually not even sure where we first got the idea that cheese is orange, since as far as I can tell, no creature's milk comes out in any similar shade.
Details aside, Velveeta has no place in a healthy, balanced kitchen. Rotel ingredients are less offensive, but I don't need citric acid and calcium chloride in my snacks when I can avoid it, thank you very much.
You know what I do need, though? THIS LL Balanced version of said traditional Rotel 'Queso' Dip!
I refused to have this classic flavor combination sidelined completely, so I decided to make one myself. And oh goodness, is it delicious!!!
Sweet potatoes replace the slightly sweet flavor and creaminess of Velveeta, and cauliflower adds bulk and nutrition without a lot of calories. Nutritional yeast and miso paste provide cheesiness and umami, as does roasting and caramelizing the veggies. Instead of Rotel, I stir in a whole-foods ingredient salsa that is low in sodium.
As I mention in the instructions, if you want to add chorizo or bacon or chicken you totally can, or you could add diced tomatoes or green peppers for a little more texture. However you serve it, this will be a welcome addition to the game day table, especially for those who've missed their Rotel Dip!
Want some other healthy Game Day recipes? Here are some favorites from the LL Balanced archives!
5 Ingredient PB&J Energy Bites
Gooey Chocolate Chip-Pea Blondies
Mexican Chicken Tortilla Casserole
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