This Hot Cowboy Dip Vanishes on Game Day (It’s Impossible to Stop Eating)

You can make it as spicy or as mild as you like.

By
Megan Scott
Meg Scott
Megan Scott

Megan is a senior editor and recipe developer with 15 years of wide-ranging experience. Her obsession with food and cooking began in childhood and adolescence, with early cooking experiments that involved setting the oven on fire while trying to make croissants for the first time (they still tasted great!).

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Published January 20, 2026
Meg Scott
  • Sausage and jalapeño give this dip a hearty, spicy flavor that stands out at parties.
  • The spice level can be easily adapted to suit both heat-lovers and mild palates.
  • This quick dip can be made start-to-finish in 35 minutes—perfect for game day entertaining.

Someone smarter than me should do a study of why people love “cowboy” recipes so much. Does the allure of those dungaree-clad, lasso-wielding ranchhands transfer to foods christened with their name? Did all those dusty westerns our fathers watched when we were children seep into our collective memory, making our ears (and appetites) perk up over cowboy beans, cowboy caviar, and cowboy stew?

I think “cowboy” is a promise of something rustic and hearty but with a twinge of excitement. A little spicy, a little rough around the edges, but ultimately stick-to-your-ribs comfort food with attitude.

This hot cowboy dip follows in that tradition. Enriched with sausage and spiced with jalapeño and chili powder, this dip is one that you can imagine eating around a campfire after a long, cattle-driving day (or something like that). Or, you know, in front of the television with the game on.

A skillet of cheesy dip topped with chopped green onions a person lifting some with a chip

Simply Recipes / Photo by Greg Dupree / Prop Styling by Christina Daley / Food Styling by Emily Hall

Adjusting the Spice Level

This dip is not super spicy, but if you’re more mild than wild (no shame), omit the jalapeño, use mild chili seasoning, and swap the pepper Jack for colby Jack or even cheddar. If, on the other hand, you like to feel something when you eat, increase the amount of jalapeño, add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce, or stir in a pinch or two of cayenne pepper.

Easy Swaps

  • Sausage: Instead of breakfast sausage, use fresh, Mexican-style chorizo. Make sure to drain the sausage well after browning.
  • Frozen corn: Canned corn may be used instead of frozen. Just drain the corn very well before adding.
  • Jalapeño: Chopped poblano or even green bell pepper can be substituted for the jalapeño.
  • Pepper Jack: Use any flavorful but melty cheese instead of the pepper Jack—cheddar, mozzarella, or Mexican-blend shredded cheese all work well.
Hot dip in a castiron skillet someone scooping with a tortilla chip

Simply Recipes / Photo by Greg Dupree / Prop Styling by Christina Daley / Food Styling by Emily Hall

More Game Day-Approved Snacks

Hot Cowboy Dip

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 25 mins
Total Time 35 mins
Servings 12 servings

This recipe was developed by Amanda Stanfield.

Keep Screen Awake

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces spicy breakfast sausage

  • 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, cubed and softened

  • 1 (10-ounce) can tomatoes with green chiles (such as Ro-Tel), undrained 

  • 1 cup frozen corn kernels

  • 1 cup sour cream

  • 1 large jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (about 1/4 cup)

  • 2 tablespoons hot or original chili seasoning mix (such as McCormick)

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded pepper Jack cheese, divided

  • Sliced green onions, chipotle chile powder, and/or chopped cilantro, for garnish, optional

  • Tortilla chips, corn chips, or Doritos, for serving

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Brown the sausage:

    Add the sausage to a 10-inch cast iron skillet and set over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up the meat into small bite-sized pieces, until browned, about 7 minutes. Using a spoon, drain any excess fat, if needed.

    A castiron skillet with cooked ground meat part of a recipe preparation - Hot Cowboy Dip

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Greg Dupree / Prop Styling by Christina Daley / Food Styling by Emily Hall
  3. Add the other ingredients:

    Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the cream cheese, tomatoes and green chiles, corn, sour cream, chopped jalapeños, chili seasoning mix, salt, and 1 cup of the pepper Jack cheese. Stir and cook until well combined and the mixture is creamy, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat.

    A hand holding a spoon scooping from a skillet containing a creamy dip

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Greg Dupree / Prop Styling by Christina Daley / Food Styling by Emily Hall
  4. Top with cheese and bake:

    Top with the remaining 1 cup pepper Jack cheese. Bake until warmed through and the cheese is melted, about 12 minutes. 

    If desired, set the oven to broil and broil until the cheese is lightly browned in spots and the edges begin to bubble, 1 to 2 minutes.

    A skillet of baked dip with a melted cheese topping

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Greg Dupree / Prop Styling by Christina Daley / Food Styling by Emily Hall
  5. Finish and serve:

    Carefully remove the skillet from the oven (the handle will be hot!). Garnish with green onions, cilantro, and/or a sprinkle of chipotle powder, if desired. Serve immediately with chips of your choice.

    Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!

    A hand garnishing a cheesy baked dish in a cast iron skillet with herbs

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Greg Dupree / Prop Styling by Christina Daley / Food Styling by Emily Hall
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
352 Calories
31g Fat
7g Carbs
13g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount per serving
Calories 352
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 31g 39%
Saturated Fat 16g 79%
Cholesterol 91mg 30%
Sodium 658mg 29%
Total Carbohydrate 7g 3%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 13g
Vitamin C 4mg 19%
Calcium 207mg 16%
Iron 1mg 4%
Potassium 249mg 5%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.