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Beer Cheese Dip

Featured in Perfect Bites for Any Occasion.

This incredible beer cheese sausage dip combines savory Italian sausage with a rich three-cheese sauce that gets amazing depth from your favorite beer! As the sausage cooks, it releases incredible flavors that blend perfectly with the creamy cheese sauce. The addition of Dijon mustard and carefully chosen spices creates layers of flavor that make this dip absolutely irresistible. Served hot and bubbling, it's the kind of party appetizer that has everyone gathering around the bowl and asking for the recipe!
A smiling woman in a chef's jacket stands in a commercial kitchen, looking at the camera with various food containers and utensils in the background.
Updated on Tue, 14 Jan 2025 23:02:21 GMT
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A baked dish featuring golden-brown meatballs topped with melted cheese and garnished with green onions, served in a red casserole dish. Pin it
A baked dish featuring golden-brown meatballs topped with melted cheese and garnished with green onions, served in a red casserole dish. | tasteofcook.com

Let me tell you about my Hot Sausage Beer Cheese Dip that's become legendary at our game day parties. Picture this: spicy Italian sausage swimming in a pool of four melted cheeses with a twist of beer for good measure. I created this recipe when hosting our first Super Bowl party and now my friends literally beg me to make it for every gathering.

What Makes This Dip Special

There's something magical that happens when you combine hot sausage melty cheese and a splash of beer. The flavors are incredible and the texture is so creamy you'll want to eat it by the spoonful. My favorite part? You can make it ahead and keep it warm in the slow cooker all day long perfect for those marathon game days.

Your Shopping List

  • Italian Sausage: I use the spicy kind but mild works if you're feeding heat sensitive folks
  • Beer: Grab your favorite lager nothing too dark or hoppy
  • Shredded Cheddar: Sharp cheddar is my go to for that bold flavor
  • Mozzarella: This gives you those amazing cheese pulls
  • Cream Cheese: Let it soften on the counter first
  • Parmesan: Fresh grated makes such a difference
  • Milk: Makes everything extra creamy
  • Flour: Just a bit to keep things smooth
  • Dijon Mustard: My secret ingredient for depth
  • Garlic & Onion Powder: Because more flavor is always better
  • Salt & Pepper: Season to taste you might not need much

Let's Make It Together

Start With The Sausage
Brown it up nice and crispy breaking it into little bits as it cooks.
Beer Time
Get your beer simmering then start melting in that cream cheese. Keep stirring it'll get smooth.
Cheese Party
Now add all those gorgeous shredded cheeses watch them melt into gooey perfection.
Make It Smooth
Mix in your milk flour seasonings and that secret touch of Dijon until everything's silky.
Bring It All Together
Stir that crispy sausage back in let all those flavors mingle.
Time to Dig In
Pour it into a pretty bowl or your slow cooker surround it with chips and watch it disappear.

Switch Things Up

Sometimes I throw in some extra heat with hot sausage and red pepper flakes when I'm feeding my spice loving friends. Love smoky flavors? Try swapping in some gouda. And for my veggie friends I skip the sausage and load it up with sautéed peppers and mushrooms instead.

A close-up of a cheesy baked dish with meatballs and green onions, served in a red casserole dish. Pin it
A close-up of a cheesy baked dish with meatballs and green onions, served in a red casserole dish. | tasteofcook.com

My Best Kitchen Secrets

Here's what I've learned after making this dip countless times: keep your heat medium low rushing the cheese melting is a recipe for disaster. Don't skip the flour it's your insurance policy against grainy cheese. And please use a beer you'd actually drink it really matters for the flavor.

Keeping It Fresh

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Pop it in a container it'll stay good in the fridge for a few days. When you're ready for round two warm it up slowly either on the stove or in the microwave. A splash of milk helps bring back that creamy texture. Just skip the freezer cheese dips get weird when frozen.

How to Serve It Right

I love setting this out with a variety of dippers. Tortilla chips pretzels chunks of crusty bread fresh veggies everyone can find their favorite. For parties my slow cooker is my best friend keeps the dip perfectly melty all day long.

Party Prep Tips

Want to get ahead of the game? Make this dip up to three days before your party. Store it in the fridge then warm it up when you're ready to serve. I always keep some extra milk handy just in case it needs thinning out after reheating.

More Party Favorites

If you're loving this dip you've got to try these other crowd pleasers from my kitchen: My famous Buffalo Chicken Dip that disappears in minutes, The most loaded nachos you'll ever taste, Garlic Parmesan Breadsticks that are perfect for dunking. Trust me these will make you the party food MVP.

A close-up of a baked casserole topped with sausage, melted cheese, and green onions in a red dish. Pin it
A close-up of a baked casserole topped with sausage, melted cheese, and green onions in a red dish. | tasteofcook.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What type of beer works best in this dip?
A light lager or pilsner works great as it won't overpower the cheese. Avoid very hoppy beers as they can make the dip bitter.
→ Can I make this dip ahead of time?
You can make it up to 24 hours ahead and reheat slowly in a slow cooker or on the stovetop. Add a splash of milk while reheating if needed to maintain the creamy texture.
→ How long will this dip stay good in a slow cooker?
The dip can be kept warm in a slow cooker for 2-3 hours. Stir occasionally and add a bit of warm milk if it starts to thicken too much.
→ What can I substitute for the beer?
You can use chicken broth or non-alcoholic beer instead. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
→ Why did my cheese sauce get grainy?
To prevent graininess, add cheese gradually over low heat and stir constantly. Make sure cream cheese is fully softened and shredded cheese is at room temperature.

Beer Cheese Dip

Rich and creamy beer cheese dip loaded with Italian sausage and three kinds of cheese. Perfect warm dip for chips, pretzels, or bread.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes

Category: Snacks & Starters

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (4 cups)

Dietary: Low-Carb

Ingredients

01 1 pound Italian sausage.
02 1 cup beer.
03 8 ounces cream cheese, softened.
04 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese.
05 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese.
06 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
07 1/2 cup milk.
08 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour.
09 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard.
10 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
11 1/2 teaspoon onion powder.
12 1/2 teaspoon salt.
13 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.

Instructions

Step 01

Brown Italian sausage in a skillet over medium heat, breaking into crumbles until fully cooked.

Step 02

Simmer beer in a large saucepan, then gradually melt in cream cheese while stirring.

Step 03

Slowly stir in cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan until completely melted and smooth.

Step 04

Mix in milk, flour, Dijon, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until thickened.

Step 05

Stir in cooked sausage until evenly distributed.

Step 06

Transfer to serving dish and serve hot with chips or pretzels.

Notes

  1. Can be kept warm in a slow cooker.
  2. Use hot Italian sausage for extra spice.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large saucepan.
  • Skillet.
  • Slow cooker (optional).

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy.
  • Wheat.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 350
  • Total Fat: 25 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 7 g
  • Protein: 20 g