My husband insists we make this legendary 3 ingredient appetizer for every basketball tournament watch party. It bubbles into a thick spicy cheese mixture that is completely addictive when scooped up

This 3-ingredient creamy sausage dip is the one my husband starts asking for as soon as the brackets come out every March. I first tasted a version of it at a church potluck back in the late 1980s, when slow cookers lined the fellowship hall and every other dish seemed to involve sausage, cheese, or both. Over the years I pared it down to just three pantry-friendly ingredients that melt together into a thick, spicy, cheese-laden mixture dotted with savory sausage and green chilies. It bubbles away in a warm slow cooker while the game is on, and folks stand around it with sturdy tortilla chips, pretending they’re just having “one more bite” until the bowl is scraped clean.

Serve this creamy sausage dip straight from the warm slow cooker set to LOW or WARM, with a big bowl of thick, sturdy tortilla chips that can stand up to the heavy, cheesy mixture. It’s also wonderful with corn chips, toasted baguette slices, or crisp celery sticks if you want something fresh and crunchy alongside all that richness. Round out a watch-party spread with a simple green salad, a tray of raw vegetables, and maybe a light fruit salad to balance the hearty dip. Keep extra chips nearby, because once that pale orange, bubbling cheese and sausage mixture hits the table, it disappears faster than the first time-out.

Servings: 10-12

1 pound bulk pork breakfast sausage or mild Italian sausage, casings removed

Brown the sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, crumble the sausage and cook, stirring often, until it is well browned and no pink remains, about 8–10 minutes. Use a spoon to break it into small crumbles as it cooks so it blends nicely into the dip.

Drain excess fat: When the sausage is cooked through, tilt the skillet and spoon off most of the excess grease, leaving just a light coating so the meat stays moist. This keeps the finished dip thick instead of oily.

Layer ingredients in slow cooker: Place the cubed processed American cheese into a 3- to 4-quart slow cooker. Spoon the browned sausage over the top, then pour in both cans of diced tomatoes with green chilies, including all the juices.

Heat until melted and bubbly: Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 1–1½ hours, or on LOW for 2–3 hours, stirring every 30 minutes, until the cheese is completely melted and the mixture is smooth, thick, and bubbling around the edges. The dip should be a pale orange color with visible sausage crumbles and flecks of green chilies.

Hold warm for serving: Turn the slow cooker to WARM (or LOW if your cooker doesn’t have a warm setting) and give the dip a final stir. Set out sturdy tortilla chips and let guests scoop the hot, creamy mixture straight from the crock. Stir occasionally during the party to keep the texture even.

Stovetop option: If you’re short on time, combine the browned, drained sausage, cheese cubes, and canned tomatoes with green chilies in a heavy saucepan or Dutch oven. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, for 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the dip is thick and creamy. Transfer to a small warm slow cooker for serving if desired.

For a spicier kick, use hot pork sausage and the “hot” variety of diced tomatoes with green chilies, or stir in a pinch of crushed red pepper as the dip melts. If you prefer things milder, choose mild sausage and substitute one can of plain petite diced tomatoes for one of the cans with green chilies. You can also swap part of the processed American cheese for cream cheese (use 24 ounces American cheese and 8 ounces cream cheese) for an extra tangy, ultra-creamy texture. Add-ins like a drained can of black beans or a small can of drained corn give the dip more body and stretch it for larger crowds without changing the basic character. Leftover dip thickens as it cools; rewarm it gently in the microwave or slow cooker, stirring in a splash of milk if needed to loosen. If you don’t have a slow cooker, keep the dip warm on the stovetop over the lowest heat, stirring often so it doesn’t scorch on the bottom. For a fun twist, spoon the hot dip into hollowed-out bread bowls or over baked potatoes or tater tots the next day—my grandkids call that “tournament potatoes,” and it’s become its own little tradition.