The Creamiest Queso Recipe
After experimenting and making 3 different test batches of homemade queso dip, Ive finally perfected this recipe so that it comes out luxuriously creamy every time. The secret ingredient?
Cream cheese.
The cream cheese holds all the melted shredded cheeses together and keeps the queso silky smooth for a longer period of time compared to using no cream cheese at all. Which means you can sit back and enjoy your queso without having to worry about it getting chunky or hard once you take it off the heat.
What Makes A Great Homemade Queso
For me, a great queso dip is smooth and creamy with a slight tang. Lets be honest, there are days when we must feed our families , but we just cant muster up the effort to make something elaborate. This homemade queso saves the day.
Not a lot of prep is involved and when topped with a cooked protein like taco meat or chorizo and served with chips or warm tortillas it becomes a complete meal.
How To Make The Best Homemade Queso Dip
This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. If youre looking for the full recipe measurements and instructions, scroll down to Recipe Details.
Step 1 In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and cook the white onion and garlic until tender and fragrant.
Step 2 Add the cheese, evaporated milk, tomato, chiles, milk, flour, and salt and pepper to saucepan, then cook and stir until the cheese is melted and creamy.
Step 3 Serve queso dip with chips and enjoy!
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Variations On This Easy Cheese Sauce:
- Creamy Enchilada Sauce: Use Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese. Add 1 tablespoon of chili powder for an irresistible enchilada sauce.
- Nacho Cheese Sauce: Use Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack cheese. Add 1/2 cup of salsa for an easy nacho cheese sauce perfect for chip dip!
- For Macaroni and Cheese:Double all ingredient amounts! I like cheddar for macaroni and cheese, but use whatever youd like!
- To make dip for Chicken Cordon Bleu Skewers: Use Swiss cheese and add 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard. Its irresistible!
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on , , or !
Queso Cheese Dip Ingredients
The three ingredients I used to make this simple cheese dip are:
- plenty of real cheddar cheese
- half and half for richness
- corn starch to thicken
Cant beat that, 3 ingredients that you likely already have on hand!
I used Argo® Corn Starch because its a brand I trust and can always rely on for a consistent result to thicken my soups, sauces, stir-fries, gravies and so forth.
I like to use it here because it skips a step in making a roux with butter and flour and that also equates to little less cooking time too.
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How To Thicken Your Cheese Sauce
The best way to thicken your homemade queso is to use cornstarch as the thickening agent instead of flour.
It can be tricky to know when to choose cornstarch and when to choose flour. But the general rule of thumb is that if you plan to cook something a long time, use flour, and if you need your thickening agent to act quickly, use cornstarch.
Flour produces a much better flavor over time, but must be cooked quite a bit to ensure your recipe is smooth, not gritty.
How To Make White Queso In A Slow Cooker:
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Real Cheese Queso Dip
So… here it is. This is a great basic recipe, feel free to play with it.
Toss in some chopped chilis , maybe some chopped cilantro .
Swap out some or all of the cheese for Monterrey Jack, or another favourite cheese in that texture/hardness level.
Its very adaptable! The amount of cheese you end up needing will depend on how much liquid is in your salsa, and what kind of cheese you’re using.
Want to get a bit fancier with it? Try our earlier recipe, Southwest Fondue!
Add The Ingredients To The Crock Pot
Add the cheese to the crockpot along with 2 cans of Rotel.
Dont drain the Rotel. The juice from the tomatoes adds to the flavor and texture of the dip.
Put the lid on the slow cooker.
Since neither of the ingredients go bad quickly, I usually prepare it up to this point a few hours before the party. Plug the crockpot in where you want it to go, but dont turn it on yet.
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Using Fresh Grated Cheese
Pre shredded cheese is not the way to go for this recipe, as fresh just tastes so much better and makes a big difference in the quality of the nacho cheese sauce.
For a super thick sauce, just leave it on the heat a little longer, watching and stirring so that it doesnt burn.
This nacho cheese recipe is similar to my cheddar cheese sauce recipe , but made with colby jack cheese and mexican spices to create a nacho cheese flavor.
What White Cheese Do Mexican Restaurants Use For Quesadillas
To create good quesadillas, you must use Mexican cheese. Oaxaca cheese and Chihuahua cheese are fantastic because they melt readily and have a firm, luxurious texture. Besides these varieties, there are plenty of others available in Mexico and even in large, modern U.S. markets. There are several chains like Target and Walmart.
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What To Serve With This Crock Pot Queso
You can serve queso alongside salsa, sour cream and chips. You can even serve this queso alongside your favorite meals as a sauce.
Its also delicious served with Potato Wedges . Or you can spoon it over tacos or fajitas or grilled chicken. We also love to serve over simple baked potatoes. so much flavor!
Queso Made With Real Cheese
Im so excited about this queso because it is made with real cheese and free from the preservatives and questionable ingredients that you see in most cheese sauces. This is a super creamy cheese sauce with loads of cheddar and a touch of cream cheese.
You can serve this queso alongside a big bowl of tortilla chips for dipping, or you can take the queso and stir it into elbow macaroni for a bold homemade macaroni and cheese. Theres bound to be a version that your game day crowd will love. Whether you make this as a snack or a meal the flavor will not disappoint.
Gather your people, turn on the big game, and dive into some queso.
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More Easy Dip Recipes:
Knorr Spinach Dip is the classic party appetizer. My kids will seriously make a meal of it and its always the first thing to disappear at any gathering.
Million Dollar Dip is filled with cream cheese, sharp cheddar and loads of bacon plus crunchy smoked almonds. This is always a crowd favorite to serve with chips, crackers or veggies.
Chunky Vegetable Dip is a favorite for those who are looking for a lighter snack. Dont worry, its not light on taste! Lots of crunchy vegetables and fresh herbs make this creamy dip so irresistible.
Queso is one of my most favorite foods on the planet. I love it any way you make it. I grew up in Arkansas where we call it Cheese Dip. I suppose everywhere else in America it is called Queso, whatever you call it, grab a bag of chips and get to dipping!
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How To Make Chip Dip
Thats right just 3 ingredients and 30 seconds is all it takes to get this out of this world chip dip recipe on the table! And yeah, I guess this is more of a semi-homemade chip dip, but its still FAR better than any store bought chip dip Ive tried these days.
My not so secret ingredient is Philadelphia Chive & Onion Cream Cheese, which can be found with the cream cheese spreads in the dairy department. Its what gives this chip dip its fresh flavor and creamy texture.
I typically let it sit out for about 30 minutes to soften before preparing this dip, but you can also use it right out of the refrigerator with a hand mixer to smooth out any lumps. Actually, I just prefer to use my hand mixer for it anyhow, because it makes this chip dip super creamy and light. To the cream cheese you just need to add your favorite sour cream and about a tablespoon of dry ranch dressing mix. Easy-peasy!
Oh, and while developing my own homemade dry ranch dressing mix is on my to-do list, for todays purposes, I just grabbed a packet of Hidden Valley Ranch Dry Ranch Dressing Mix from the salad dressing aisle. Did you know it also comes in a big shaker container now? Meaning youre not stuck with a partial package of dry ranch mix sitting around!
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How Do You Melt Velveeta Singles
Melt Velveeta in the Microwave If you dont have a box grater or food processor, cube the Velveeta the smaller the cubes, the more quickly the Velveeta melts. Place the shredded cheese in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high for two minutes. Stir the Velveeta and repeat until the cheese is melted.
- Onionsgreen onions diced
- Baconcrumbled
Old cheddar cheese is a type of aged cheddar that will add a great flavor to your dip and can be found with all the other types of cheeses. If you cant find aged cheddar you can also use regular cheddar or even another type of shredded cheese for this dip.
Before starting let your block of cream cheese come to room temperature so that it blends smoothly. If you dont have time to cook bacon or want to make the recipe even easier, you can substitute store-bought bacon bits.
Cream cheese dip tastes delicious with a variety of different dipping options including veggies, crackers, and chips. Serve this dip with celery sticks, pretzel thins, tortilla chips, bagel chips, potato chips, or as a spread for crackers or toast.
Can You Make This Dip In Advance
Yes, you can. Once made, this dip can be stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container until ready to eat. However, the dips consistency will become almost a solid once chilled and will need to be reheated to become a creamy liquid again.
If the dip is too thick once reheated, try adding a few splashes of milk. Or, if you find the dip is too watery, just heat the dip until some of the moisture cooks out.
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Does This Stay Smooth And Creamy As It Cools
The evaporated milk helps this Mexican cheese dip stay creamy, but it will still harden as it cools . So if youre not going to be inhaling this in 10 minutes, follow these tips to keep it nice and warm .
To keep it warm:
- After making it, move it into a slow cooker and set it to WARM. You can easily serve the dip straight out of the crock pot, AND keep it warm, smooth, and creamy through the whole party.
- Otherwise, just heat it up in the microwave for 30 seconds and stir generously once it starts to get cold.
- It reheats beautifully after refrigerating too! Add a bit of milk while stirring and reheating on the stove to help hydrate it and add creaminess back in.
Slow Cooker Queso With Real Cheddar Cheese
This queso is made with real cheddar cheese instead of a processed cheese. Its also made in the slow cooker so its simpler than ever to make.
As Americans, its in our nature to enjoy dunking things in cheese. Go to any tailgating event or sports watch-a-thon and theres bound to be a bowl of queso surrounded by a pile of tortilla chips.
Luckily, its quite simple to throw together a good chile con queso and it works well for feeding a large crowd. While a processed cheese such as Velveeta may be the gold standard in most queso dip recipes, we wanted to give regular shredded cheddar cheese a try as a less-processed alternative.
Lets jump in!
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How To Make Beer Cheese Dip
This cheesy appetizer is as easy as 1, 2, 3 and will probably be enjoyed just as quickly! This starts with a roux to make a thick sauce.
Tip: Shred your own cheese from a block. Pre-shredded cheeses have additives that keeps it from sticking in the bag so it may not melt nicely.
Are There Different Types Of Queso
There are certainly a lot of variations of queso dip and you can play around with them once you perfect the base. Some dips include diced chilies and tomatoes while others include cooked meat. You can include taco meat or crumbled chorizo for a spicy finish. You might also try different cheeses, such as cream cheese or Velveeta, for different consistencies. Toppings also can create variations, such as sour cream, diced tomatoes or freshly chopped cilantro.
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Can You Tell Me What Sort Of Cheese They Ries Do They Use At Mexican Restaurants
In addition to queso blanco and Monterey Jack, cheeses like Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and queso arent the only varieties of cheese commonly found on a South American meal. In addition to the fact that Los Blancos and cheddar cheese originate in Mexico but are both English-born, Monterey Jack has both Mexican and American cultures.
What Is Queso Is It Just Melted Cheese
The literal translation of queso is cheese, but when we talk about it, were talking specifically about the melty, liquidy, amazing goodness that is queso DIP. I always think of the traditional kind you get at Mexican restaurants, which is why I wanted make this authentic white queso recipe.
This is truly the cheese dip of your DREAMS! Its a copycat recipe from your favorite restaurant. Ive loaded mine with green chiles, spices, and topped with cilantro, jalapeños, and tomatoes. Perfect!
Queso is meant for a Party
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How To Make Shredded Cheese Into Cheese Sauce
3-Ingredient Queso Cheese Dip is the easiest recipe for a cheese dip! It has a rich and creamy texture, a satisfying cheese flavor, and its made with real ingredients, no artificial cheese here!
Ive partnered with Argo® Corn Starch to create this simple Cheese Dip recipe.
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What The Dip Is Made Of/what Gives It Flavor
I swear its the best cheese dip ever! I had to come up with my own recipe because it can be really hard to find a good one in restaurants. Many use that fake cheese that has a terrible aftertaste. Theres nothing like the real thing using real cheese.
The dip usually has a kick to it so I use chili powder, cumin, and fire-roasted tomatoes. You can add cayenne pepper and jalapenos to really kick it up.
You will also need milk and half and half to get it creamy. You can use any milk you wish, but keep in mind the texture and taste of the milk will impact the recipe. The taste of your milk will carry into the dip, along with the texture. Milks that are thin, will thin out the dip and you will need to thicken it up using more cornstarch.
A lot of recipes use condensed milk, which is a combination of milk and sugar. I opted for milk and half and half, but feel free to use the same amount of condensed milk as the total amount of milk and half and half used in the recipe.
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Important Ingredients For Microwave Cheese Dip
The base of this simple recipe, lightly adapted from Bon Appetit, is made up of three simple ingredients when combined create a smooth and creamy cheese dip.
- Real mild cheddar cheese and fontina cheese: Be sure to buy blocks of cheese and grate it yourself. You will need 8 ounces total of cheese which should be weighed before you shred it.
- Ive tested this recipe using cups of shredded cheese and have gotten mixed results because the total amount of cheese will vary depending on how tightly you pack it into the measuring cup.
- I havent tested this recipe with pre-shredded cheese. If you do please let me know how it went in the comments!
- Cornstarch: Because were using real cheese we need a stabilizer, in this case, cornstarch, so that the cheese melts evenly and doesnt get stringy.
- Evaporated milk is the other secret ingredient used to create a smooth and creamy dip. Its more concentrated than regular milk and cream resulting in a smooth and shiny dip.
