Easy Queso Dip
Ready in about 15 minutes, this easy Queso Dip is a tasty appetizer or snack. Perfect for Game Day, Cinco de Mayo or any occasion!
Doesn’t it seem like time flies after the holidays! Yes, it’s hard to believe that Super Bowl is almost here, with all the excitement and great food. And what’s more welcome than an appetizer that’s cheesy, spicy and crunchy!
I first made today’s Queso Dip several years ago after a trip to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. I picked up my college student daughter at ASU and we traveled by way of the Bandura Volcano and Ice Cave.
It boasts an extinct volcano crater, hardened lava flows, and an ice cave with a year-round floor of green ice. Such a fun way to spend college fall break!
A trip to the Southwest is always fun! And the only downside is that once I get home, I keep craving heat in my food!
Why You’ll Love This!
Flavorful. Cheesy, with a little or a lot of spice (per your taste), this is a tasty and fun snack or appetizer.
Easy. Even with regular cheese, this is quick and easy to make!
Calcium-rich. You won’t feel guilty with all the calcium-filled cheese in this recipe!
Step by Step Overview
Chop shallot then reserve 1 Tablespoon for garnish.
Melt butter or oil in a medium saucepan then add the remaining shallot and jalapeno. Sautee until tender, about 3 minutes.
Stir in flour and cook for about a minute.
Gradually add in the milk, stirring constantly and bring to a simmer. Cook until thickened, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the cheeses a handful at a time and continue stirring until all of the cheese is melted. Set aside 1 Tablespoon of cilantro then stir in the rest.
Taste and add hot sauce as needed.
Combine reserved shallot, reserved cilantro and chopped tomato as garnish.
Pour into serving dish, then top with the shallot, tomato and cilantro garnish. Serve hot, with chips.
Variations
Many recipes call for Velveeta cheese and claim that this is the most authentic. But given that this blog is about natural foods AND I’m a Wisconsin gal, I used regular (unprocessed) cheddar and pepper jack. And really, it isn’t difficult.
Now you’re into smoked foods, you can do a Smoked Queso Dip! And if you’d like a dip with beans too, take a look at this cheesy bean dip.
Tips & FAQs
You can use frozen jalapeno peppers and frozen tomatoes for this. That makes the recipe completely pantry-ready!
Like all natural foods, jalapeno peppers will vary in size and heat. This means that adding some hot sauce is likely to be important to get the heat level you want. Cholula would be a more authentic sauce, but you can use what you have on hand from Tabasco to Sriracha.
After living in Arizona for four years, my daughter was big into Southwest authenticity. So I’m not making any claims about this recipe. But I can attest that this Queso Dip is easy and tasty–and will add a little spice to your appetizer repertoire!
Superbowl Snacks
- 7 Layer Sheet Pan Nachos from Creative Cynchronicity
- Air Fryer Sweet Chili Paneer (redo) from Magical Ingredients
- Buffalo Chicken Meatball Subs from The Spiffy Cookie
- Caramelized Onion Dip from That Recipe
- Chuy’s Jalapeno Dip from Jen Around the World
- Curried Duck Mini Meat Pies from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Easy Queso Dip from Art of Natural Living
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Easy Queso Dip
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1 shallot finely diced and divided
- 2 jalapeno peppers seeds removed and minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
- 1 cup reduced fat milk or other milk
- 2 cup cheddar cheese grated
- 1 cup pepper jack cheese grated, or Monterey Jack
- hot sauce to taste any type
- 1 roma tomato chopped
- 3/4 cup cilantro chopped and divided
Instructions
- Chop shallot then reserve 1 Tablespoon for garnish.
- Melt butter or oil in a medium saucepan then add the remaining shallot and jalapeno. Sautee until tender, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in flour and cook for about a minute.
- Gradually add in the milk, stirring constantly and bring to a simmer. Cook until thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the cheeses a handful at a time and continue stirring until all of the cheese is melted. Set aside 1 Tablespoon of cilantro then stir in the rest.
- Taste and add hot sauce as needed.
- Combine reserved shallot, reserved cilantro and chopped tomato as garnish
- Pour into serving dish, then top with the shallot, tomato and cilantro garnish. Serve hot, with chips.
Nutrition
Updated from the original, posted Nov 4, 2018
Flavors spot on! This is always a winner! Gamenight can’t be without this dip.
Here’s to Game Day snacks!
hooray for a velveeta-less cheese dip!!
gorgeous pictures–i’d love to see this place in person.
I’ve heard about the ice cave, but I’ve never been. They should add that to my list of things to explore in Arizona! The queso dip sounds really good and perfect for casual entertaining!
I have never reported back, but I love this queso dip and have made it several times. It is so easy and full of flavor.
How interesting the ice cave…first time I heard of it…what a fun experience Inger…and yes, I love a creamy rich cheese dip, especially with a hint of heat…indeed great for appetizer.
Enjoy your week!
This dip is right up my alley! The ice cave sounds so interesting – and one wonders what it was used for in times gone by – off to Wiki to read more 🙂
I imagine in the days before refrigeration/air conditioning the cave was appreciated for more than a curiosity!