This Easy Queso Recipe comes together fast and tastes way better than anything store-bought! Made with melty American cheese, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and a few pantry spices, it’s creamy, flavorful, and perfect for dipping tortilla chips into or drizzling over nachos.

Queso topped with cilantro in a saucepan.

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    Before you get started / Kelley’s tips

    • Use American cheese. It melts super smoothly, giving you that classic creamy queso texture.
    • Don’t skip the sauté. Cooking the onions, garlic, and spices in a skillet first gives them a better flavor and texture, rather than just tossing everything together.
    • Thin it out if needed. If the queso gets too thick, just stir in a splash of milk until it’s at the right consistency.

    Ingredients

    • Olive oil – Used for sauteing the onion and garlic, and blooming the spices.
    • Onion – Adds a subtle sweet and savory flavor.
    • Garlic – Adds warmth and richness.
    • American cheese – Melts like a dream to give the queso that signature creamy texture!
    • Diced tomatoes with green chiles – Adds a tangy, slightly spicy kick that helps to balance the richness of the cheese.
    • Seasonings – A blend of chili powder, cumin, and oregano give the queso a kick and extra flavor!
    • Whole milk – Gives the queso the perfect dip or drizzle-worthy consistency. Add more or less depending on if your using this as a dip or a drizzling over nachos or chimichangas.

    How to Make Easy Queso

    1. Saute the Onion: Heat olive oil over medium high heat in a large skillet. Add in onion and saute for 3-4 minutes or until they are softened and start to develop some color.
    2. Cook the Garlic: Add in the garlic and cook for an additional minute.
    3. Sprinkle in Seasonings: Allow the spices to bloom for about 1 minute, stirring frequently. Add in tomatoes with green chilies and cheese.
    1. Add the Milk: Stir until melted then add in the milk. If you want the queso thinner add in additional milk.
    2. Serve with chips and veggies and enjoy!
    A spoon holding queso over the saucepan.

    Serving Suggestions

    This easy queso is a creamy, crowd-pleasing dip that’s perfect for parties, game days, or casual weeknights! Serve it with Homemade Tortilla Chips for a classic combo that never disappoints, or pair it with fresh veggies like bell pepper strips, cucumbers, or baby carrots for a healthier option. Want to level things up? Drizzle the queso over Air Fryer Chimichangas, Chicken Enchiladas, or Chicken Burrito Bowls for a cheesy, flavorful meal!

    For a fun twist, use it as a dip for Homemade Pretzel Bites or pour it over Homemade French Fries for cheesy treats everyone will love!

    Queso topped with cilantro in a white bowl next to chips.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I use a different type of cheese?

    Yes! While American cheese melts the best and reminds me the most of restaurant style queso you can also use Velveeta or a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack. Just know that non-processed cheeses may result in a slightly grainier texture.

    Is this queso spicy?

    It has a mild kick from the green chilies, but it’s not overly spicy. If you want more heat, add chopped jalapeños, hot sauce, or a pinch of cayenne.

    How do I keep the queso warm for a party?

    I recommend using a small slow cooker or fondue pot to keep the queso nice and melty for dipping. You could also make your own double boiler by placing a saucepan with hot water below the bowl of queso.

    A hand dipping a chip into the bowl of queso.
    Recipe

    Easy Queso Recipe

    This Easy Homemade Queso comes together fast and it tastes way better than anything store-bought. Made with melty American cheese, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and a few pantry spices, it's creamy, flavorful, and perfect for dipping chips into or drizzling over nachos.
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Serves 8 servings

    Email this Recipe

    Enter your email to get it straight in your inbox! Plus, receive new recipes weekly!

      Ingredients 

      Instructions

      • Heat olive oil over medium high heat in a large skillet. Add in onion and saute for 3-4 minutes or until they are softened and start to develop some color.
        Add in the garlic and cook for an additional minute.
      • Sprinkle in seasonings. Allow the spices to bloom for about 1 minute, stirring frequently.
        Add in tomatoes with green chilies and cheese.
      • Stir until melted then add in the milk. If you want the queso thinner add in additional milk.
      • Serve with chips and veggies and enjoy!

      Nutrition Information

      Calories: 162kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 7gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 593mgPotassium: 145mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 405IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 392mgIron: 1mg

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