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 crispy baked chicken tacos!

Queso topped with cilantro in a saucepan.

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.
Sauted onion and seasonings in a frying pan.
Diced tomatoes added to the frying pan.
  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.

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    A white bowl of creamy queso, made using an easy queso recipe and topped with chopped cilantro, is surrounded by tortilla chips on a white plate.
    Recipe

    Easy Queso Recipe

    5 from 1 vote
    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.
    Author: Kelley Simmons
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Serves 8 servings
    Rate Print

    Ingredients 

    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • 1/2 cup onion, diced
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 2 cups American cheese
    • 10 ounce can diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
    • 1/4 tsp chili powder
    • 1/4 tsp cumin
    • 1/4 tsp dried oregano
    • 1/4 cup whole milk

    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.
      Chopped onions sautéing in a white pot, topped with a pile of brown and black spices, create the perfect flavorful base for this easy queso recipe—ready to be mixed together.
    • Sprinkle in seasonings. Allow the spices to bloom for about 1 minute, stirring frequently.
      Add in tomatoes with green chilies and cheese.
      A pot filled with chopped tomatoes, onions, and peppers being stirred with a gold spoon—these ingredients form the savory base for an easy queso recipe. The mixture appears to be sautéed or cooked, with visible seasonings and a slightly oily texture.
    • Stir until melted then add in the milk. If you want the queso thinner add in additional milk.
      A spoon lifts creamy, orange queso dip with visible tomato and pepper chunks from a white pot, showcasing this easy queso recipe in all its melty, irresistible glory.
    • Serve with chips and veggies and enjoy!
      A white bowl of creamy queso, made using an easy queso recipe and topped with chopped cilantro, is surrounded by tortilla chips on a white plate.

    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
    A white bowl of creamy queso, made using an easy queso recipe and topped with chopped cilantro, is surrounded by tortilla chips on a white plate.

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