Quick Queso Dip ~ A quick and easy, crowd pleasing option that’s naturally gluten free with no processed cheese can easily be made on-hand pantry staples.
This post has been updated from its original 9/8/2014 publishing with a new video, recipe clarification, grammar, and a new photo.
Sometimes when I am asked to bring a dish to a gathering, I don’t always want to bring something healthy.
I want to make something decadent, rich, creamy and/or cheesy.
This quick queso dip fits the bill.
I was asked to bring a dish to share to book club. There are two people in the group who are unable to eat anything with gluten, so I knew I had to stay gluten free, which comes pretty natural to me in my cooking. There was a diabetic in the group and me, the gastric bypass.
Everyone else was fair game for this over the top dip.
How to make Quick Queso Dip
This dip is really easy to make, which is nice when you want to make something in a hurry. In the past, I would have made this with the processed yellow stuff, but I wanted to punch up the “health” a bit in this (I use that word VERY loosely).
I opted to use cream cheese (see why I said I was using the H word loosely?) All in one pot, and cooks up in about 15 minutes, this is a perfect dip to serve to your next gathering or your hungry game day crowd.
Note: I just wrote the recipe with 2 cups of cheese which is about 12 oz grated.
I have made this quick queso dip so many times that I just use whatever cheeses I have on hand. For this particular post, I used ½ cup of Cabot’s extra sharp white cheddar, ½ cup medium cheddar, and ½ cup Monterrey jack. You can use cheddar, Monterrey jack, Colby jack, white cheddar, pepper jack or any blend.
Can I make queso dip in the slow cooker
Slow cooker you ask?
Yes!
This recipe can easily be adapted for the slow cooker by adding all ingredients to the crock. Increase the milk to the full 1/2 cup. It will obviously be thick and not able to be smooth out, but give it the best stir possible. Set it to low, and give it a cook for about 2 hours. Stir really well before serving. Additional milk might be needed, but that’s up to you and the desired consistency.
You can also make it quickly in the pan, but transfer it to your slow cooker to keep it warmed and gooey for entertaining, as it does thicken as it cools.
Quick Queso Dip
A quick and easy, crowd pleasing option that's naturally gluten free with no processed cheese can easily be made on-hand pantry staples.
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese; softened
- 15 oz can chili con carne
- 10 oz can diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 3 tbsp diced green chiles
- 12 oz cheese; grated
- 2 tbsp milk (up to 1/2 cup); to desired thickness
Instructions
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In a large skillet on low heat, begin to melt the cream cheese. It will melt faster at room temperature.
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Once the cream cheese has begun to melt, add the chili con carne.
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Stir frequently to help the cream cheese to melt. Increase the heat to medium.
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Once the cream cheese has melted into the chili con carne, add the diced tomatoes with chilies and green chilies. Mix well.
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By the handful, add the cheese. Stirring constantly and continue to incorporate all of the cheese.
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Bring to a medium simmer, allowing all the ingredients to meld.
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Add the milk if needed, starting with a couple of tablespoons at a time until it has reached the desired consistency.
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The thicker the dip, the stronger the chip needed.
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Keep warm, serve and enjoy.
Party And Game Day Foods
Hosting a gathering? Here are several recipes to use at your next party.
- Savory Pumpkin Hummus
- Black Bean Dip
- Red Pepper Cheddar Green Olive Dip
- French Onion Steak Bites
- No Fuss Bean Dip
Party Drinks
- Whiskey Sour
- Bourbon Grape Rickey
- Cherry Orange Sangria
- Frozen Pineapple Margarita
- Blackberry Sparkle
17 Comments
Sandi
September 8, 2014 at 10:34 amLove, love, love queso! This is perfect for game day appetizers.
Michelle
September 9, 2014 at 2:35 pmI am a fan of the queso too, Sandi. Hope it’s a hit at your next game day gathering.
janelle
September 8, 2014 at 10:50 amI would definitely serve this at a party, love that it’s quick.
Michelle
September 9, 2014 at 2:36 pmThanks Janelle, hope you all enjoy it at your next party.
Kelly
September 8, 2014 at 1:12 pmMmmmm, queso. Is there anything better? Love this!
Michelle
September 9, 2014 at 2:36 pmKelly, chocolate is the only thing that comes to mind when being better than queso. 😉
Sandra Shaffer
September 8, 2014 at 1:18 pmDefinitely a crowd pleaser! Perfect noshing appetizer!
Michelle
September 9, 2014 at 2:37 pmSandra, it is hard to stop eating once you start.
Betsy @ Desserts Required
November 16, 2014 at 8:50 amSave some for me! Ok, skip that…I am not that patient. I am going to make my very own batch!! YUM!!
Michelle
November 16, 2014 at 10:06 am🙂 Thank you Betsy! Hope you enjoy it. I ate toooo much of it!
Lisa
January 22, 2015 at 10:30 amThis would be a great Super Bowl dish! Love that it doesn’t have a lot of ingredients and quick and easy!
Michelle
January 22, 2015 at 12:16 pmLisa, yes, we need fast for the Super Bowl, can’t miss a commercial.
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Jeff the Chef
January 3, 2019 at 3:39 pmMy take on healthy is mainly to eat non-processed food in as much as possible, a variety of things, and to avoid eating large amounts just for pleasure. And then balance that with exercise. So, I have no problem with cheese or a cheese dip. I just have to hold back on eating the whole bowl – which clearly looks like it’d be tempting in this instance!
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Jeff the Chef
February 20, 2019 at 8:37 amIt still looks tempting!
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