Easy Queso Dip (One Pot)

Quick and easy queso dip recipe, homemade with simple ingredients in one pot over stovetop in 20 minutes. Silky smooth, rich, creamy, loaded with cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese and Mexican spices.

This is perfect for your next game day party or family gathering. It's just as satisfying as this Easy Guacamole Recipe (One Bowl) or this  Salsa Verde (Blender). In case you don't know, this is a creamy delicious Mexican cheese dip. Queso means "cheese" in Spanish.

Jump to:

• Key ingredients
• Variations
• How to make easy one pot Mexican queso dip recipe from scratch?
• What to serve with this dip?
• Tips and techniques
• Recipe FAQs
• Storage
• More one pot appetizers
• Recipe

Key ingredients

• Butter- I like to use unsalted to prevent this dish from becoming too salty.
• Cheese- Use a combination of pepper jack and cheddar.
• Milk- Both, evaporated milk and whole milk are used.
• Spices- You can use whatever you like but I prefer to use the classics which include cumin powder, garlic powder, onion powder and salt.
• Tomatoes- Make sure to use ripe ones for best flavor.
• Onions- These should be finely chopped to blend well with the other ingredients.
• Cilantro- Use fresh and only mix it in at the very end.
• Green chiles- I like to use the canned ones for convenience. Be sure to drain them.
• Cornstarch- This will help to thicken the mixture.

Variations

• White queso dip (Queso blanco)- Use white cheddar cheese to make a white version instead of yellow version.
• Queso fresco dip- Use Queso Fresco cheese in addition or in place of cheddar cheese.
• Velveeta version- Melt a block of Velveeta instead of or in addition to the freshly grated cheese.
• Add chili- Add a can of chili to this dip for a heartier version.
• Cheesy beef version- Mix in Mexican Ground Beef Taco Meat (One Pot) at the end.
• Make it in crockpot- All all ingredients in slow cooker and cook on Low heat for 2-3 hours.
• Add beans- Mix in drained and rinsed canned black beans or you can even serve over Refried Beans (One Pot) as a layered dip.
• Add bacon- Top it off with lots of cooked and crumbled bacon bits, prior to serving for a smoky flavor.
• Make it spicy- Add diced fresh jalapenos or Serrano chiles for more spice.
• Garnish options- Fresh cilantro, green onions, finely chopped jalapenos or even Pico de Gallo Salsa.

How to make easy one pot Mexican queso dip recipe from scratch?

1. Saute onion, garlic in butter- Until fragrant.
2. Add tomatoes- Cook for another 2 minutes.
3. Mix in remaining ingredients- This includes milk, cheeses, cornstarch, , spices, green chiles.
4. Thin it out with milk- If necessary.
5. Add cilantro- And mix until combined.

What to serve with this dip?

• Serve it as an appetizer dip or snack with tortilla chips, nachos, or quesadillas such as Cheese Quesadillas and Vegetarian Quesadillas and Ground Beef Quesadilla (One Pan) and even Chicken Quesadilla (One Pan)
• Use it as a dinner/ main course topping in burrito bowls, tamales, burritos, enchiladas, tostadas, nachos and especially tacos such as Shredded Chicken Tacos (One Pot) or Ground Beef Tacos (One Pot). Serve it atop fried, grilled or baked chicken, beef/ steak, fish, pork, shrimp, or even eggs. You can also mix it into boiled pasta to make cheesy pasta or add it on top of Cheesy Taco Pasta (One Pot) or Chicken Fajita Pasta (One Pot).
• Mix it to your favorite salad dressing to make a cheesy version.
• Use it as a spread in sandwiches, wraps and quesadillas. It would be a delicious addition to this Loose Meat Sandwich (Tavern Sandwich).

Tips and techniques

• Use freshly grated cheese- Because shredded cheese in packets contain additives to prevent clumping, which causes them to not melt well. This can also lead to a grainy dip.
• Canned tomatoes vs. Fresh tomatoes- Canned changes the color and makes it slightly red. Must drain, if using it.
• Use a non-stick pot- To prevent the dip from sticking and burning.
• Use unsalted butter- to prevent the dip from becoming too salty.
• What kind of milk to use? I recommend whole or 2% in order to maintain the creamy thickness desired for this dip.
• What kind of onions to use? I used white onions, but you can use yellow, sweet, or vidalia onions.

Recipe FAQs

Storage

• Refrigerate- In a sealed container for up to 3 days.
• Freeze- I don't recommend freezing leftovers since it doesn't thaw well and can sometimes separate.
• Reheat- In the microwave or on the stovetop. You may need to add a splash of milk while stirring during reheating to get the desired consistency.

More one pot appetizers

• Homemade French Onion Dip (One Pot)
• Bacon Ranch Cheddar Dip (One Pot)
• Spinach Artichoke Dip (One Bowl)
• Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe (One Pot)

Recipe