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    Home » Recipe Index » Appetizers » 10 Minute Queso Dip

    10 Minute Queso Dip

    October 28, 2019 Updated March 8, 2021 By Rebecca Appetizers, Easy Recipes, Entrees, Recipe Index

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    easy queso dip on a plate with salsa on top and chips and celery on the side
    easy queso dip on a platter with chips and celery with text overlay

    Need quick game day appetizer or a versatile cheese sauce? This easy queso dip recipe is so much better than store-bought, and almost as easy as buying from the store! It'll take just 10 minutes to make, and has simple and delicious ingredients like cheddar cheese, milk, butter, whole wheat flour, and a pinch of salt. That's it!

    easy queso dip with sliced jalapenos on top with chips and celery on a plate

    [This recipe was originally posted in December 2018. It has been updated with new cooking instructions, expert tips, FAQ]

    PIN HERE to add to your recipe box. 

    How will this easy queso dip make your life easier?

    If you're going to a football watch party, and you're asked to bring something. You can bring cheddar jalapeno dip, or Asian BBQ chicken wings. You equally want to bring something delicious and something that you pick up at the store…. you bring this easy queso dip. It takes 10 minutes to prepare and tastes 100x better than store bought queso.

    Plus, if you have any leftovers, or double the recipe, you've got an awesome cheese sauce to turn around the lamest burrito bowl ever, make into the ultimate mac & cheese, or dip pretzels into.

    What makes this queso so good?

    • Butter
    • Whole wheat flour
    • Milk
    • Salt
    • Shredded cheddar cheese

    How do I make this queso dip?

    stirring butter and flour in a pot

    Place small pot over medium-low heat. Once it's hot, add 2T butter, 2 T whole wheat flour, and ½-1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional). Whisk together until it becomes a paste, about 1-2 minutes.

    Expert Tip: Swap the whole wheat flour for white flour if that's all you have

    Expert Tip #2: Make sure to stir continually (and don't leave it!) so paste doesn't get clumpy or burned.

    pouring milk into flour and butter

    Whisk in 1c milk. Whisk until smooth and slightly thickened, about 1 minute, add ¼ teaspoon salt. Remove from heat once smooth.

    Expert Tip: You'll be ready to remove the this mixture from the burner once it's all smooth, incorporated, and medium bubbles are forming (about ½ inch in diameter)

    stirring cheese into queso dip

    Add 2 c cheddar cheese and continue to whisk until cheese is well combined and smooth. Cheese will melt while whisking all ingredients together.

    stirring queso dip in a pot

    Pour queso into bowl, then top with salsa or sliced jalapenos if desired, and serve with chips and veggies.

    Expert tips

    • Swap the whole wheat flour for white flour if that's all you have
    • Make sure to stir continually (and don't leave it!) so paste doesn't get clumpy or burned
    • You'll be ready to remove the roux + milk mixture from the burner once it's all smooth, incorporated, and medium bubbles are forming (about ½ inch in diameter)
    • Level up your queso dip with sliced jalapenos or salsa. Serve with chips &/or vegetables

    FAQ

    What is queso dip made of?

    Queso dips are made of cheese (a white cheese like white American, monterey jack, pepper jack, or cheddar cheese), milk, and a roux (flour + butter).

    What do I dip into this queso cheese?

    Whatever you like with cheese! Personally, I love dipping tortilla chips and celery into queso. But it's great with potato chips, cauliflower, tortillas, and so many other foods. Always top with fresh salsa or jalapenos to add a punch of freshness and flavor.

    Can you save queso?

    Queso dip usually lasts 3-4 days in the fridge. I recommend doing the sniff test, even if it's more than 3-4 days and it still smells good, it'll be safe to eat. Foods will usually smell bad BEFORE they're unsafe to eat. I'd recommend using leftover queso to improve the lamest burrito bowl ever, or add it to the ultimate mac & cheese, or you can dip pretzels into it.

    queso dip on a plate with salsa on top and chips and celery on the side

    Ways to repurpose this queso dip

    • Burrito bowl
    • Make it into mac & cheese, like this one
    • Dip a quesadilla into this queso

    Check out these other easy game day recipes

    • Game day jalapeno cheddar dip
    • Pear & prosciutto flatbread pizza
    • 3 ingredient guacamole

    Did you make this queso dip recipe? leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!

    easy queso dip on a plate with salsa on top and chips and celery on the side
    Print Pin
    5 from 4 votes

    Easy Queso Dip

    Need quick game day appetizer? This easy queso dip is so much better than store-bought, and almost as easy as buying from the store! 
    Course Appetizer, Dip
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 5 minutes
    Total Time 10 minutes
    Servings 1 cup
    Author Rebecca

    Equipment

    • Measuring Spoons
    • Measuring Cups
    • Small Cooking Pot
    • whisk

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour
    • 1 cup milk
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
    • salsa optional
    • sliced jalapenos optional
    • ½-1 teaspoon smoked paprika optional

    Instructions

    • Place small pot over medium-low heat. Once hot, add 2T butter, 2T whole wheat flour, and optional ½-1 teaspoon smoked paprika. Whisk together until it becomes a paste, about 1-2 minutes
    • Whisk in 1 c milk. Whisk until smooth and thickened, about 1 minute, add salt. Remove from heat once incorporated.
    • Add 2 c cheese, and continue to whisk until well combined, and smooth. About 2-3 minutes. Pour into bowl, top with salsa or sliced jalapenos, and serve with chips and veggies.

    Video

    Easy Queso Dip

    Notes

    • Swap the whole wheat flour for white flour if that's all you have
    • Make sure to stir continually (and don't leave it!) so paste doesn't get clumpy or burned
    • You'll be ready to remove the roux from the burner once it's all smooth, incorporated, and medium bubbles are forming (about ½ inch in diameter)
    • Level up your queso dip with sliced jalapenos or salsa. Serve with chips &/or vegetables

    Want to get more single serving recipes delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Single Serving Cookbook.

    « Easy Pumpkin Cake Recipe
    Pomegranate Mocktail with Lime »

    About Rebecca

    Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian. On Nourish Nutrition, you’ll find real, quick, and nourishing recipes for one that'll get you to want to cook for yourself, because you deserve it.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Caroline says

      December 11, 2018 at 8:35 am

      I've not made queso either, but it looks so easy and I can see it being all too addictive to dip when you are hungry or as you say pour over some veg for an easy snack or meal.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        December 11, 2018 at 2:16 pm

        ya it's surprisingly easy! try it out 🙂

        Reply
    2. Tayler Ross says

      December 11, 2018 at 8:43 am

      5 stars
      You had me at cheeeese!! I am saving this recipe for football this Sunday!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        December 11, 2018 at 2:16 pm

        right?! can't go wrong with cheese! and LMK how it turns out

        Reply
    3. Elaine Benoit says

      December 11, 2018 at 8:59 am

      5 stars
      I love queso dips! This looks perfect! It's delicious and easy and I can't wait to try it! Hmm. Perhaps as an appetizer at my NYE party!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        December 11, 2018 at 2:15 pm

        yaaaa! it's good any time!

        Reply
    4. Traci says

      December 11, 2018 at 9:14 am

      5 stars
      Oh yeah! Nothing like a warm queso dip to soothe the soul on a winter day. I love it that this is completely from scratch too! Great recipe!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        December 11, 2018 at 2:15 pm

        right?! its so warm & comforting AND soo easy from scratch!

        Reply
    5. Tawnie Kroll says

      December 11, 2018 at 9:30 am

      5 stars
      This is going to be a perfect appetizer for my holiday party coming up!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        December 11, 2018 at 2:14 pm

        yay! great to hear! LMK how it turns out

        Reply

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    Rebecca, MS, RDN
    of Nourish Nutrition

    At Nourish Nutrition, you'll find bold, flavorful recipes for one. Most are single serving, and all have suggestions to use up the leftover ingredients so you can stop throwing away unused ingredients & leftovers!

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