White Queso Dip is smooth, flavorful, made with real cheese and vegetables. It’s a spicy, cheesy dip made with two kinds of cheese, jalapenos, bell peppers, and green onions. No Valveeta here! Just the perfect match for your tortilla chips, crackers, or veggies.
QUESO DIP
Only a few days left ’till the big game and I hope you have all your food essentials. I always make sure we have the wings, chili, and plenty of Queso dip to last us all day.
Personally, I can never get enough of Queso and I definitely don’t wait for the Super Bowl to make it. Cinco de Mayo is another holiday where I make sure to have extra Queso dip and a pitcher of Margaritas. But really, it could be like a Tuesday night when I get a craving some some of this warm, creamy, cheesy, gooey dip.
Doesn’t this dip look like the best overflowing cheesy goodness? You don’t have to make your dip literally overflow from the bowl because it’s figuratively overflowing with flavor.
WHAT IS THE BEST CHEESE FOR QUESO?
My personal favorite combination is Pepper Jack and sharp white cheddar. Pepper Jack provides the spice, the creaminess, and it smooth when melted. Sharp white cheddar has a great flavor for a deeper cheese flavor.
There are a couple more options you can use if you don’t have access to certain cheese or simply want to go another way. Monterrey Jack is a great alternative to Pepper Jack and you can simply add a little extra jalapeno and/or chili peppers.
White American cheese can be a smooth and silky substitute to white cheddar cheese. I use it in my Queso Blanco with Chorizo dip and it’s amazing.
HOW TO MAKE QUESO:
This is a fast recipe so it’s best to prepare all ingredients before you start to cook.
In a bottom-heavy sauce pot, melt butter over medium to medium-low heat and add diced peppers and garlic. Saute until peppers start to soften and sprinkle flour over the top. Stir to coat the peppers with flour and slowly pour in heavy cream while whisking continuously.
Add cheeses to the pot, one handful at a time, while slowly stirring. Continue stirring with the whisk until cheese is all melted and smooth. Season with some salt and cayenne pepper (if using) and take off heat. Serve right away with your favorite tortilla chips.
TIPS FOR THE BEST QUESO DIP:
Use block cheese – block cheese is always best for cheesy sauces, cheese dips, and queso. Pre-shredded cheese is usually coated in cornstarch and separators, which won’t give you as smooth result as if you grate it yourself.
Don’t let it boil – depending on your stove, cook over medium or medium-low heat setting. You don’t want the cheese mixture to boil or scold. The goal it to get it smooth and melted and then take off heat.
Adjust the spice – you can make this dip more or less spicy, just the way you like it. Use older jalapenos for more spice and add a pinch more cayenne pepper. For less spicy queso dip, use Monterrey Jack cheese instead of Pepper Jack, use younger jalapenos, and omit cayenne pepper.
Add some meat – don’t be afraid to add some meat to this dip! Add some sauteed chorizo sausage or taco seasoned beef on top of cooked questo. You can also mix the meat right into the dip.
SOME MORE CHEESY DIP RECIPES:
If you made any of my recipes and shared them on Instagram, make sure to tag me @willcookforsmiles and #willcookforsmiles so I can see all the things you tried!
Connect with Will Cook For Smiles!
Be sure to click below and follow me on my social media, so you never miss a recipe.
Don’t forget to sign up for email, so you won’t miss any new recipes.
Homemade White Queso Dip
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 2 Tbsp all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 8 oz Pepper Jack cheese block
- 4 oz sharp white cheddar cheese block
- 2 jalapenos
- 1/4 cup diced green onion
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 large red bell pepper
- Pinch cayenne adjust the hear to your own preference
- Salt
Instructions
- Grate cheeses on the large grater and set aside. Dice jalapenos and discard the seeds. Smash and mince garlic. Dice bell pepper and green onions and set everything aside. (If you want spicier dip, use older jalapenos. Use younger jalapenos for less spice.)
- Melt butter in a bottom-heavy sauce pot, over medium to medium-low heat.
- Add diced peppers and garlic and saute until peppers start to soften.
- Sprinkle flour over the top and stir to coat the peppers with flour. Slowly pour in heavy whipping cream while whisking continuously.
- Add cheeses to the pot, one handful at a time, while slowly stirring. Continue stirring with the whisk until cheese is all melted and smooth.
- Stir in green onions and season with some salt and cayenne pepper (if using) and take off heat. Serve right away with your favorite tortilla chips.
Video
Nutrition
Originally published on Will Cook For Smiles on January 29, 2015. Updated April 27, 2020.
Sonali- The Foodie Physician says
This looks like ooey gooey cheesy perfection! I love spice, so I’d toss in a little more cayenne and go to town. Enjoy the game!
Liz says
Sounds so good – thank you and have a great weekend.
Sinea Pies says
I love hot dips. This looks like a winner! Pinned it 🙂
Hey, stop by my party this Tuesday night after 7pm ET to share it?
Shilpa says
Will this dip last a few hours warmed in a slow cooker/crockpot? If like to keep it warm while serving at a party.
lyuba says
Hi Shilpa!
I’m so sorry for such a late response. I believe this will be okay in a warm crock pot, set on the warm setting. I hope you enjoy it!
mimi says
Well I have to say that I’ve never had. Nachos with. Shrimp. Brilliant idea! And such pretty pics
Lyuba says
Thank you, Mimi!
diane rockman says
haven’t made it yet but will soon. also liked your tip on having this dip with margarita’s. i love your web site. you have alot of good recipes that i am going to make.
LyubaB says
Thank you, Diane, for the sweet compliment! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Kim says
Lyuba, this dip looks and sounds perfect. I would happily it enjoy it with chips, or maybe all I would need is a spoon. Thanks for all the great tips!
LyubaB says
You are so welcome, Kim! Thank you for the compliment, I hope you enjoy the dip!
CraftingNeice says
Yum Yum Yum…best Queso I’ve ever had! Easy to make too! Now that I’m ordering my cheeses in bulk from Azure Standard I’m always looking for great ways to use my healthy cheeses for meatless meals that hubby will eat. This one was a true winner! I loved your picture so much I’m even going to order some organic blue chips for the dipping!!!
LyubaB says
I am so glad you liked it!
kathy L brown says
left over cheese sauce can it be frozen and reheated? if not how long is the sauce good for in refrigerator.
LyubaB says
I do not recommend freezing this cheese dip. It will break down and separate after freezing and thawing. Microwaving is the easiest way to heat up this dip but make sure to set it on half the power or it will scald the cheese and cause it to break up. You can also reheat it in a saucepot, over medium-low heat. Just make sure when heating up you do it slowly. It will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Claire says
“Hello Lyuba,
I have so much cheese lying around most times that I don’t know what to do with it. Your Queso Dip looks healthy and brings so many ideas to my head. I am a big broccoli fan; do you feel I can include it?
“
LyubaB says
Hi Claire,
Sure you can add broccoli if you like, but I would blanch or sautee them before adding them to the dip.
Steve says
Just made it and it’s AMAZING! I added a little extra Jalapeno and a little extra whipping cream at the end to thin it out just a tad. But overall, what an awesome dish. Thank you!
LyubaB says
So glad you liked it, Steve!