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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers

    BEST EVER White Queso Dip

    Updated: Sep 5, 2025 by Kristin Hayes · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

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    This white Queso recipe is a creamy, flavorful snack or appetizer that will be the hit of any crowd! Forget using Velveeta, this from scratch version is restaurant quality!

    I don’t know about you, but there is nothing better than enjoying Queso and chips as you wait for your Mexican food, right?! Quite addicting and typically by the time my meal comes, I have one full stomach of chips and dip, haha!

    Over the years though, my biggest problem is I hadn’t been able to recreate restaurant quality Queso at home! I tried so many different varieties but they called for Velveeta (which is good, but not the same, I am sure you agree, right?). Other types called for shredded cheese and I made the mistake of using bagged cheese and it was grainy. Or, after a few minutes of melting and sitting on the counter….it became clumpy and grease like. So many issues, trials, and frustrations….until THIS version!!

    My hubby scanned through Google, Pinterest, and recipe books to come up with ideas to improve our epic fails. We improved the quality of cheese we bought, some of the seasonings, and how we heated the cheese. After one bite of this, all five of us (kids included), knew it was a success. My hubby has now officially been deemed the Queso maker in our house, haha. I make the tacos, enchiladas, or whatever meal is planned, while he whips this up as our appetizer.

    Best part, you can refrigerate this in an airtight container and reheat in the microwave the next day. Leftovers are still enjoyable and the cheese doesn’t clump!

    If you too are a Queso fan, this is a must try. Creamy, white Queso, with just a bit of kick (if desired), and a ton of flavor!

    Enjoy!

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    BEST EVER White Queso Dip

    Recipe by: Kristin Hayes
    This white Queso recipe is a creamy, flavorful snack or appetizer that will be the hit of any crowd! Forget using Velveeta, this from scratch version is restaurant quality!
    3.84 from 6 votes
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    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
    Cuisine Tex-Mex
    Servings 8
    Calories 252 kcal

    Equipment

    • Sauce Pan

    Ingredients
      

    • ¾ lb white American cheese, chopped into small squares *I buy from behind the deli counter
    • 4 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
    • 1 ¼ cup half and half
    • 2 tablespoon canned jalapenos
    • 1 teaspoon chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • Garnish: chopped cilantro, tomatoes, jalapenos

    Instructions
     

    • Heat half and half over medium heat in small saucepan. *I use a small cast iron pan and it works GREAT!
    • Reduce heat to low once simmering, not quite boiling.
    • Stir in the cheeses starting with the white American first. Increase heat to medium and continuously whisk cheeses until completely melted.  
    • Once all the cheese is melted, add in the jalapenos, chili powder, red pepper, salt, and pepper.
    • Top with garnishes of choice and serve with tortilla chips!

    Notes

    *Do not skimp on cheese quality. I get mine from behind the deli counter!
    **Recipe adapted from: The Cookie Rookie (https://www.thecookierookie.com/easy-restaurant-style-white-queso/)

    Nutrition

    Calories: 252kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 12gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 67mgSodium: 945mgPotassium: 132mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 823IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 559mgIron: 0.5mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @TheCookinChicks or tag #TheCookinChicks!

    Here is the cast iron skillet we use, https://amzn.to/2KOCy5V

     

     

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    Comments

    1. Becky says

      December 28, 2018 at 6:37 am

      Will this “keep” in a crockpot on low or keep warm? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Kristin says

        December 29, 2018 at 7:49 am

        Absolutely! Enjoy!

        Reply
    3.84 from 6 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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    Welcome to The Cookin’ Chicks! I’m Kristin- mom of 3, wife, and food lover-sharing easy dinners, quick desserts, and family-friendly recipes that make mealtime simple, fun, and delicious. Around here, it’s all about family, faith, and food that brings everyone to the table!

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