Easy Queso Dip

It just isn’t game day without Easy Queso Dip, a creamy blend of cheeses, sausage and spicy tomatoes. I make it in the Instant Pot to keep things simple, cook and serve all in one pot. This dip goes perfectly with crispy tortilla chips and sliced veggies, or add it to taco salad. It will be the centerpiece of your game day spread!

Easy Queso Dip has always been a favorite, whether we are at our go-to Mexican restaurant or at home watching a game on TV with friends. It’s creamy and cheesy and goes great with a basket of crunchy tortilla chips.

This recipe is so versatile, use a variety of cheeses based on your preferences. And there are plenty of add-ins that ramp up the flavor of the dip, like sliced green onions and chopped fresh tomatoes.

And there are lots of options when serving this cheesy dip. We scoop it up with sliced red and green peppers, salty tortilla chips, and even serve it over taco salad for a easy weeknight meal.

What’s the best cheese to use in Queso Dip?

There’s quite a debate about what cheeses should be used in making Queso Dip. So, I will just come right out and say, we are on team VELVEETA. I mix it with a variety of cheeses to make just the right blend. Here are a few of our favorites.

• VELVEETA– Some will argue that it is not even real cheese. But it is dreamy and melts well and we think it tastes great in this recipe. Cheddar can easily be used instead of Velveeta.
• COLBY JACK– This mild, marbled cheese is a combination of Colby Cheese and Monterey Jack Cheese. It also melts well and adds depth of flavor.
• CHEDDAR– Cheddar cheese is a favorite cheese in Queso Dip and can be used in place of Velveeta. It comes in Mild, Medium and Sharp and really adds a buttery, tangy flavor to the dip. I would recommend using medium or sharp in this recipe.
• GOUDA– A delicious cheese that adds a creamy texture and is soft and melts well. The nutty flavor of this cheese makes it a great choice. This cheese can be used instead of the Colby Jack.
• CREAM CHEESE– The queen of all cheeses, cream cheese is so versatile and the creamiest you will find. I mean, it has the word CREAM in its name! Cream Cheese adds a little bit of sweetness and some tang to the dip, while blending well with other cheeses.

Why Buy Cheese in a Block?

One final word about cheeses used in dips…buy cheese in a BLOCK and shred it yourself. I know it is convenient to purchase cheese that has already been shredded. I use it myself sometimes for adding to the top of a hot dish. But there are anti-caking agents in with the shredded cheese to keep it from clumping together.

So, when I want to make a sauce or a dip and it needs to be creamy and smooth, I buy a block and shred or cube it myself. Shredding it only takes a few seconds and the texture and flavors are so much better. Cheese is also more affordable when purchasing in a block.

Easy Queso Dip Recipe

What’s needed:

• Mild Italian Sausage– Sauteed with chopped onion, it gives the dip a rich flavor and texture.
• Rotel Tomatoes with Hatch Chilis– This is mildly spicy and really adds zesty flavor and freshness to the dip. Hatch green chilis are simply the best.
• Velveeta– This forms the smooth cheesy base to the dip.
• Colby Jack Cheese– Adds great flavor and creaminess.
• Cream Cheese– Provides tangy flavor, melts instantly and blends well with the other cheese.
• Milk– Adding milk helps to thin the dip and keeps it creamy and smooth.

How to make Easy Queso Dip?

• Set Instant Pot (multi-cooker) to ‘Saute/Brown’ setting. Add mild Italian sausage and chopped onion, cook until no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
• Add the tomatoes and chilis (undrained) to the pot. Stir to combine. Add remaining ingredients and allow cheeses to melt, stirring often.
• Set Instant Pot to ‘keep warm’ setting. Serve with raw vegetables, crispy tortilla chips or slices of crunchy bread for dipping. Garnish with green onions and fresh tomatoes, if desired. Recipe makes 12 servings.

For more game day favorites, check out these tasty recipes for the best snacks and appetizers:

• Game Day Snack Mix
• Buckeye Dip
• Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
• Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
• Pigs in a Blanket

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Easy Queso Dip

A blend of creamy cheeses, tomatoes, chilis and sausage, this dip is a great addition to your game-day spread.

Servings: 12 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Ingredients 

• 1 pound Italian sausage, mild
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 10 ounces diced tomatoes with green chilies, Rotel
• 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
• 16 ounces Velveeta, cubed
• 8 ounces Colby Jack, shredded
• 1 cup milk
• sliced green onion and chopped fresh tomato, garnish, optional

Instructions 

• Set Instant Pot (multi-cooker) to ‘Saute/Brown’ setting. Add mild Italian sausage and chopped onion, cook until no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Drain any excess oil.
• Add the tomatoes and chilis (undrained) to the pot. Stir to combine. Add remaining ingredients and allow cheeses to melt, stirring often.
• Set Instant Pot to 'keep warm' setting. Serve with raw vegetables, crispy tortilla chips or slices of crunchy bread for dipping. Garnish with green onions and fresh tomatoes, if desired. Recipe makes 12 servings.
  

Equipment

• 1 Instant Pot (multi-cooker) or a large saucepan

Notes

Don’t have an Instant Pot?

This recipe can be made on the stovetop and transferred to a small slow cooker set to warm. It is important to keep the dip warm and melted while serving. Stir in an additional 1/2 cup milk if Queso Dip gets too thick.

Nutrition

Calories: 374kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 19gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 84mgSodium: 1060mgPotassium: 358mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 874IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 405mgIron: 1mg