How to Make Queso Dip with Real Cheese

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Football season is upon us! And that means appetizers and parties. I love a good queso dip, but the fake cheese? Not so much. Fortunately, it is possible to make queso dip with real cheese!

This recipe for queso dip is made with REAL cheese, meat, and delicious chilis. It's the perfect dip for game day or for a fun weekend get together!

Did you even know you could? I didn’t.  So I was THRILLED a while back when I read about cheese dip with real cheese. I never thought it was possible until I read over at Sweet Hersey Kisses that Cara made a cheese sauce without velveeta. Oh boy!

The ingredients for this simple queso dip are green chilis, evaporated milk, shredded cheese, and ground beef. It's easy to make and totally delicious!

All you need for this delicious recipe is some evaporated milk, cheese of your choice,  Arrow Root Powder , canned tomatoes (rotel style), and ground beef if you want! If you don’t want to use Arrow Root Powder, corn starch also works. I also recommend grass-fed, locally produced beef. We get ours from an Amish Farmer and I love that he feeds his cows organic feed. Although the beef I buy isn’t certified organic, I know the farmer and I’m comfortable with my choice. I hope you’re lucky enough to have a great local option as well!

Adding Del Monte green chiles to this simple queso dip gives it just the right amount of spice and a delicious flavor! How to Make Queso Dip with Real Cheese

The kids love this queso dip! You can make it ahead of time in a crock pot and it's perfect for a leftover snack!

Making the queso dip is very easy! Just mix cheese and arrow root powder, and melt it with the evaporated milk in a saucepan over medium heat. While it’s melting, you need to whisk, whisk, whisk. Keep whisking until it’s bubbly and thick. I promise, all the whisking is worth it! Once the cheese has turned into a delightful sauce, add the tomatoes and browned beef. Heat through and serve with your favorite chips!Queso Dip made with REAL CHEESE. You know you want some. Move over Velveeta…you have just been eliminated. 😉

Queso Dip with Real Cheese

Queso Dip with Real Cheese

A delicious cheese dip made with real cheese instead of velveeta!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 8 oz shredded {real} cheese - use whatever kind you want. I used a combo of sharp white cheddar & Gouda
  • 1 can evaporated milk
  • 1 TBS arrow root powder {or corn starch}
  • 1 can Del Monte Petite Cut Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilis
  • 1 pound cooked ground beef, grease drained

Instructions

  1. Mix the corn starch with the shredded cheese.
  2. In a medium saucepan, melt the cheese and evaporated milk over medium heat, stirring constantly.
  3. Stir until you reach the desired consistency {up to 10 minutes!}
  4. Add tomatoes and ground beef and cook just until heated through {1-2 minutes}.
  5. Enjoy with your favorite chips!

Nutrition Information:

Serving Size:

4-6

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 8Carbohydrates: 2g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram tagging @simplifylivelove! I love to see your photos!

Have you made queso with real cheese before? I’d love to hear your experience. 🙂

If you liked this post, you’ll like these appetizer recipes too:

Make Ahead Appetizer Recipe – Baked Taco Empanadas

Spicy Jalapeno Popper Cheese Dip with Real Cheese

Instant Pot Quick & Easy Taco Dip with Meat & Beans

Creamy Strawberry & Chocolate Fruit Dip & Fruit Tray

About Michelle Marine

Michelle Marine is the author of How to Raise Chickens for Meat, a long-time green-living enthusiast, and rural Iowa mom of four. She empowers families to grow and eat seasonal, local foods; to reduce their ecological footprint; and to come together through impactful travel.

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122 Comments

  1. Well, I would totally make this recipe!! I love it, and I always make the “Velveeta” version but it makes me nervous!

  2. Del Monte Petite Cut Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilis for my seven layer dip
    Thank you for hosting this giveaway

    Louis
    pumuckler {at} gmail {dot} com

  3. Last year a friend of mine made us some queso with velveeta. It was SO good and definitely took me back to my childhood. However, I do hate using velveeta. So thank you for providing a recipe that uses real cheese! It looks fabulous and just in time for Super Sunday!

  4. I would go for the Del Monte Petite Cut Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies (I didn’t even know that they packaged this) and make chili with it – though your recipe looks mighty good too.

  5. I make a chili con queso that uses chilis and tomatoes, would love to use the combo of the Del Monte Petite Cut Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilis!

  6. I would get the Del Monte Petite Cut Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies and make rotel dip using ground pork sausage and velveta thanks

  7. I’d be excited to try the tomatoes with the chipotle chilies because I have never had them! I’d most likely make a cheesy dip too!

  8. I would/will use the Petite Cut Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilis al lot. Would be great in soups and sauces. Love anything with a little kick

  9. I had already decided to make the Football Queso dip you posted here as soon as I read it! Using the Green Chiles variety, of course. Sounds amazing…I’d better get started. 🙂

    Thanks!
    h4schaffer at gmail dot com

  10. I would most like to use the Del Monte Petite Cut Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilis. I would use them to make Southwestern Chicken Rollups for lunch.

  11. I would like to make the Del Monte Petite Cut Diced Tomatoes with Chipotle Chilies!
    Thank You for the giveaway

    1. Nope – you can use whatever combo of cheese you want. I used white cheddar and gouda. Here, but I’ve also made it with just cheddar! Enjoy!

  12. That dip looks fantastic. I’ve always used a little bit of processed cheese for dips and sauces since it melts so nicely, but I’ll have to try this recipe. It’s nice to know you don’t need it.

  13. Ooh that looks amazing!.. I love the brand Del Monte by the way. I always get sliced pineapple from them. So yum..

  14. I am so excited to make this! We always use Velveeta (plastic cheese…lol). It tastes yummy but I’m with you….I do not feel good/safe eating it.

  15. I always love football queso, and this recipe is the best. The first time I tried it, I tried putting actual footballs into a food processor, but it damaged the blade, so I had to buy a new one. Not suggested. LOL! The next time I made it, I tried using pork rinds instead for that pig-skin flavor and it was much better!

  16. Not that anyone will see this before my dinner party tonight 🙂 — but did you drain the tomatoes+chili can? Thanks!

    1. Oh sorry I missed your question and I hope your dinner party turned out well. No, I didn’t drain the tomatoes. Just open and dump. 🙂 Michelle