Real Cheese Queso Dip (two ways!)

Real Cheese Queso Dip – A creamy and supremely cheesy Queso Dip made with real cheddar cheese. Serve with tortilla chips for dipping OR make homemade Queso Mac and Cheese! 

This Real Cheese Queso Dip was created as part of a shop that has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are my own. 

Fellow cheese lovers, gather ’round. I’m bringing you the creamiest, cheesiest, party food/game day food/snack food ever. AND, just in case you don’t think tortilla chips dipped in melted cheese is meal worthy, I’m also bringing you a recipe for Queso Dip Macaroni and Cheese. We’re turning dip into dinner. Let’s do this.

As I’ve mentioned before, my favorite part of game day is the food. I love having any reason to enjoy copious amounts of chips and dip. And when that dip that just happens to be bubbly, warm, and cheesy? That is a dip after my own heart. Game day eating just got amazing.

Queso made with REAL Cheese

I’m so excited about this queso because it is made with real cheese and free from the preservatives and questionable ingredients that you see in most cheese sauces. This is a super creamy cheese sauce with loads of cheddar, a touch of cream cheese, and a generous amount of Pace® Picante Sauce for genuine southwest flavor.

You can serve this queso alongside a big bowl of tortilla chips for dipping, or you can take the queso and stir it into elbow macaroni for a bold homemade macaroni and cheese. If you like food with a little kick you’ll love the addition of Pace® Picante in this queso. You can choose between mild, medium, and hot Pace® Picante sauce. There’s bound to be a version that your game day crowd will love. Whether you make this as a snack or a meal the flavor will not disappoint.

If you decide to go the mac and cheese route, please grab some tortilla chips too. I was halfway through my first bowl of macaroni and cheese when I had the brilliant idea to crush some tortilla chips and sprinkle them on top. Friend, it was like the stars aligned: Creamy pasta, spicy cheese sauce, and crunchy salted chips. Gah! How have I never done this before?!

Gather your people, turn on the big game, and dive into some queso.

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5 from 4 votes

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Real Cheese Queso Dip

A creamy and supremely cheesy queso dip made with real cheddar cheese and a flavorful kick from Pace Picante Sauce. Serve with tortilla chips and all your favorite fixings. Ready in 20 minutes!

Course Appetizer, side

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Servings 3 cups of cheese sauce

Calories 239 kcal

Author Allison - Celebrating Sweets

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 2 1/2 cups whole milk plus more if needed, slightly warm
• 2 ounces cream cheese
• 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup Pace® Picante
• Tortilla chips for serving
• Optional garnishes: avocado, cilantro, sour cream, jalapenos, chopped tomatoes

Instructions

1. In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Add the flour and whisk until combined. Slowly add the milk, whisking as you pour. Whisk until the mixture starts to simmer and thicken (several minutes). Reduce heat to low and add 1/2 cup cheese at a time, stirring until each 1/2 cup is melted before adding the next. Continue until all cheese is added. Stir in Pace Picante and add salt and pepper to taste.
2. Serve immediately (see note) with tortilla chips for dipping.

Recipe Notes

Because this queso is made with real cheese it will thicken as it cools. You have to keep it warm in order for it to stay creamy. Keep it over a low burner on your stovetop or place it into a warm slow cooker set on the lowest setting. Periodically stir it and add more milk if it begins to thicken.

Nutrition Facts

Real Cheese Queso Dip

Amount Per Serving

Calories 239 Calories from Fat 162

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 18g 28%

Saturated Fat 11g 55%

Cholesterol 57mg 19%

Sodium 424mg 18%

Potassium 172mg 5%

Total Carbohydrates 6g 2%

Sugars 3g

Protein 11g 22%

Vitamin A 14.3%

Vitamin C 0.5%

Calcium 34.1%

Iron 2.8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

5 from 4 votes

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Queso Macaroni and Cheese

Comforting macaroni and cheese made with a creamy homemade queso dip. Loaded with real cheddar cheese and a flavorful kick from Pace Picante Sauce, this hearty meal comes together in under 30 minutes!

Course main, side

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 6

Calories 760 kcal

Author Allison - Celebrating Sweets

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 2 1/2 cups whole milk plus more if needed, slightly warm
• 2 ounces cream cheese
• 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup Pace® Picante
• 1 pound elbow macaroni
• Optional garnishes: avocado, cilantro, sour cream, jalapenos, chopped tomatoes, tortilla chips

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the pasta.
2. While the pasta is cooking: In a separate large saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Add the flour and whisk until combined. Slowly add the milk, whisking as you pour. Whisk until the mixture starts to simmer and thicken (several minutes). Reduce heat to low and add 1/2 cup cheese at a time, stirring until each 1/2 cup is melted before adding the next. Continue until all cheese is added. Stir in Pace Picante and add salt and pepper to taste.
3. Before draining the pasta scoop out 1 cup of the pasta cooking water and set it aside.
4. Drain the pasta and add it to the cheese sauce, stir until well combined. Use the reserved pasta water to thin the cheese sauce as needed. Serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

Because this queso is made with real cheese it will thicken as it cools. You have to keep it warm in order for it to stay creamy. Add pasta water or milk to keep it creamy or to reheat leftovers.

Nutrition Facts

Queso Macaroni and Cheese

Amount Per Serving

Calories 760 Calories from Fat 342

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 38g 58%

Saturated Fat 23g 115%

Cholesterol 114mg 38%

Sodium 852mg 36%

Potassium 513mg 15%

Total Carbohydrates 69g 23%

Dietary Fiber 3g 12%

Sugars 9g

Protein 33g 66%

Vitamin A 28.6%

Vitamin C 1%

Calcium 69.8%

Iron 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.