Real Cheese Queso Dip – A creamy and supremely cheesy Queso Dip made with real cheddar cheese and a flavorful kick from Pace® Picante. Serve with tortilla chips for dipping OR make homemade Queso Mac and Cheese!
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.
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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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.
Real Cheese Queso Dip
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
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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.
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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.
Queso Macaroni and Cheese
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
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the pasta.
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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.
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Before draining the pasta scoop out 1 cup of the pasta cooking water and set it aside.
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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.
Cheese is SO my weakness and dip oh this post makes hungry and happy all at once! YUM Thanks for sharing I’ll have to try that recipe out.
There is nothing like a good queso dip, especially on game day! This looks perfect!
Oh wow, this sounds amazing! I’m ready to just fast-forward to Saturday for game day so that I can have a bowl of that queso mac and cheese! Perfect game day food right there! #client
I am all about the chips and dip as a meal, but that mac and cheese is just brilliant!! making this weekend for sure
This looks amazing! I can’t wait to make this recipe for my family and friends on game day.
I must say to do love me some cheese. I believe I have something with cheese everyday. This looks delicious.
This looks so good. I’m craving it now.
I’m so glad you said “real cheese”! I’ve never been a fan of anything made with that orange block of petroleum! I would totally make this for my cheese addict husband for game day!
I love the idea of mixing the queso with mac n cheese!
That mac & cheese looks delicious! I might have to make some for football this Sunday!! Thanks for the recipe!
Okay, I’m drooling! Queso is one of my guilty pleasures. I just can’t say not to it! lol! Pinning this right now. Thanks for sharing!
Wow this looks SO good. Pinned it to consume later!
Would it be wrong if I ate a bowl of this queso by myself?
I love a multi-purpose dip, looks delicious
Over The Top!
A double dipper recipe! I love, love, love cheese. I can’t have it all the time, but I’ll tell ya, the next time I do…it’s gonna be this recipe! Yum, yum and yum!
I do love a cheese dip – and genius idea to use the dip as a sauce for mac n cheese. I like hard working recipes that will double up!
What a glorious dip!
The REAL CHEESE is what got me to click!! YES!! I’m all about REAL cheese! It tastes so much better than the fake stuff! Why anyone would go that route is beyond me! LOVE this recipe!
Simple, easy and funlicious! Thanks for another game day treat.