Real Cheese Queso Dip You Can Make in 20 Minutes
on Feb 03, 2026
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This real cheese queso dip is creamy, flavorful, and made with simple ingredients you recognize. No Velveeta. No processed blocks. Just real cheese melted the right way for a smooth, scoopable dip you can serve anytime.
This is the queso I make when I want something fast that still tastes homemade. It works for casual get-togethers, movie nights, and last-minute guests.
Table of Contents
- Why This Queso Dip Uses Real Cheese
- Essential Ingredients for Real Cheese Queso
- How to Make Queso Dip with Real Cheese
- Tips for Perfect Queso Dip Every Time
- Variations on This Real Cheese Queso Recipe
- More Game Day Appetizer Recipes You’ll Love
- Frequently Asked Questions About Real Cheese Queso
- Queso Dip with Real Cheese Recipe
Why This Queso Dip Uses Real Cheese
Most queso recipes rely on processed cheese for easy melting. This one doesn’t. Instead, it uses real shredded cheese plus a few smart techniques to keep the texture smooth.
Real cheese brings better flavor. It also lets you control the ingredients. No fillers. No artificial colors. Just cheese, dairy, and seasoning.
The key is low heat and steady stirring.
Essential Ingredients for Real Cheese Queso
What Cheese Works Best for Queso Dip?
The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility. You can use any cheese you prefer! I typically use a combination of:
- Sharp white cheddar for bold flavor
- Gouda for extra creaminess
- Or your favorite melting cheese
The key is using 8 ounces of shredded real cheese—no processed products needed.
The Secret Ingredient: Arrow Root Powder
The magic ingredient that makes real cheese melt smoothly into dip form is arrow root powder (or organic cornstarch as an alternative). This thickening agent helps create that perfect, creamy consistency without any artificial ingredients.
Additional Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 can evaporated milk (creates the creamy base)
- 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel-style)
- 1 pound ground beef (optional but recommended)
Optional Add-Ins
- Jalapeños for heat
- Cumin or chili powder for depth
- Fresh cilantro for topping
Grate your own cheese if possible. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can affect texture.
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How to Make Queso Dip with Real Cheese
- Mix the thickener with cheese: Combine 1 tablespoon arrow root powder (or cornstarch) with your 8 ounces of shredded cheese. This prevents clumping when the cheese melts.
- Create the cheese sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine the cheese mixture with 1 can of evaporated milk over medium heat.
- Whisk continuously: This is the most important step! Keep whisking constantly as the mixture heats. The continuous stirring ensures smooth, creamy queso without lumps.
- Cook until thickened: Continue whisking until the mixture becomes bubbly and reaches your desired consistency. This usually takes up to 10 minutes. Don’t rush this step—all that whisking is worth it!
- Add mix-ins: Once your cheese sauce is perfectly smooth, stir in the can of diced tomatoes with green chilies and your cooked, drained ground beef.
- Heat and serve: Cook for just 1-2 minutes more until everything is heated through, then serve immediately with your favorite tortilla chips!
Tips for Perfect Queso Dip Every Time
How to Get the Smoothest Texture
The key to avoiding grainy or separated queso is constant whisking over medium heat. Don’t crank up the temperature to speed things up—patience creates the creamiest results.
Can You Make Queso Dip Ahead of Time?
This queso is best served fresh, but you can prepare the beef ahead of time. The cheese sauce only takes 10 minutes, so it’s easy to make right before serving.
What to Serve with Real Cheese Queso
While tortilla chips are the classic choice, this versatile dip also pairs well with:
- Fresh vegetable sticks
- Soft pretzel bites
- Warm pita chips
- As a topping for nachos or baked potatoes
Variations on This Real Cheese Queso Recipe
Make It Vegetarian
Simply omit the ground beef! The cheese sauce with tomatoes and chilies is delicious on its own.
Adjust the Heat Level
- For milder queso: Use regular diced tomatoes instead of the variety with green chilies
- For spicier dip: Add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce
More Game Day Appetizer Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed this real cheese queso recipe, check out these other crowd-pleasing appetizers:
- 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
Frequently Asked Questions About Real Cheese Queso
Why use evaporated milk instead of regular milk?
Evaporated milk has a thicker consistency and higher fat content, which creates a creamier, more stable cheese sauce that won’t separate as easily.
Can I use cornstarch instead of arrow root powder?
Absolutely! Cornstarch works just as well. Use the same 1 tablespoon measurement.
How do I reheat leftover queso dip?
Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, whisking frequently. You may need to add a splash of milk to restore the creamy consistency.
Can I make this queso dip in a slow cooker?
Yes! After making the cheese sauce on the stovetop, transfer it to a slow cooker on the “warm” setting to keep it at serving temperature for parties.
Queso Dip with Real Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
- 12 ounces evaporated milk
- 1 TBS arrow root powder, or cornstarch
- 10 ounces diced tomatoes with green chilis
- 1 pound cooked ground beef, grease drained
Instructions
- Mix the thickener with cheese: Combine 1 tablespoon arrow root powder (or cornstarch) with 2 cups shredded cheese. This prevents clumping when the cheese melts.2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, 1 TBS arrow root powder, or cornstarch
- Create the cheese sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine the cheese mixture with 1 can of evaporated milk over medium heat.12 ounces evaporated milk
- Whisk continuously: This is the most important step! Keep whisking constantly as the mixture heats. The continuous stirring ensures smooth, creamy queso without lumps.
- Cook until thickened: Continue whisking until the mixture becomes bubbly and reaches your desired consistency. This usually takes up to 10 minutes. Don't rush this step—all that whisking is worth it!
- Add mix-ins: Once your cheese sauce is perfectly smooth, stir in the can of diced tomatoes with green chilies and your cooked, drained ground beef.1 pound cooked ground beef, 10 ounces diced tomatoes with green chilis
- Heat and serve: Cook for just 1-2 minutes more until everything is heated through, then serve immediately with your favorite tortilla chips!
Nutrition
Say goodbye to processed cheese products and hello to real cheese queso dip! This recipe proves that you don’t need Velveeta to make smooth, creamy, delicious queso. With just a few quality ingredients and 20 minutes of your time, you’ll have a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s perfect for football season, game day parties, or any time you’re craving cheesy goodness.
Have you made queso with real cheese before? I’d love to hear about your experience and any creative variations you’ve tried!
I would use the chipotle one to make a smoky chili.
I would make salsa wtith Del Monte
the tomatoes with green chiles! I’d make enchiladas 🙂
I would make the cheese dip, along with some salsa.
I would make chili wtith Del Monte
Well, I would totally make this recipe!! I love it, and I always make the “Velveeta” version but it makes me nervous!
I’d love to try the diced tomatoes w/ green chilis! I’d make it with velveeta cheese 🙂
I would make queso dip with the diced tomatoes with green chilies
I’d make Savory Tomato Angel Hair using Del Monte Diced Tomatoes
Del Monte
I would try the Del Monte
Del Monte
Green chilies – for my Mexican surprise!
Thank you.
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
Del Monte
Definitely want to try the green chilies to make cheese dip and other mexican food creations!
I would like to try the Del Monte
I’d make slow cooker chili with Del Monte
i wanna try Del Monte
I would try the green chili one and make a salsa out of it.
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!
I’d use the Del Monte
I’d like to try the Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies
I would most like to try the Del Monte
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.
Del Monte Southwestern-Style Petite Cut tomatoes, I’d probably use them in some spanish rice
Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies
would like to try the one with chiptoles to make some fajitas or nachos! thanks!
Del Monte
Del Monte
I would like to try the Del Monte
I’d like to try the Petite Cut Diced Tomatoes with Chipotle Chilies, in order to make vegetarian chili.
I’d like to try the diced tomatoes with green chilies, and I’d make a ham and bean soup.
green chili variety- to make enchiladas!
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!
I would use the Del Monte
tomato with green chilis might be good in tacos
I’d use the tomatoes with green chilies to spice my chicken for enchiladas
I use Del Monte
Green Chilis with tomatoes to make King Ranch Casserole.
I use Del Monte Petite Cut Diced Tomatoes and Chiles in a dish I call ‘Dorito Pie’. So yummy!
[email protected]
Diced Tomatoes with Chipotle Chilies, sounds yummy!
The tomatos with green chilis! I’d make tacos 🙂
I would like to try the chipoltle.
I would use Original Recipe Stewed Tomatoes and make chili.
I would get the Del Monte Petite Cut Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies and make rotel dip using ground pork sausage and velveta thanks
i like the chicken bake
I’d use the Diced Tomatoes with Chipotle Chilies to make salsa!
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!
I would make Chili using the Del Monte
The petite cut in my omelet!
I’d like the diced tomatoes, and I’m make chili
I would use the one with green chilis to make salsa.
I’d use the stewed tomatoes to make a pasta dish
twitted this today, 02/02
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
I would use the Del Monte
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
I would like the Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies and put them in chili.
The Del Monte
I would use Del Monte
the diced tomatoes with green chilli to make great nacho dip
I would like to try the Del Monte
i’d like to try the diced tomatoes with green chilis in my salsa!
[email protected]
i would like to try Diced Tomatoes with Chipotle …that sounds great
The Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies. I’d make burritos.
Ive tried just about every tomato that del monte makes and my favorite has sweet onions.
I would love to try the ones with Chipotle Chilies. It would be yummy in a omlet.
Del Monte
I would make chili with the Tomatoes w/ green chili! YUM!
I would make salsa wtith Del Monte
I Follow the Del Monte Brand on Pinterest
Grandam6 (lisa jorgenson kay)
I WOULD MALE CHILI WITH THE Del Monte
Opp X that out…
I Like the
Del Monte
I would make dip with the tomatoes with green chilies, velveeta cheese, and ground beef. YUM!
I don’t know the difference between the peppers, but I would use both of these to make chili! 🙂
I would like to try the Del Monte
I’d like to try the Del Monte
I would try the chipotle style in my slow cooker with some beef for burritos!
Tomatoes with green chilies sounds yummy!
tomatoes with green chilis to make spicy chicken casserole
I would love to try to use Del Monte Petite Cut Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilis to make burritos
diced tomatoes and green chillies
the green chili and tomato in the 10 min chili recipe debbie jackson
djackson1958 at hotmail dot com
I would use the tomato with green chilies to make Chicken Tortilla Bake! 🙂
I would use the one with the green chilies and make black bean soup
I’d love to use the Petite Cut
I would use Del Monte
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.
I would like to try the Del Monte
I want to try the Chopped Tomatoes with Green Chilis. I have an enchillada recipe to try.
I would like to make the Del Monte Petite Cut Diced Tomatoes with Chipotle Chilies!
Thank You for the giveaway
I’d try the green chiles, and I’d make the Chicken Tortillas
I would use Del Monte
Green chilies to put it burritos!
I would love to try the Del Monte
I would make salsa with the Del Monte
I would use the Del Monte
Del Monte
I would use Del Monte
Thanks very nice blog!
I think that this LOOKS so good I would love to try. Is the Gouda cheese necessary though?
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!
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.
This looks so good, I would make mine with Boca. Thank you for sharing.
the queso dip looks delicous
Omg that looks so great! Gotta try it this evening. Thanks a bunch!
Ooh that looks amazing!.. I love the brand Del Monte by the way. I always get sliced pineapple from them. So yum..
Going to tell my wife to try this. looks delicious
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.
look delicious!
Looks really delicious!
This looks amazing!!
This is definitely what I am going to do! Looks delish!
That sounds delicious! I’ve always done simple Velveeta and milk- gotta try this!
I will be using this recipe, no doubt!
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!
Great on burritos!
What size can of evaporated milk? Thanks! Can’t wait to try!
Hi Becky! The small can – 5 ounces. Enjoy! Michelle
Not that anyone will see this before my dinner party tonight 🙂 — but did you drain the tomatoes+chili can? Thanks!
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