Description
Pappasito’s Queso is a creamy, cheesy dip loaded with sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, fresh jalapeño, and sautéed onions. Perfectly smooth and rich, it’s garnished with diced tomatoes and cilantro, making it an irresistible choice to serve warm with crispy tortilla chips for dipping at parties or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Queso Base
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 small jalapeño, finely chopped (seeds removed for less heat)
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup milk (plus more if needed)
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- Salt to taste
Garnish
- 1/4 cup diced tomatoes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
To Serve
- Tortilla chips
Instructions
- Heat Butter: Heat the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat until melted. This forms the base for sautéing your aromatics.
- Sauté Onion and Jalapeño: Add the finely diced yellow onion and chopped jalapeño to the melted butter. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables soften and the mixture becomes fragrant, building flavor for the queso.
- Add Cheese Gradually: Lower the heat to medium-low. Gradually add the shredded sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, one handful at a time, stirring constantly to help the cheeses melt evenly without clumping or burning.
- Add Milk and Cream: Pour in the milk and heavy cream while stirring continuously. Keep mixing until the queso becomes smooth and creamy. If it’s too thick, adjust the consistency with additional milk until desired creaminess is reached.
- Season: Remove the saucepan from heat and season the queso with salt to taste, enhancing the flavor balance.
- Garnish: Transfer the queso to a serving dish and garnish with diced tomatoes and chopped fresh cilantro for added freshness and color.
- Serve Warm: Serve immediately with crunchy tortilla chips for dipping and enjoying the creamy, cheesy goodness at its best.
Notes
- For less spice, remove all jalapeño seeds before chopping.
- If queso thickens after standing, gently reheat while stirring and add a splash of milk if needed to smooth it out.
- You can substitute Monterey Jack with other mild melting cheeses like mozzarella or fontina.
- Use fresh, high-quality cheeses for the creamiest texture.
- Optional garnishes like diced tomatoes and cilantro add nice color and a fresh bite but can be omitted.
- Serve immediately for best texture; queso tends to thicken as it cools.
