Queso Dip with Ground Beef (Printable)
Creamy dip with savory beef and vibrant peppers, ideal for party snacking or game day appetites.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1/2 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 small onion, finely diced
03 - 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 1/2 green bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Dairy
07 - 12 oz processed cheese, cubed
08 - 1 cup whole milk
09 - 1/2 cup sour cream
→ Canned & Pantry
10 - 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
11 - 1 tsp ground cumin
12 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
14 - Salt and pepper to taste
→ Garnish
15 - Chopped cilantro
16 - Sliced green onions
17 - Diced tomatoes
# Directions:
01 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned and cooked through, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add the onion, bell peppers, jalapeño, and garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
03 - Stir in the cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute until the spices are fragrant.
04 - Lower the heat and add the cubed processed cheese and milk. Stir gently until the cheese is fully melted and the mixture is smooth and creamy.
05 - Mix in the drained diced tomatoes with green chilies and sour cream. Stir until well combined and heated through completely.
06 - Taste the dip and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
07 - Transfer the queso dip to a serving bowl or small slow cooker set to warm. Garnish with chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, or diced tomatoes as desired. Serve hot with tortilla chips or fresh vegetables.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The beef adds serious substance so people fill up faster, which means more chips for everyone
- That processed cheese melts into the most velvety, restaurant style texture that just keeps coating chips perfectly
02 -
- High heat will cause the cheese to seize into a weird, rubbery mess, so keep it low and slow when melting
- The dip thickens as it cools, so make it slightly thinner than you think you need
03 -
- Cube your cheese before you start cooking so it melts evenly and quickly
- Grate fresh veggies slightly larger than you think you need for better texture contrast