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Easy Loaded Game Day Queso Dip Best Party Appetizer

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This Easy Loaded Game Day Queso Dip is a creamy, loaded, and incredibly simple-to-make dip that’s perfect for game day or any party. Made with real cheese, savory ground beef, and zesty Rotel tomatoes, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that disappears before halftime.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb Ground Beef (80/20)
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1/2 cup Yellow Onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 (10 oz) can Rotel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chiles, undrained
  • 1 (4 oz) can Diced Green Chiles
  • 8 oz Block Sharp Cheddar Cheese, freshly shredded
  • 8 oz Block Pepper Jack Cheese, freshly shredded
  • 1/2 cup Whole Milk or Half-and-Half
  • 1 tsp Ground Cumin
  • 1/2 tsp Chili Powder
  • Salt and Black Pepper, to taste
  • Optional Toppings: Fresh cilantro, chopped, pickled jalapeños, diced tomatoes, sliced green onions, and a dollop of sour cream or crema

Instructions

  1. Brown the Meat: Place your large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and let it shimmer. Add the ground beef and break it apart with your wooden spoon. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 6-8 minutes, until it’s nicely browned and no longer pink. Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to transfer the beef to a plate, leaving about 1 tablespoon of drippings in the pan.
  2. Sauté the Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion to the pan with the reserved drippings. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onion is soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for just 30 seconds more, until fragrant.
  3. Add the Tomatoes and Spices: Pour in the undrained can of Rotel and the can of diced green chiles. Stir everything together, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the ground cumin and chili powder. Let this mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the liquid to reduce slightly.
  4. Return the Meat: Add the cooked ground beef back to the pan. Stir to combine everything evenly.
  5. Melt the Cheese: Reduce the heat to low. Add the freshly shredded cheddar and pepper jack cheese to the pan one handful at a time, stirring constantly in a figure-eight motion. Wait until each handful is almost completely melted before adding the next.
  6. Thin the Sauce: Once all the cheese is melted and smooth, slowly pour in the milk or half-and-half, starting with 1/4 cup. Stir until fully incorporated. Add more milk, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired dipping consistency. I usually use about 1/2 cup total.
  7. Season and Serve: Taste your queso and season with salt and pepper. Transfer the queso to a serving bowl, top with your favorite garnishes, and serve immediately with a big bowl of tortilla chips.

Notes

For a smooth queso, always shred your own cheese from a block and melt it over low heat. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. If the queso becomes too thick upon reheating, stir in a splash of milk. This dip can also be made in a slow cooker: brown the meat and sauté aromatics on the stovetop, then transfer everything to the slow cooker and cook on low for 1-2 hours.

Nutrition

Keywords: queso dip, game day dip, loaded queso, easy queso, party appetizer, cheese dip, ground beef queso

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