Description
Cowboy Queso is a creamy, spicy cheese dip loaded with ground beef, black beans, corn, and jalapeños, making it a perfect appetizer for game day or parties. This Tex-Mex favorite combines melted Velveeta and shredded cheese with flavorful spices to create a rich and satisfying dip that pairs wonderfully with tortilla chips.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1/2 pound ground beef or spicy sausage
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (if needed)
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1 jalapeño (seeded and diced)
Beans and Vegetables
- 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chiles (drained)
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1/2 cup corn (frozen or canned and drained)
Spices
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
Cheese and Dairy
- 16 ounces processed cheese (such as Velveeta)
- 1 cup shredded pepper jack or cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup milk (more as needed for consistency)
Garnish (Optional)
- Chopped cilantro
- Sliced green onions
Instructions
- Cook the Meat: In a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat, cook the ground beef or spicy sausage until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion and jalapeño to the skillet and cook for 3–4 minutes until they soften and release their flavors.
- Add Vegetables and Spices: Stir in the drained diced tomatoes with green chiles, rinsed black beans, corn, chili powder, and cumin. Mix well to combine all ingredients evenly, then reduce heat to low.
- Incorporate Cheese and Milk: Add the processed cheese (such as Velveeta), shredded pepper jack or cheddar cheese, and milk to the skillet. Stir frequently until the cheese melts completely and the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add more milk as needed to adjust the consistency to your liking.
- Keep Warm and Serve: Keep the queso warm on low heat until ready to serve. Garnish with chopped cilantro and sliced green onions if desired. Serve hot with tortilla chips for dipping.
Notes
- Keep warm in a slow cooker for easy serving at parties or game day gatherings.
- For extra flavor, stir in cooked bacon or a dash of hot sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
