This cheddars queso recipe is a quick and easy dip that is perfect for tailgate parties, nacho night or watching a game! It’s also a good way to cut back on calories.
This cheesy dip is made with Pepper Jack and Sharp Cheddar cheeses, which makes it super ooey gooey. It’s perfect with tortilla chips, fries, burgers, corn, broccoli or just about anything you want to eat!
Ingredients
The best part about this cheesy concoction is it’s easy enough for even the most novice of cooks to whip up. A combination of cornstarch and evaporated milk makes for a silky smooth dip that’s as forgiving as it is tasty. Add a pinch of salt and you’ve got yourself a winning snack to share with your friends at the next gathering. The recipe also squeaks in at a whopping 10 minutes or so. Make a batch in advance for a quick game day or movie night treat. The ingredients are all easy to find at your local grocery store.
You can even make the most of your leftovers by turning it into an instant pot crispy BBQ chicken wing recipe! I’m sure you’ll agree that this is the most impressive thing to come out of your kitchen in a while!
Prep Time
Make sure that all of the ingredients needed for this recipe are prepped and ready to go before you start making the cheddars queso. This will prevent the roux from burning, the bechamel from curdling, and the cheese from caking while you’re trying to multitask in the kitchen!
After draining the curds from the pot, pour them into a colander lined with cheesecloth. Set this colander over the warm whey, which you will reserve for the cheddaring process (see instructions below).
Alternatively, if you don’t have a colander to suspend your cheese pot over the whey, you can place the curds in a cheesemaking pot that has a colander inside it. This helps to distribute the weight of the stacked curds so that they don’t press too hard and break apart.
Once the curds have drained for 15 minutes, they’ll mat together into a solid mass. Stack the curds on top of each other and set them back into the cheesecloth-lined colander. Hold them over 100 degrees F (38 C) for two hours, flipping the stacked curds every 15 minutes to help them evenly press. This process is called cheddaring and gives the cheese its name and distinction.
The final result will be a soft, creamy, and slightly spicy cheese. This is a good option for dipping, but can also be used as the base for a more robust cheese sauce for burritos or mac & cheese. To serve, portion the dip into your preferred serving vessel and top with fresh toppings if you’d like.
Cook Time
If you need a quick dip for your next game day party or a fun show, this cheddars queso recipe will get the job done in just 10 minutes. All you need are a few pantry ingredients like milk, butter, whole wheat flour, and cheese! You can also use this easy sauce as a base for a lame burrito bowl or mac & cheese, and of course, it’s great to bring with you to watch games.
This recipe uses mild cheddar cheese, which melts more smoothly than sharper cheddars (which may result in a greasy, curdled mess when swapped for mild in a recipe that calls for sharp). If you’re not sure whether or not you should use a mild or a sharp type of cheddar, simply follow the instructions for the original cheese dip and adjust the amount of salt, cayenne, chili powder, and/or hot sauce to taste.
Once you have everything ready to go, bake it for 45 minutes or until bubbly around the edges and piping hot. Serve it with a side of chips for dipping or a platter of fresh vegetables, and enjoy!
Serve
The best way to serve this swoon-worthy cheese dip is in a mini cast-iron skillet with a fabric hot handle holder. That way you can savor each sip as they come and go, without having to worry about scalding yourself on the hot pan itself! Another way to savor the creamy goodness is to tuck it into your trusty 1.5 Quart Slow Cooker for a nice, cool & toasty finish.
The icing on the cake is that it takes about 30 minutes from start to finish! Whether you’re making it to feed a crowd or to satisfy your inner cheese connoisseur, this is the perfect recipe to try your hand at. It’s also one of the most satisfying things to make when you know you’re serving a mouthwatering meal your guests will remember for years to come!