3-Ingredient Queso Cheese Dip
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3-Ingredient Queso Cheese Dip is the easiest recipe for a cheese dip! It has a rich and creamy texture, a satisfying cheese flavor, and it’s made with real ingredients, no artificial cheese here! (No shade to Velveeta!)
I’ve partnered with Argo® Corn Starch to create this simple Cheese Dip recipe.
Homemade Cheese Dip
This is a perfect game day recipe that will disappear in no time! Aren’t we all looking for the cheese dip at a party??
When I get together with family on game day, someone usually brings along a jar of nacho cheese sauce. It may taste good, but I’d prefer to eat ingredients I can pronounce.
It’s still a splurge (this is cheese dip, after all. Its main ingredient is cheese), but now we can make it from scratch and know exactly what went into it!
Easy Queso Dip Ingredients
The three ingredients I used to make this simple cheese dip are:
- plenty of real cheddar cheese
- half and half for richness
- Corn starch to thicken
Can’t beat that, 3 ingredients that you likely already have on hand!
I used Argo® Corn Starch because it’s a brand I trust and can always rely on for a consistent result to thicken my soups, sauces, stir-fries, gravies, and so forth.
I like to use it here because it skips a step in making a roux with butter and flour, and that also equates to a little less cooking time.
How to Make Queso Dip
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together half and half and cornstarch until smooth.
- Bring to a light boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer 30 seconds, stirring constantly, then remove from heat.
- Immediately stir in cheese and return to low heat, and stir to fully melt cheese. Serve warm with tortilla chips for dipping.
- Note that the sauce will not reheat well, so scale as needed.
Can I Make This With Another Type of Cheese?
Yes, this recipe should work with any cheese you can buy in a block at the store. You’ll want to use a softer cheese like Swiss or cheddar since those melt more easily. I am partial to Monterey Jack cheese, and cream cheese adds a really great creamy flavor.
Can I Use Pre-Shredded Cheese for This Dip?
No, you should buy a block of cheese and shred the cheese yourself. Bags of shredded cheese have cornstarch in them to prevent the cheese from sticking together, which will mess up the creamy texture of this homemade cheese dip.
What to Serve With Cheese Dip
Nothing beats enjoying classic tortilla chips with this dip. Pretzels would also taste great with this, as would sliced apples. Since this dip is flavored only with cheddar cheese, it’s incredibly versatile.
Queso Dip Additions
There are as many different versions of this basic queso recipe as there are people who love queso! There are so many fun ingredients to add to this appetizer to make it perfect for your taste. Consider adding some combination of the following ingredients:
- Diced peppers like jalapeños, green chiles, or habañeros, if you love spice
- Tomatoes, whether freshly chopped or a can of Rotel
- Freshly shredded cilantro
- Salt, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper
- Ground beef
- Diced red onion or green onions (fun for garnish)
Tips for the Best Cheese Dip
- The cheese dip will be a little runny at first, but will nicely thicken as it cools. With that said, this dip is best enjoyed right after making.
- You can always scale down the ingredients for a smaller party or make a double batch for a bigger game day get-together.
- Buy the best quality cheddar cheese you can for the best flavor.
More Dip Recipes You’ll Love:
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3-Ingredient Queso Cheese Dip
Ingredients
- 1 cup half and half
- 1 Tbsp Argo Corn Starch
- 8 oz. medium cheddar cheese, shredded*
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan whisk together half and half and cornstarch until smooth.
- Bring to a light boil over medium-high heat stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer 30 seconds, stirring constantly, then remove from heat.
- Immediately stir in cheese and return to low heat and stir to fully melt cheese. Serve warm with tortilla chips for dipping.
Notes
- *Don't use pre-shredded cheese. Buy a block and shred it yourself.
- The cheese dip will be a little runny at first, but will nicely thicken as it cools. With that said, this dip is best enjoyed right after making.
- Note that the sauce will not reheat well, so scale as needed.
- Recipe source: adapted from ARGO