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Cowboy Queso Recipe

Cowboy Queso Recipe: 5 Ways to Make This Spicy Party Dip Shine


  • Author: recipeinspire
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x

Description

Cowboy Queso Recipe is a bold, creamy, and spicy party dip loaded with melted cheese, seasoned ground beef, Rotel tomatoes, jalapeños, and Tex-Mex flavors. This easy queso dip is perfect for game days, BBQs, taco nights, and gatherings where you need an appetizer everyone will love.


Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

For the Cowboy Queso

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
  • 16 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
  • 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
  • 1/2 cup milk or evaporated milk
  • 1 jalapeño, finely diced
  • 1/2 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup corn kernels
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

Optional Toppings

  • Extra shredded cheese
  • Fresh jalapeño slices
  • Chopped cilantro
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Crumbled bacon
  • Hot sauce

For Serving

  • Tortilla chips
  • Fritos Scoops
  • Pretzel bites
  • Vegetable sticks

Instructions

Instructions

  1. Cook the beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess grease if needed.
  2. Sauté the aromatics: Add diced onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  3. Season the mixture: Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir until combined.
  4. Make the queso: Reduce heat to low. Add Velveeta, pepper jack cheese, and milk. Stir continuously until melted and smooth.
  5. Add the cowboy flavors: Stir in Rotel tomatoes, jalapeños, black beans, corn, green onions, and cilantro.
  6. Simmer: Cook for 5 minutes on low heat, stirring occasionally, until everything is hot and creamy.
  7. Serve: Transfer to a serving bowl or slow cooker. Add toppings if desired and serve warm with tortilla chips.

Notes

Keep the queso warm in a slow cooker on the low setting during parties. For a spicier dip, use hot Rotel, add extra jalapeños, or mix in your favorite hot sauce. Leftover queso can be reheated gently with a splash of milk to restore the creamy texture.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/12 recipe
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 760mg
  • Fat: 25g
  • Saturated Fat: 12g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 12g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 15g
  • Cholesterol: 65mg

Keywords: cowboy queso recipe, spicy queso dip, cowboy dip, tex mex appetizer, rotel queso dip, game day dip, party cheese dip