Beef Queso Dip Tortilla Chips (Printable)

Creamy blend of spiced beef and cheese served warm alongside crispy tortilla chips for easy snacking.

# What You'll Need:

→ Beef

01 - 0.5 lb ground beef
02 - 0.5 tsp salt
03 - 0.25 tsp black pepper
04 - 0.5 tsp ground cumin
05 - 0.5 tsp chili powder

→ Vegetables

06 - 0.5 small onion, finely diced
07 - 1 small jalapeño, deseeded and finely chopped

→ Cheese Sauce

08 - 9 oz processed cheese, cubed
09 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
10 - 0.5 cup whole milk
11 - 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 0.25 tsp garlic powder

→ Garnish & Chips

13 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
14 - 1 tomato, diced
15 - 7 oz tortilla chips

# How To Make It:

01 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and season with salt, pepper, cumin, and chili powder. Cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking up the meat constantly, until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add diced onion and jalapeño to the cooked beef. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
03 - Reduce heat to low. Add processed cheese cubes, shredded cheddar, and milk to the skillet. Stir continuously for 3-4 minutes until cheese is completely melted and sauce is smooth.
04 - Mix in smoked paprika and garlic powder. Stir well until fully incorporated and dip reaches a creamy, consistent texture. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
05 - Transfer queso dip to a serving bowl. Top with chopped cilantro and diced tomato. Serve immediately while warm with tortilla chips for dipping.

# Tips from dashanddishes:

01 -
  • The processed cheese might feel like cheating but it is what gives that perfectly smooth restaurant style texture that never separates or gets grainy
  • Ground beef transforms this from a basic cheese dip into something substantial enough to be dinner on those nights when cooking feels like too much effort
02 -
  • This dip thickens considerably as it cools so either serve it immediately or keep it warm in a slow cooker on the lowest setting
  • If the cheese separates into a greasy mess you have probably heated it too high or too fast so start over and keep the heat gentle this time
03 -
  • The processed cheese might feel like a shortcut but it is the secret ingredient that keeps the texture smooth and dipable instead of grainy and sad
  • Letting the beef get properly browned and caramelized instead of just cooked through makes a huge difference in the final flavor

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