The Ultimate Queso Recipes

THE ULTIMATE QUESO

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook sausage until crumbled and no longer pink. Drain fat.
• Stovetop Preparation: In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, combine cooked sausage and remaining ingredients. Cook on medium until cheese has melted. Add milk if cheese dip is too thick.
• Microwave Preparation: In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine cooked sausage and remaining ingredients. Microwave on HIGH for 4 minutes, stir. Microwave on HIGH for an additional 4 minutes, stir. Continue microwaving in 1 to 2-minute intervals until cheese is melted and dip is thoroughly heated. Serve immediately. Add milk if cheese dip is too thick.
• Slow Cooker Preparation: Combine cooked sausage and remaining ingredients in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW 1 to 2 hours, until cheese is melted. Add milk if cheese dip is too thick.

THE ULTIMATE QUESO

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine the half and half and the salt, onion powder, chili powder, and garlic powder. Cook over medium heat, stirring very frequently (constantly near the end), until bubbles form around the edges and it almost boils. Reduce heat to medium-low.
• Whisking constantly, add a handful of the chopped American cheese. Stir until the cheese is completely melted, then repeat until all the American cheese has been used. Repeat with the pepper jack cheese, reserving 1/4 cup. of the cheese for later. When the mixture is completely smooth, remove from heat. Add the chilies and stir until thoroughly incorporated. Transfer to a serving dish, add toppings as desired, and sprinkle with reserved pepper jack cheese.

QUESO

Steps:

• Add the processed cheese, Monterey Jack, Cheddar and canned tomatoes (along with the juice) to a medium saucepan or 10-inch cast-iron skillet (see Cook's Note) and turn the heat to medium. Cook, stirring frequently with a rubber spatula, until all the cheese has melted and the queso is smooth, about 5 minutes. Serve immediately with tortilla chips.
• To make the queso spicy, use hot diced tomatoes and green chiles, such as RoTel Hot, instead of the Original.
• Processed block cheese is crucial due to its meltability and what it adds to the queso's texture. Do not try to substitute other cheeses.

ULTIMATE QUESO DIP

Steps:

• Cook sausage in a large pot over medium heat until browned and crumbled, about 5 minutes. Drain off grease and return sausage to the pot. Add Cheddar cheese, diced tomatoes, Cheddar Jack cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, green chiles, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and red pepper.
• Cook over low heat, stirring often, until queso is well combined and has the right consistency, 5 to 10 minutes. Serve immediately or keep warm in a slow cooker on Low setting for an all-day snack.