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Easy Ultimate Cheesy Spicy Queso Dip with Ground Beef

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This creamy, cheesy queso dip with seasoned ground beef and a spicy kick is perfect for game day or any gathering. Ready in under 25 minutes, it’s a crowd-pleaser that will have everyone asking for the recipe.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced (about 1/2 cup)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 16 ounces Velveeta, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (or pepper jack for extra heat)
  • 1 can (10 ounces) Rotel diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1–2 fresh jalapeños, seeded and minced (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes until fully browned and no longer pink. Leave about a tablespoon of fat in the pan.
  2. Reduce heat to medium and add the diced onion. Cook for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper over the beef. Stir well and cook for 1 minute to toast the spices. Remove from heat and set aside.
  4. In a medium saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add cubed Velveeta, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, milk, and undrained Rotel. Stir gently but constantly.
  5. Keep heat on medium-low and stir frequently for 5-7 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and smooth. The mixture should be thick but pourable.
  6. Add the seasoned ground beef to the melted cheese and stir until evenly distributed. If too thick, add a splash of milk; if too thin, simmer on low for 2-3 minutes.
  7. Stir in minced jalapeños if using. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  8. Transfer to a serving bowl or slow cooker set to warm. Garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve immediately with tortilla chips or keep warm in the slow cooker for up to 2 hours.

Notes

For best results, shred your own cheese to avoid graininess. Keep heat low when melting cheese to prevent separation. The queso can be made up to 2 days ahead and reheated gently with a splash of milk. For a vegetarian version, skip the beef and add a can of drained black beans.

Nutrition

Keywords: queso dip, ground beef queso, spicy queso, game day dip, easy appetizer, cheesy dip, rotel dip, super bowl dip

Find it online: https://bakebelle.com/easy-ultimate-cheesy-spicy-queso-dip-with-ground-beef/