Go Back
A delicious bowl of Cowboy Queso is shown as the featured image.

Irresistible Cowboy Queso

This Cowboy Queso recipe is a warm, smoky, and flavorful cheese dip that's guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. It combines Velveeta and cream cheese with browned ground beef, sautéed vegetables, and a blend of Tex-Mex spices for an irresistible flavor explosion. Serve it with tortilla chips, vegetables, or as a topping for nachos, tacos, or fries.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 32 ounces Velveeta cheese, cut into cubes
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/4 cup milk or half-and-half, optional
  • Tortilla chips, for serving
  • Chopped cilantro, for garnish optional
  • Diced tomatoes, for garnish optional
  • Sliced green onions, for garnish optional
  • Pickled jalapeños, for garnish optional
  • Sour cream, for garnish optional

Equipment

  • Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • cutting board
  • knife
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • Spatula or spoon
  • Serving bowl

Method
 

  1. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess grease.
  2. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the skillet with the cooked beef. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Stir in the taco seasoning, cumin, and chili powder. Cook for another minute, until fragrant.
  4. Reduce the heat to low. Add the Velveeta cheese, cream cheese, diced tomatoes and green chilies (Rotel), and diced green chilies to the skillet.
  5. Stir constantly until the cheese is completely melted and smooth. This can take a few minutes, so be patient and keep stirring to prevent burning.
  6. If the queso is too thick, stir in a little bit of milk or half-and-half until it reaches your desired consistency.
  7. Transfer the Cowboy Queso to a serving bowl.
  8. Garnish with your favorite toppings, such as chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes, sliced green onions, pickled jalapeños, or sour cream.
  9. Serve immediately with tortilla chips, vegetables, or pretzels.

Notes

Keep the queso warm in a slow cooker or chafing dish, stirring occasionally to prevent a skin from forming. You can brown the ground beef and sauté the vegetables ahead of time and store in the refrigerator. Customize the toppings with black olives, corn, pico de gallo, or guacamole. For a spicier queso, add cayenne pepper or hot sauce. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring frequently.