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Easy 15-Minute Queso (Velveeta Queso)

Queso, a.k.a. best cheese dip ever, is a very special gift to mankind. And this Easy Queso recipe is made with Velveeta and Rotel…everything you will ever need to make the best queso ever!

Dipping a tortilla chips into a bowl of queso
This post was first published in January 2018 and updated on April 2021

To the first person who said ‘hey, let’s melt some cheese!’ – the world has benefited from your ingenuity, so thank you thank you thank you. Because life certainly got yummier since then.

The bet part is…queso is stupid easy to make. Like, 15-minute, pantry-friendly kinda easy.

What is queso dip?

Technically short for chili con queso, queso is a common appetizer in Tex-Mex cuisine (fusion of Texan and Mexican cuisine).

It is a bowl of warm, melted cheese with seasonings and ingredients such as tomatoes and chili peppers (that’s where the Velveeta and Rotel come in), served with warm tortilla chips.

I like to serve up this Velveeta Queso with some of my other Mexican favorites such as guacamole, Mexican Rice, Pico de Gallo Stuffed Avocado, and salsa.

Tortilla chip in a bowl of easy queso with more chips surrounding it

My husband is a lover of all queso. Queso is always present when we have Mexican food.

We are always trying out new quesos. We make our own queso. You get the picture. We are avid queso eaters…and creators 🙂

You need to thank my husband for this easy queso recipe. He came up with this recipe and has been making it since high school. We have tweaked it slightly since then, but this is a tried and true recipe from my hubs.

It is such a good one I knew I had to include it in the blog. Good things are meant to be shared. 🧡

Quick and Easy Queso Recipe

This is a very easy queso recipe that is ready under 15 minutes. One of the reasons why it’s so easy to make is because it uses Velveeta cheese, which melts beautifully and quickly, and gives the cheese dip a nice creamy texture.

Rotel, chicken broth and the other seasonings then gives it additional flavors. Just throw it all in there and you got yourself a creamy and flavorful Velveeta Queso.

A bowl of queso surrounded by tortilla chips

Velveeta and Rotel Queso

It is super quick, only six ingredients (yes, SIX!) and takes less than 15 minutes to make.

Here’s what you need:

  • Velveeta cheese – the perfect cheese to make queso because velveet melts beautifully and is super smooth!
  • Rotel tomatoes – tomatoes and chili peppers
  • Chicken broth
  • Garlic powder
  • Chili powder
  • Smoked paprika

How to make queso

Step 1: Bring everything to the pot to boil

Bring chicken bone broth and Rotel to a boil in a pot, then add Velveeta cheese (cubed into smaller pieces so it is easier to melt), garlic powder, chili powder and paprika.

Cooking chicken broth, velveta cheese, tomatoes in a pot

Bring to a boil and cook until queso is smooth, and at your desired consistency.

Feel free to add more chicken broth at anytime if you want to make queso less thick.

Step 2: Serve with chips on the side

Serve queso warm with chips on the side. That’s how easy it is!

Pro tip: you don’t want queso to sit out for too long before serving, because then queso will harden.

Variations

If you would like to add more ingredients to make a more complex version of a queso, here are some other yummy ingredients to add:

  • Tabasco  – this will provide a spicier and more sour spin. A little goes a long way.
  • Cayenne – if you like spicy, this is a good add! Be warned that a little bit does go a long way as well!
  • Taco seasoning – this can be used in place or in addition to the spices suggested in this recipe.
  • Garnish with cilantro! Cilantro gives it a fresh burst of flavor when you bite into it.
  • Other garnishes – cubed tomatoes, more smoked paprika etc.
  • Ground beef or chorizo – want to add some protein to your queso? You can add cooked ground beef or chorizo to it as well. Add it at the end as a garnish.

Grab some tortilla chips and DIP IN.

Top down view of a bowl of easy queso dip topped with cilantro and tomatoes

Tips and Tricks

Here are a few things you need to know when you make this Velveeta and Rotel Easy Queso recipe!

  • Cook under medium low heat and stir continuously when cooking queso in the pot to avoid it sticking to the bottom of the pot.
  • Add more chicken broth at any time during cooking to dilute the queso if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to store leftovers?

Store leftover queso in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

How do I reheat queso?

– To reheat queso in the microwave, add a teaspoon or two of chicken broth or water, then microwave at 30 seconds increment. Every 30 seconds, remove from microwave and stir queso. Keeping doing that until queso is warm and smooth.
– To reheat queso in a pot, add a few tablespoon of chicken broth to queso in the pot, heat under medium heat until it comes to a boil. Stirring continuously.

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Yes you can but do note that a lot of cheese are hard to melt and the cheese sauce will not be smooth. I find that velveeta melts the best and makes a better queso dip than say cheddar or even mozzarella.

A bowl of cheese dip topped with tomatoes and cilantro

This Easy Velveeta and Rotel Queso recipe is perfect for Cinco de Mayo, game day, Super Bowl Sunday, parties, gatherings, or as a side for your favorite Mexican meal any day!

Warning: it is very, very hard to stop at one bite.

Proceed with caution. ❤️

More Mexican Recipes

DID YOU ENJOY THIS RECIPE? Please comment below and give us a 5-star rating! This will help others find this recipe on Google and Pinterest. We very much appreciate your help! 🤍

Dipping chip into a bowl of queso

Easy 15-Minute Queso (Velveeta Queso)

A easy recipe of the classic Mexican inspired cheese dip! Melted cheese seasoned with chili and garlic powder, peppers and tomatoes. Served with warm tortilla chips.
4.94 from 73 votes
Print Pin
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American, Mexican, Tex-Mex
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 134kcal
Author: MinShien

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Chicken broth more if needed
  • 10 oz Rotel tomatoes
  • 1 lbs Velveeta cheese cubed
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
  • cilantro chopped, optional

Instructions

  • Add chicken broth, Rotel tomatoes to a pot. Bring to a boil. Then add cubed Velveeta cheese, garlic powder, chili powder, and smoked paprika. Lower to medium low heat and stir continuously.
  • Add more chicken broth at anytime to dilute it if it becomes too thick.
  • Once queso is smooth, cheese is dissolved, and queso reaches desired consistency, remove from heat.
  • Serve immediately with chips. Optional: Garnish with cilantro. Enjoy!

Notes

Other optional ingredients: tabasco and cayenne for spicier queso.
Other garnishes: cubed tomatoes, more smoked paprika.

Nutrition

Calories: 134kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 959mg | Potassium: 280mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 670IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 338mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Take a pic and tag me at @joyous.apron, or hashtag #joyousapron on Instagram!

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4.94 from 73 votes (57 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




34 Comments

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      Yes!! You are so right!! 🙂

  1. 5 stars
    Made this for a girls’ night, and everyone loved it! Several of my friends wanted the recipe. I loved the smoked paprika. I had never even heard of that before. I’m not even a big cheese dip fan usually, but I couldn’t stop eating this. Thanks for another good recipe.

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      Thank you for trying it Allie! I am so glad you and your friends love the recipe. I definitely like the smoked paprika in there too, it gives it a nice, deep smoky flavor. You are now making me crave for cheese dip…might have to make it this weekend! ?

  2. 5 stars
    I made this yesterday and it was a hit. I kept it on the back burner while my boyfriend and I made tortillas for taco night and he devoured it as he stood at the stove flipping tortillas. I also put some inside my tacos for the ultimate cheesy taco experience. Yum!

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      Thanks so much for the feedback and review, Rikki! This is also a favorite in our household. Whenever we make it we cannot stop eating it as well! Haha. Quite addictive I must say. 🙂 I am so happy you and your boyfriend like it!

    2. Can you make this in a small crockpot instead of on the stove?

    3. Joyous Apron says:

      Yes! I think that should be fine! You may need to use less chicken stock so that queso is not overly diluted. Typically queso will not thicken as much when cooking in the slow cooker.

  3. 5 stars
    MMMM so delicious and I just love how this comes together in only 15-minutes!

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      Thank you so much! 🙂

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      So glad you like it! 🙂

  4. 5 stars
    Super easy to make – Deliciousness to last days and multiple meals. Drizzling it all over our chips and burritos, and hopefully enough to last us another round of tacos and snacks!

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      That sounds amazing!!!

  5. 5 stars
    Melty queso is the BEST! Made your dip for a get together and it didn’t last long, everyone loved it.

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      That’s great! So glad everyone loved it!

  6. 5 stars
    I absolutely loved this queso recipe. I’ve made many in the past but this one is my go-to. Delicious every time.

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      I am so glad this one worked out for you! Thanks so much for sharing!

  7. 5 stars
    So creamy, delicious and beautifully spiced! Making it again this week for Taco Tuesday!

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      That’s awesome! Glad you enjoyed it, Kathi!

  8. Lynn @ Fresh April Flours says:

    5 stars
    DELISH! Thanks for the recipe!

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      Thank YOU for making it!

  9. 5 stars
    We’ve made a lot of queso and this one has been by far the most requested. Super simple. Perfect flavor.

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      Thank you so much! Happy to hear that!

  10. Jennifer H says:

    5 stars
    THis is the ultimate easy, cheesy queso! Saving it for all my parties!! I love the easy to follow instructions to make this too.

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      Thanks Jennifer! Glad you like this recipe!

  11. juliepking says:

    5 stars
    Holy yum! This is my new favorite queso recipe! It came out so tasty and perfect.

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      I always love to hear that!!!

  12. 5 stars
    The only time I used processed cheese is to make dips like this! It’s just so good. Thanks for sharing.

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      Same, Dee, SAME!!

  13. 5 stars
    If I used water in place of chicken broth would I be sacrificing flavor? I have a grand daughter who is vegetarian.

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      Yes it would. I would use vegetarian broth instead of chicken broth – it’ll give the queso more flavor compared to water.

  14. Judy Imanse says:

    5 stars
    Is there anything else, besides chips, this dip is good on? Baked potato? Thanks, it’s deliious.

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      I love it on french fries! Queso with baked potato sounds delicious too!