What is Queso Cheese?

Queso, which literally means “cheese” in Spanish, has become a beloved staple of Tex-Mex cuisine in the United States. Known for its creamy, melty texture, queso is often served warm as a dip with tortilla chips or drizzled over nachos, tacos, and burritos. More than just cheese, queso has earned its place as a comfort food that blends cultural tradition with crowd-pleasing flavor.

What is Queso Made Of?

Queso cheese dip is typically made by melting cheese into a smooth, pourable sauce. The base usually combines one or more cheeses that melt well, such as American or Monterey Jack, with milk or cream to create a rich texture. From there, recipes can be customized with ingredients like onions, tomatoes, or spices to enhance flavor, but the star of queso is always gooey, melted cheese itself. 

What is Chile Con Queso?

Chile con queso, which translates to “chile with cheese” is the Tex-Mex version of queso that blends melted cheese with peppers for heat and flavor. It is a restaurant staple across the U.S., often served with chips or as a topping for nachos, tacos and burritos. While queso can simply mean "cheese," chile con queso has become the dish that most people think of when they order queso at a Tex-Mex spot. 

What Are The Different Types Of Queso?

Queso traditionalists, you might call them, stick to a classic, tried-and-true recipe: a brick of melted Velveeta and a can of Ro-Tel Diced Tomatoes and Green Chiles.

As you might expect, however, the concept has gained a lot of traction beyond Texas, known by many Americans as the birthplace of authentic queso in the early 20th century. But can you blame the rest of the country for loving the concept so much they try to re-create it?

Queso recipes vary widely, and that’s part of the appeal. The flavor and texture often depend on the types of cheeses used, which can completely change the dip. Some of the most popular varieties include:

• Classic Velveeta and Ro-Tel queso: a simple, nostalgic version made with processed cheese and canned tomatoes with green chiles.

• White queso: often made with Monterey Jack or white cheddar for a milder flavor and thinner consistency.

• Yellow queso: made with American or cheddar cheese for a richer, bolder taste.

• Spicy queso: enhanced with jalapeños, green chiles, or chili powder for extra kick.

• Loaded queso: recipes that add ground beef, chorizo, or sausage for a heartier dip.

Still other queso dip recipes use yellow American cheese, and aged cheddar can be a substitute as well.  Whether it’s orange or white, mild or spicy, queso has become a versatile dish that reflects local tastes and traditions across the U.S. 

How To Use Queso Cheese?

Queso is meant for dipping. While it’s not illegal to pour it over chips, burritos or tacos — frankly, queso might work on anything — you won’t find queso purists messing with the classic dipping style.