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Queso Fundido Mexican Dip

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Scrumptious queso fundido is the perfect Mexican dip for festive parties! Whether in California or at my beach home in Mexico, I enjoy serving queso fundido at fun gatherings on both sides of the border.

Queso Fundido

WHAT IS QUESO FUNDIDO?

Queso fundido is like fondue dip that’s made and served in a small, hot, cast-iron skillet. Scoop it up with tortilla chips, or use a spoon to add it to the middle of a soft, warm tortilla. Serve this Mexican dip on Taco Tuesday, Cinco de Mayo, or on game days! When feeding a crowd, you can keep this appetizer warm in a crockpot.


What type of Cheese is Used for Queso Fundido?

Queso fundido is traditionally made with a Mexican cheese that melts well:

  • Oaxaca
  • Manchego
  • Asadero
  • Manchego
  • Chihuahu

Outside Mexico you can find these products at a specialty Mexican market. But you can also use Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or Mozzarella. Any cheese that melts easily can be used to make this delicious Mexican dip.


QUESO FUNDIDO INGREDIENTS

These are the ingredients for queso fundido.

  • Mexican chorizo or breakfast sausage
  • Yellow onion
  • Bell pepper
  • Fire-roasted green chilies, canned
  • Any type of melting cheese
  • Chili powder
  • Fresh Roma tomatoes
  • Cilantro

Ingredients for queso fundido

RECIPE FOR QUESO FUNDIDO

This Queso Fundido recipe is very versatile. Although using Mexican-style chorizo is super delicious, you can use any type of breakfast sausage. When using chorizo or a sausage that produces quite a bit of fat when cooked, I recommend draining off the excess liquid before adding in the cheese.

Queso fundido stovetop in a cast iron skillet.

HOW TO MAKE QUESO FUNDIDO

For today’s Queso Fundido I used a mix of Monterey Jack and Pepper Jack. When selecting a bell pepper, any color will do: green, orange, yellow or red.

  1. Preheat oven at 400 degrees F.
  2. In a small cast-iron skillet, brown chorizo or sausage over low/medium heat. When the sausage is almost done, add onion and bell pepper.
  3. When the meat is thoroughly cooked and the veggies are tender, fold in the fire-roasted chiles. Continue cooking for another two minutes, then remove from heat.
  4. Reserve a bit of cheese. Fold the rest into the sausage mixture. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
  5. Transfer the oven-safe skillet to the oven. Bake for 12 minutes, or until cheese has completely melted.
  6. Remove queso fundido from oven. Garnish with fresh cilantro and diced tomatoes.

Queso fundido recipe made with Mexican cheese.

QUESO FUNDIDO MEXICAN DIP

For added flavor, sprinkle chili pepper on top of the Queso Fundido before popping it into the oven. For a milder appetizer, substitute paprika for chili. If you enjoyed this fabulous Mexican dip, you’ll also love these crowd-pleasing Mexican appetizers:


KITCHEN TOOLS FOR QUESO FUNDIDO

These are the exact kitchen tools I use when making Queso Fundido! Like my grandmother, I use a traditional comal for warming tortillas. I often use a mix of corn and flour tortillas when serving this delicious Mexican dip.


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Queso Fundido


Description

Queso fundido is a melty, yummy Mexican dip that’s popular on both sides of the border! It’s quick and easy to make. Perfect for Taco Night. Serve with a basket of restaurant-style tortilla chips or freshly-warmed tortillas.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 pound breakfast sausage or Mexican chorizo
  • 2/3 cup onion  one small/medium onion), finely diced
  • 2/3 cup bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
  • 1 four-ounce can of diced green chiles
  • 1 pound grated cheese: Pepper Jack, Monterey Jack or Mozzarella
  • Sprinkling of chili powder or paprika (optional)
  • 23 Roma tomatoes, diced
  • 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
  • Tortilla chips or warm tortillas (corn or flour)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. In an 8-inch cast-iron skillet, brown sausage over low-medium heat. Midway through cooking add bell pepper and onion. Once the sausage is thoroughly cooked and the vegetables are tender, fold in the diced green chiles and continue cooking for another two minutes. Turn off the heat.
  3. Fold 3/4 of the cheese into the sausage mixture, then sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top.
  4. Transfer the cast-iron pan from stove-top to oven. Bake queso fundido for approximately 12 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  5. If using corn or flour tortillas, now is a great time to warm them on a comal or griddle.
  6. Remove queso fundido from the oven and quickly garnish with tomatoes and cilantro.
  7. Serve immediately with warm tortillas or corn chips.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Stovetop, Oven
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Keywords: queso fundido, queso fundido recipe

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QUESO FUNDIDO > PIN NOW FOR LATER

If you love this Mexican dip, pin it to Pinterest right now!

Queso Fundido garnished with fresh tomatoes and cilantro

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QUESO FUNDIDO > JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Have you tried queso fundido before? What type of Mexican appetizers do you enjoy most? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

22 thoughts on “Queso Fundido Mexican Dip”

  1. This would be a perfect appetizer for a party or movie night. It looks so warm and cheesy. Love it!!

    Reply
    • I can hardly wait for you to try this Mexican appetizer! It’s fantastic for parties because it’s so festive AND super easy to make. Thanks so much Kimberly for stopping by and leaving a comment. :-)

      Reply
  2. This not only looks incredible to eat your presentation is fantastic too! I love any and all Tillamook cheeses I have yet to try the pepper jack. Pinning this recipe too!

    Reply
    • Thanks so much Andrea for your sweet comment! Tillamook makes an awesome pepper Jack – I know you’ll really enjoy it. And thanks a million for pinning this Queso Fundido recipe to Pinterest. I really appreciate it!

      Reply
    • Thanks so much Lisa! I know this yummy Queso Fundido dip will quickly become a favorite for you, your family and friends! Many wishes of happiness for a wonderful week. :-)

      Reply
    • Yay! Patricia, I’m so happy you love this Queso Fundido recipe. If you enjoy just a tiny bit more spice and increased Mexican flavor, using Chorizo will kick things up a notch!

      Reply
  3. This queso looks so delicious! I love how you cooked it in the cast iron skillet too. I can’t wait to try this — queso always scares me to make but this looks so easy!

    Reply
    • Alicia, thanks so much for stopping by to visit me here on Confetti and Bliss. Using cast iron makes stovetop to oven easy! And as for aesthetics, cast iron makes this Mexican Queso Fundido appetizer look and feel very rustic and traditional. :-)

      Reply
  4. You always have the best recipes and they always make me hungry! This one is making my Texan heart so happy! I can’t wait to try it! Thanks!!! :)

    Reply
    • Aww…Samantha, I feel so honored that you love the recipes I share. We Californians and Texans know how to make the best border food ever! Have a great weekend. :-)

      Reply
    • Amanda, that sounds like such a great idea! Delicious Queso Fundido outside on the deck. If you’re getting really festive, blend up some frosty Margaritas. Salt the rims with a combination of Margarita salt and Mexican Tajin.

      Reply

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