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.
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
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.
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.
- Preheat oven at 400 degrees F.
- 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.
- 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.
- Reserve a bit of cheese. Fold the rest into the sausage mixture. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
- Transfer the oven-safe skillet to the oven. Bake for 12 minutes, or until cheese has completely melted.
- Remove queso fundido from oven. Garnish with fresh cilantro and diced tomatoes.
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:
- ROTEL BEAN DIP
- MARGARITA FRUIT DIP
- CHEESY CAPRESE QUESO DIP
- AUTHENTIC MEXICAN GUACAMOLE
- 7-LAYER DIP
- FIESTA TACO DIP
- CHEESY BACON RANCH DIP
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.
- Lodge 8-inch cast-iron skillet
- Wooden spatula
- Cheese grater
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Comal
- Tortilla warmer
Queso Fundido
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
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
- 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)
- 2–3 Roma tomatoes, diced
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- Tortilla chips or warm tortillas (corn or flour)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- 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.
- Fold 3/4 of the cheese into the sausage mixture, then sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top.
- Transfer the cast-iron pan from stove-top to oven. Bake queso fundido for approximately 12 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- If using corn or flour tortillas, now is a great time to warm them on a comal or griddle.
- Remove queso fundido from the oven and quickly garnish with tomatoes and cilantro.
- 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
QUESO FUNDIDO > PIN NOW FOR LATER
If you love this Mexican dip, pin it to Pinterest right now!
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!
This would be a perfect appetizer for a party or movie night. It looks so warm and cheesy. Love it!!
★★★★★
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. :-)
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!
★★★★★
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!
Yum – I like queso fundido at mexican restaurants, but I’ve never made it. This sounds amazing!
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. :-)
This look sooo good! I haven’t had this in so long, so I’m glad to see your recipe. I like that you’ve added sausage to make it hearty!
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!
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!
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. :-)
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!!! :)
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. :-)
Oh wow! This looks like it would be a perfect treat on the deck with LOTS of nachos :)
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.
Can’t wait to try this with chorizo!
Mike, it will be super good! Try serving it with warm corn or flour tortillas. Enjoy!
This looks so heavenly! I can’t wait to give it a try!
xx, Taylor (thesprinkle.tayloramead.com)
Taylor, I’m so happy you found my Queso Fundido recipe! Many good wishes for a great weekend. :-)
Good thing I haven’t gone to the store yet, today. Now I can get the ingredients to make this awesome appetizer.
Hello Quinn, I hope you have a super fun weekend! Whenever I make this Queso Fundido recipe it’s like a fiesta in my kitchen.
Yum! I could have used this recipe for my Cinco de Mayo dinner party.
Lynn, thanks for stopping by! I’m glad you discovered this versatile Queso Fundido recipe. :-)