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Easy Crowd-Pleasing Crockpot Queso Dip for Game Day

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This creamy, spicy queso dip is made in a slow cooker with Velveeta, cream cheese, pepper jack, and Ro-Tel tomatoes. It’s the perfect game day appetizer that stays warm for hours and disappears before the first quarter ends.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (16 oz) Velveeta cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 8 oz (1 block) cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes
  • 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
  • 1 can (10 oz) Ro-Tel Original diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
  • 1 can (10 oz) Ro-Tel Mild diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
  • 1/2 cup whole milk or half-and-half
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Salt to taste
  • 1/2 cup cooked chorizo or ground beef (optional)
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced (optional)
  • 1/2 cup black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
  • 1/4 cup pickled jalapeños (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep your cheeses: Cut the Velveeta into 1-inch cubes. Cut the cream cheese into similar-sized cubes. Shred the pepper jack if you bought it in block form.
  2. Combine in the crockpot: Add the cubed Velveeta, cream cheese, and shredded pepper jack to the crockpot. Pour both cans of undrained Ro-Tel over the top. Add the milk or half-and-half.
  3. Add the seasonings: In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne (if using). Sprinkle this evenly over the ingredients in the crockpot.
  4. Cook on low: Set your crockpot to LOW. Cover and let it cook for 1.5 to 2 hours. Resist the urge to lift the lid and stir every 10 minutes.
  5. Stir halfway through: After about 45 minutes, give the dip a good stir. Scrape the sides and fold everything together. Cover and continue cooking.
  6. Final stir and adjust: After 1.5 hours, stir the queso thoroughly. It should be smooth, creamy, and uniform in color. If it’s too thick, stir in an extra 1/4 cup of milk. If it’s too thin, let it cook uncovered for 15-20 minutes to thicken.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning: Dip a chip in and taste. Add salt if needed. If you want more heat, stir in some diced jalapeño or a dash of hot sauce.
  8. Keep warm on low: Switch the crockpot to the WARM setting. This dip will stay perfect for hours. If it starts to thicken as it sits, just stir in a splash of milk to loosen it up.

Notes

For best results, use low heat and avoid pre-shredded cheeses with anti-caking agents. The cream cheese should be at room temperature for smooth melting. This dip can be made up to 2 days ahead and reheated. Do not freeze.

Nutrition

Keywords: queso dip, crockpot queso, game day dip, slow cooker queso, Velveeta dip, cheese dip, party appetizer

Find it online: https://lenatable.com/easy-crowd-pleasing-crockpot-queso-dip-for-game-day/