Riddle me this? What on earth is better than ooey, gooey, melted cheese served with tortillas chips? Not much in my book. Hence why we should all dig into this crazy amazing Queso Fundido for the upcoming big game. Similar to my famous game day nachos and the jalapeño popper dip but different at the same time.
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
If I see a fancy queso on a menu, it’s almost guaranteed that it’s coming to our table. It’s one of my weaknesses and I can’t say no. It all ends up working out perfectly because my other weakness, guacamole, goes perfectly with this decadent dip!
During our last Palm Springs adventure we had the most sinfully delicious queso and I knew that it 100% had to be recreated at home. Loaded with poblano peppers and a handful of different cheeses, it made for the most epic appetizer and it would be perfection on top of a plate of nachos. The poblanos give the queso a subtle smokey finish and the variety of cheeses that I used melt perfectly! Loaded with Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack and Oaxaca cheeses, this queso fundido comes together perfectly!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Poblano Peppers
- Butter
- Yellow Onion
- Milk
- Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
- Shredded Oaxaca Cheese
- Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese
- Tortilla Chips
- Cilantro
How to Make Queso Fundido
Step 1: Place the poblano peppers on a sheet pan and broil, turning occasionally, until blackened on all sides, 6 to 8 minutes total.
Step 2: Heat the butter in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and roasted peppers and cook until onion is softened, about 5 minutes.
Step 3: Shred the various cheeses and top the onion and pepper mixture with the cheese. Add the milk and stir everything to combine.
Step 4: Fill a roasting pan or baking dish halfway up with hot water. Place the skillet inside of the water bath and transfer to the oven.
Tips & Tricks
I try to make recipes that are always really simple and require easy to find ingredients and equipment. Rarely do I ever call for a water bath but let me tell you - it really makes a difference in this recipe so don't skip it!! The water bath ensures an even cook for the cheese and keeps it from congealing!
FAQs
What is queso fundido?
Queso fundido is a delicious Mexican dish that translates to "melted cheese" in English. It's a very popular appetizer for any Mexican inspired meal!
What cheeses are in queso fundido?
Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, and Oaxaca cheese.
Similar Recipes
Queso Fundido
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 poblano peppers
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 cup shredded Oaxaca cheese
- 2 cups shredded Pepper Jack cheese
- Freshly fried tortilla chips for serving
- Cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Turn oven to broil.
- Place the poblano peppers on a sheet pan and cook directly under the broiler, turning occasionally, until blackened on all sides, 6 to 8 minutes total. Remove from the oven. Once cool enough to handle, chop and set aside, skin on. Alternatively, you can char the Poblano peppers over an open flame on the stove.
- Adjust oven to 425°F.
- Heat the butter in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and roasted peppers to the skillet and cook until onion is softened, about 5 minutes.
- Shred the various cheeses and top the onion and pepper mixture with the cheese. Add the milk and stir everything to combine.
- Fill a roasting pan or baking dish halfway up with hot water. Place the skillet inside of the water bath and transfer to the oven. Bake until the cheese is melted and gooey, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the skillet from the water bath and serve immediately with salsa, guacamole and fresh chips.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Photo by Matt Armendariz / Food Styling by Adam Pearson / Recipe from What’s Gaby Cooking
How did I miss this post!?? Yes, yes and yes. Also you are the cutest thing. ever.
Shut the front door!!!!! You are so adorable and that dip should be its own food group.
This is one little pot of cheesy goodness. Love it!
Um, we are shameless cheese eaters in my house--a habit I was working to reverse this week--until I saw this. yum. Insane. Love the smokiness. That did it for me.
I will be trying this soon!
Thank you for posting before the big game as you promised in your instagram comment to me! Will be making this on Sunday. I am a Seattlite so... Go Hawks:)
This is the definition of mouth-watering! And those roasted poblanos.....
So easy and so good!
This is the perfect snack for the Superbowl. Go Broncos!
I have never made this before, and don't know why because I love cheese!!!
Another great new thing to try! Thanks.
Gaby, queso is one of my weaknesses and I can’t say no either! I need to go find my skillet!
This queso fundido would make a great game day snack! Your pictures are making me smack my lips!
This looks so good but I have two questions: (1) You write, "Once cool enough to handle, chop and set aside." Does that mean you leave the charred skin on the peppers? (2) You write, "Place the baking dish inside of the water bath" but I assume you meant cast-iron pan since the baking dish may be acting as the water bath. I ask for clarification only because usually you would never submerge cast-iron in water for an extended period of time. Thanks!
Hi, Ellen. Watch the video for answers to your questions. She appears to chop the peppers with the skin on. She places the cast iron skillet in a dish with water. The video is very helpful.
Thanks Kay 🙂 xo
Hi! Was just wondering where I can find the video? I too am confused on the water bath part. Thanks 🙂
here you go! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-wQZ4Esdm0
Yum! There is nothing better! Looks amazing.
The recipe looks great but I have a question about the instructions. I understand that we are dealing with a cast iron skillet through step 6, but in step 7 it directs placing the baking dish in hot water. Is there a step omitted between steps 6 & 7? Was the cheese mixture transferred over to a baking dish. I only ask because I would not place my cast iron skillet in a hot water bath considering how easily they rust.