4.9 from 492 votes
5-Ingredient Queso (so easy!)
This 5-Ingredient Queso is a creamy cheese sauce made by melting shredded pepper jack cheese into evaporated milk thickened with cornstarch and seasoned with onion and garlic powders and salt. The melted cheese sauce yields a smooth texture with mild spice from the pepper jack, suitable for dipping tortilla chips or as a topping.
Prep Time
1 min
Cook Time
4 mins
Total Time
5 mins
Servings:
8
servings
Calories:
168 kcal
Course:
Appetizer
Cuisine:
Mexican
Ingredients
- 12 ounces evaporated milk
- 1 Tablespoon corn starch reduce to 3/4 TBSP for a thinner sauce
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼-½ teaspoon garlic powder see note
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt more or less to taste
- 8 ounces pepper jack cheese freshly shredded
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, whisk together evaporated milk, corn starch, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt until combined. Start with half the salt amount if you'd like, adding the rest to taste.
- Bring just to a light simmer (don’t boil!) for 1-2 minutes while frequently stirring.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in the shredded cheese in batches, allowing each addition to melt completely. Keep stirring to ensure the cheese melts smoothly and the dip remains a consistent temperature. Taste test, adding additional salt as needed. If adding diced chiles or tomatoes, you can stir them in now, or transfer the dip to a serving dish and garnish as desired. Enjoy with tortilla chips.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Adjust garlic powder to 1/4 teaspoon for a milder cheese flavor, or use 1/2 teaspoon to maintain the original taste.
- Store leftover queso in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days and reheat gently by microwave or stovetop while stirring frequently.
Nutrition Information
Calories
168kcal
(8%)
Carbohydrates
6g
(2%)
Protein
10g
(20%)
Fat
12g
(18%)
Saturated Fat
7g
(35%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Cholesterol
38mg
(13%)
Sodium
361mg
(15%)
Potassium
155mg
(3%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
320IU
(6%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
323mg
(32%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 168
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 168kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 6g | 2% |
| Protein | 10g | 20% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 38mg | 13% |
| Sodium | 361mg | 15% |
| Potassium | 155mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 320IU | 6% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 323mg | 32% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.