Description
A creamy, cheesy spinach queso with a golden crunch from crispy jalapeños, perfect for dipping with tortilla chips or topping nachos, bursting with flavor in every bite
Ingredients
- Chopped Spinach: 1 cup (frozen or fresh, well-drained)
- Cream Cheese: 8 oz
- Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese: 1 ½ cups
- Diced Tomatoes with Green Chiles (canned): 1 cup, drained
- Whole Milk: ¾ cup
- Diced Jalapeños: 2 fresh jalapeños, thinly sliced
- Garlic Powder: ½ teaspoon
- Onion Powder: ½ teaspoon
- Salt: ½ teaspoon
- Black Pepper: ¼ teaspoon
- Butter: 2 tablespoons
- Cornstarch: 1 tablespoon
- Fresh Cilantro: 2 tablespoons, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat a medium saucepan over medium heat and prepare a small frying pan for the jalapeños.
- Melt butter in the saucepan, whisk in cornstarch until smooth, then slowly add milk while whisking.
- Add cream cheese and stir until melted, then fold in shredded Monterey Jack cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Stir in chopped spinach and diced tomatoes with green chiles and let simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- In the frying pan, heat a small amount of oil and fry jalapeño slices until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- Pour the queso into a serving bowl or skillet and top with crispy jalapeños and fresh cilantro.
- Serve immediately with tortilla chips or preferred dippers.
Notes
- Use block cheese instead of pre-shredded for better melting.
- Drain spinach thoroughly to avoid watery queso.
- Stir constantly when melting cheese to prevent separation.
- Fry jalapeños just before serving for maximum crunch.
- Optional: Add a splash of lime juice for brightness or extra heat with cayenne.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Spinach Queso, Jalapeño Queso, Cheesy Dip, Tex-Mex Dip, Party Dip, Appetizer, Creamy Spinach Dip