Jalapeno Spinach Queso

Jalapeño Spinach Queso dip is a party perfect game day recipe! A hot, cheesy dip assembled in one pan with a little spicy kick.

You can’t watch football without plenty of snacks. After eating this spicy queso, dig into these Oatmeal Cream Pie Footballs for dessert!

Jalapeno Spinach Queso Dip #gameday #cheese #snack #recipe #queso #thesimplekitchen


Why this Queso is Best

  • Jalapeño and spinach are a genius addition to classic queso.
  • This dip has just the right amount of spicy heat.
  • It’s cheesy, hearty and tastes amazing with everything from tortilla chips to rolls.
  • Made from scratch in ONE pan! It doesn’t get any easier.

This awesome recipe came from my friend’s Donna and Chad, from The Slow Roasted Italian and the book, The Simple Kitchen.

Queso is a Mexican-style hot cheese dip, not unlike fondue, but even thicker and creamier. If you’ve never tried making your own queso dip from scratch, NOW is the time.

You’ll be amazed at how easy it is!

Obviously, the easier the better, right? Like a bowl of delicious Guacamole. I also like something a little heartier, and my go-to dish is this Italian Beef Ring, it’s loved by all!

The kids love this Bacon Cheeseburger Braid (well, actually so do the adults). Why not make it all for a big game day feast?

Jalapeno Spinach Queso Dip #gameday #cheese #snack #recipe #queso #thesimplekitchen

Ingredient Notes

Here’s what you need to make the best jalapeño spinach queso.

  • Unsalted Butter – It gives you more control over the saltiness of the finished dip, compared to salted butter.
  • Onion – I use white onion, diced small.
  • Jalapeños – Remove the seeds to keep the flavors balanced in this queso recipe.
  • Flour – thickens the queso to a perfect consistency.
  • Whole Milk – for creamiest flavor.
  • Shredded pepper jack cheese – Use a block of cheese, freshly shredded. It melts quicker and smoother than store bought shredded cheese!
  • Frozen spinach – Thaw and squeeze out the water with paper towels.
  • Roma tomato – for topping the finished queso with fresh, juicy flavor and color.

Tips and Tricks

Like all queso recipes, this dip is best served warm. Go ahead and dig in right away!

The queso will get firmer as it cools. If this happens, just reheat in the microwave, stir and serve. You can also keep it warm in your slow cooker on low and enjoy it throughout the day.

Wondering what to serve with queso?

Serve this cheesy Jalapeno Spinach Queso with your favorite dippers like tortilla chips and crackers. Or make a batch of homemade dinner rolls for dipping!

We didn’t have time to bake our own, so we just picked up some pretzel rolls from the grocery store and cut them up to dip. OMG such a great side to this dip! Try it yourself!

Recipe FAQs

What kind of cheese is best for queso?

This recipe uses pepper jack cheese. It has a nice balance of mild and tangy flavor!

Can I use a different kind of cheese?

You sure can. Sharp cheddar and monterrey cheeses are both delicious for queso.
Or substitute your favorite shredded Mexican cheese blend. It’ll come out tasting great either way.

How can I make it less spicy or spicier?

For a milder jalapeño queso, use less jalapeño. For a spicier dip, add another half of a jalapeño or sprinkle in a few red pepper flakes before serving.

Can I use fresh spinach instead?

Absolutely! If using fresh spinach, add it in the last couple of minutes of cooking time. Stir until spinach is wilted.

How do I store it?

Believe me, there won’t be one bite leftover when this spinach queso is on the menu! If you do manage to not eat the whole batch, store leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator.
Reheat before enjoying.

Jalapeno Spinach Queso Dip #gameday #cheese #snack #recipe #queso #thesimplekitchen

More Easy Appetizer Recipes

Jalapeno Spinach Queso

4.82 from 16 votes
By: Aimee
This warm, cheesy Jalapeno Spinach Queso dip is the perfect game day recipe! Easy to assemble in one pan, making this dip "party perfect."
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients 

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup onion diced small
  • 2 jalapeno peppers seeded and diced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 4 cups shredded Pepper Jack cheese
  • 2 ounce frozen spinach thawed and squeezed dry
  • 1 roma tomato diced
Save this Recipe?
Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe straight to your inbox!

Instructions 

  • In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, jalapeno, and salt. Cook until onions are softened, about 3 or 4 minutes.
  • Sprinkle flour over mixture and cook for about one minutes, until thick and evenly coated. Slowly add the milk and cook, stirring until bubbly.
  • Remove from heat and stir in cheese until smooth and melted. Add in spinach and tomatoes and serve warm! We like ours with chips and/or pretzel buns.

Notes

  • Like all queso recipes, this dip is best served warm. Go ahead and dig in right away!
  • The queso will get firmer as it cools. If this happens, just reheat in the microwave, stir and serve. You can also keep it warm in your slow cooker on low and enjoy it throughout the day.
  • Recipe from The Simple Kitchen cookbook, printed with permission.
  • See blog post for more recipe tips and tricks.

Nutrition

Calories: 339kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 18g, Fat: 26g, Saturated Fat: 16g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 76mg, Sodium: 559mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 4g
Course: Appetizers
Cuisine: American
Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!

Queso with jalapeño and spinach might just be the most flavorful easy cheese dip ever!



Avatar photo

About Aimee

Aimee is a dessert lover (specifically rice krispie treats), workout enthusiast, self-taught foodie, and recipe creator.

Learn more about Aimee.

Affiliate Disclosure:**There may be affiliate links in this post! By clicking on them, or purchasing recommended items I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I love! Thank you for supporting Shugary Sweets! See my disclosure policy for more info**

Learn How To Become a Better Home Baker
Sign up for the Shugary Sweets FREE Email Course Today—soon you’ll say, "I made it from scratch!"

Categories:


Posted on January 31, 2018

Comments & Reviews

  1. This dip sounds like it’s super flavorful. It would be perfect for the upcoming holiday entertaining season.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating