This queso fundido is an incredible dip consisting of melty cheese and spicy chorizo sausage. Serve it up for a Tex-Mex dinner, movie night, or party!
If you’ve never heard of queso fundido, let me introduce you to one of the most amazing party appetizers ever. It’s essentially just a ton of melted cheese with meaty chorizo thrown in — and if your mouth is watering just reading those words… MINE IS TOO.
This dip is truly a “Momsdish” — it’s one of my hacks whenever I’m hosting and need a last-minute appetizer because it only takes two ingredients and five minutes of prep. As long as you have the cheese and chorizo, you’re all set. And of course, it goes without saying that everyone loves it!
How To Make Queso Fundido
This queso fundido recipe is so easy and ready in just 15 minutes. If you’ve got your hands full with hosting like me, this is the perfect solution!
- Cook the chorizo: In a cast iron skillet over medium heat, break up the chorizo and cook it for 7-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat and set aside a few spoonfuls of the chorizo for topping.
- Add the cheese and bake: Sprinkle the shredded cheese on top of the chorizo and transfer the skillet to a 300°F oven. Bake the dish for 5 minutes, then remove it from the oven and top with the reserved chorizo and fresh cilantro.
Hot tip: To make queso fundido up to 24 hours in advance, prepare it up until the point of baking, then cover and refrigerate it. When you’re ready for melty perfection, pop it in the oven and bake as directed.
Tips for The Best Queso Fundido
Anyone — and I mean anyone — can make queso fundido. There’s no tricky techniques here, but a few simple tips can transform your dip into a raging crowdpleaser.
- Pick your favorite cheese. I love queso quesadilla because it has a mild flavor and melts soo smoothly, but if you can’t find it, use Monterey Jack, Muenster, mozzarella, or Asadero. Always buy block cheese and shred it yourself for the best texture.
- Adjust the spice levels to your preference. Mexican chorizo tends to be quite spicy, so if you’re sensitive to heat, choose a milder ground sausage.
- Add personalization. I like to keep it simple, but feel free to add in sautéed mushrooms, onions, peppers, or corn. For a fresh contrast, top the queso fundido with pickled jalapeños, guacamole, or pico de gallo.
- Bake just until the cheese is melted. Avoid overbaking, as this can give the cheese a chewy texture. It should only take about five minutes.
- Remember the chips for dipping! Sure, you can run to the store and pick up a bag of chips — but if you have tortillas laying around, I guarantee that making chips at home will be faster. Make them in the oven or in the air fryer!
Storage & Reheating
There’s nothing like bubbly hot queso fundido straight out of the oven, but the leftovers can absolutely still be enjoyed. They’ll make a great snack the next day!
- Storage: Allow the queso fundido to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to four days.
- Reheating: Reheat leftover queso fundido in an oven-safe skillet at 350°F until warm and melted.
Hot tip: Use the leftovers to make loaded air fryer baked potatoes or fries. Or, stuff them into tacos!
More Cheesy Appetizers
- Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry — Wonderfully flaky and reminiscent of European pastries
- Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers — Spicy jalapeños, cheddar and cream cheese, and bacon
- Baked Tiger Shrimp — Large shrimp stuffed with garlicky mayo and plenty of cheese
- Baked Brie in Puff Pastry — Sweet and nutty brie cheese paired with fig jam and buttery crust
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb Mexican chorizo Pork or Beef
- 20 oz queso quesadilla shredded
- 2 tbsp cilantro optional for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F. Heat a cast iron skillet on the stove over medium heat. Add the chorizo and cook for 7–8 minutes, or until it is fully cooked.
- Drain any excess fat from the skillet (pour it off or blot it with a paper towel). Set aside a few spoonfuls of the cooked chorizo for garnish.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the chorizo in the skillet.
- Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Carefully remove the skillet from the oven. Top the dish with the reserved chorizo and fresh cilantro and serve immediately. Enjoy!
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