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Easy Game Day Queso with Ground Beef and Rotel

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This creamy, savory queso dip combines ground beef, Rotel tomatoes, and a perfect blend of Velveeta and cheddar cheese for a crowd-pleasing game day appetizer. Ready in about 20 minutes, it’s the ultimate party food that stays warm in a slow cooker.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 works best)
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (10-ounce) can Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
  • 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 (16-ounce) block Velveeta cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded (about 2 cups)
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Tortilla chips for serving
  • Optional toppings: fresh cilantro, diced jalapeños, sliced green onions, pickled red onions, sour cream

Instructions

  1. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, breaking it apart, until browned and cooked through (6-8 minutes). Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels; pour off all but 1 tablespoon of fat.
  2. Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion to the pan and cook until soft and translucent (4-5 minutes). Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Pour in undrained Rotel tomatoes and cream of mushroom soup. Stir, scraping up browned bits. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low (about 2 minutes).
  4. Add cubed Velveeta a handful at a time, stirring constantly in a figure-eight motion, letting each addition almost fully melt before adding the next (5-7 minutes).
  5. Gradually sprinkle in shredded cheddar cheese while stirring continuously until fully melted and smooth (3-4 minutes).
  6. Stir in chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Return cooked ground beef to the pan and stir until combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Serve immediately or transfer to a slow cooker set to warm. If queso thickens, thin with a splash of milk or warm water.

Notes

Use freshly shredded cheddar, not pre-shredded, to avoid graininess. Melt cheese over low heat and stir constantly to prevent separation. The cream of mushroom soup acts as a stabilizer for smooth texture. For make-ahead, prepare up to step 6, cool, and refrigerate for up to 3 days; reheat gently with a splash of milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: queso, ground beef, rotel, game day, dip, appetizer, party food, cheese dip

Find it online: https://lyrafeast.com/easy-game-day-queso-with-ground-beef-and-rotel/