Queso Dip Ground Beef Peppers (Printable)
Creamy blend with ground beef, cheddar, Monterey Jack, and diced peppers for a flavorful dip.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
03 - 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
04 - 1 green bell pepper, finely diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1–2 jalapeño peppers, deseeded and finely chopped
→ Spices
07 - 1 tsp ground cumin
08 - 1 tsp chili powder
09 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
10 - ½ tsp salt
11 - ¼ tsp black pepper
→ Dairy
12 - 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
13 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
14 - 8 oz cream cheese, cubed and softened
15 - 1 cup whole milk
→ Garnish
16 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
17 - 1 small tomato, diced
18 - Sliced green onions
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add the diced onion, red and green bell peppers, and jalapeño to the skillet. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until vegetables are softened.
03 - Stir in the minced garlic, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Reduce heat to medium-low. Add the cream cheese cubes and milk, stirring constantly until the cream cheese is melted and the mixture is smooth.
05 - Gradually add the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, stirring constantly until fully melted and the dip reaches a creamy consistency.
06 - Keep the dip warm over low heat or transfer to a slow cooker set to warm setting for serving.
07 - Top with chopped cilantro, diced tomato, and green onions if desired. Serve hot with tortilla chips, sliced vegetables, or bread.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The combination of sharp cheddar and creamy Monterey Jack creates the kind of velvety texture that makes people hover around the serving dish.
- Ground beef transforms this from a simple cheese dip into something substantial enough to be the star of your party spread.
- The sweet bell peppers add a fresh crunch that balances the rich, cheesy base perfectly.
02 -
- The dip will continue to thicken as it sits, so keep that extra cup of milk handy to thin it back down throughout your party.
- Grating your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded makes a significant difference in how smoothly it melts.
- If the dip starts to separate or look oily, remove it from the heat and whisk vigorously to bring it back together.
03 -
- Low and slow heat prevents the cheese from separating and keeps the texture silky smooth throughout serving.
- Room temperature cream cheese incorporates much faster, preventing those frustrating lumps that take forever to melt.