Queso Fundido
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Are you celebrating today by drowning yourself in chips, salsa and guacamole? Maybe a margarita or two? All perfectly good options, I think. If you’re in a festive mood, but are unsure of what to make, check out my Cinco de Mayo roundup from last week, or… make queso fundido!
I can’t believe that it took until I was 33 years old to discover queso fundido. I mean, it’s a big pan of melted cheese with spicy sausage… How could this have not been on my radar sooner?
It so happened that Ree and Gaby made this within a week of each other prior to the Super Bowl this year and I became obsessed with it. Traditionally, this is actually a flambéed dish (fancy!), believe it or not. I found a ton of different variations on this dish, and I finally threw together my own spin, complete with spicy chorizo sausage, jalapeños, and three different types of cheese. Pile it all into a cast iron skillet, bake it, then dig into the ooey, gooey, spicy cheesiness.
Grab a big bag of chips… you’re going to need them! Cheers!
One year ago: Chocolate Pavlova with Mascarpone and Raspberries
Two years ago: Mint Julep Jello Shots
Three years ago: Margarita Cupcakes
Four years ago: Cinnamon Raisin Walnut Bread
Five years ago: Three Cheese Beer Bread
Queso Fundido
Ingredients
- 8 ounces (226.8 g) chorizo sausage, casings removed
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and finely chopped
- 8 ounces (226.8 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 ounces (113.4 g) Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 4 ounces (113.4 g) pepper jack cheese, shredded
- Cilantro, to garnish
- Tortilla chips, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- In a medium skillet, cook the chorizo over medium heat, breaking it up as it cooks, until completely browned. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the grease and add the onion and jalapeños to the pan and cook over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the sausage back to the pan, stirring to combine with the onion mixture.
- In an 8-inch cast iron skillet, place ¼ of the shredded cheese, then layer with one-third of of the sausage mixture. Repeat twice more, then top with the remaining shredded cheese. Place in the oven and bake until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly. (Be careful not to over-bake, as the cheese will become firm on top and it will be difficult to scoop it out with chips!) Sprinkle with cilantro and serve immediately with your favorite tortilla chips.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
Sorry, not only have I eaten Queso Fundido in Mexico, but that’s where I had it the very first time, almost thirty years ago. I believe you are incorrect to say this is “traditionally” flambeed because I have NEVER seen it flambeed. I serve it with tortillas instead of chips because that’s the way it was served in Mexico.
Wow, I don’t think I’ve had this before, either. Thanks for saving me from a life without queso fundido.
That quejo fundido looks so tasty and pretty!!
I’ve never had queso fundido but it certainly sounds like I’ve been missing out.
Made this recipe last night for Cinco de Mayo. Delicious! My hubby was in love -thank you for a great recipe.
I love the fact that this is so much better than the processed version! It looks incredible!
Happy Cinco de Mayo! This dip looks amazing, and I’d completely make a meal out of it with a cold margarita or Pacifico with lime. :)
Did you announce a winner in the Nature Box Giveaway?
Just made this! Easy and awesome! Thanks!
Ummm…I want to swim in this vat of cheese and meat! I’m doing a cleanse right now to eliminate food allergies, but the second I’m done…I’m celebrating, well I don’t knowI’ll make something up…but I’m making this and not sharing it with anyone! wow! This looks so yummy!
Thank you for sharing!
xo,
That Comfort Girl
If I could make one suggestion – switch out the sharp cheddar with mild cheddar; Its smoother texture will make for a creamier/less oily texture. It will also melt faster.
:) Mike
Wow–that looks so good. It’s only morning here and I just finished my cereal, but I would love to have some of that right now!! I am definitely putting this on my recipe “To Do” list for very soon–thanks so much for sharing :)l
Would rather have it with hamburger meat.
That dip with the melty gooey cheese shot…I want the whole thing right now! Pinned!
Fabulous! I’m a huge fan of chorizo – I think it just has so much flavor that it rarely disappoints. I think it would be so wonderful in this cheese dip!
Hi, I am not sure that means Queso Fundito but if you intention was say it in Spanish is “Queso Fundido” ;)
I was going to post the same thing.
Feliz DÃa :D
I read once that the two things that women absolutely can’t resist are chocolate and cheese.
And when I look at the dip, I know exactly why that is!
Getting my Cinco de Mayo party hat out right now =)
Queso. That is all I needed to hear;)
Ooooh, I can’t think of many ways I’d like to celebrate Cinco de Mayo more than eating as much cheese as humanly possible and indulging in chorizo. This looks incredible!
Great recipe – thanks for sharing! This may sound silly but what is Cinco de Mayo?
Hi Anisa, May 5th is celebrated in the U.S. and Mexico and is related to both the American Civil War and a battle related to the French occupation of Mexico. You can get the full background here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo
YUM. This looks incredible!!