
Queso Fundido means “molten cheese” in Spanish. This appetizer is super cheesy, full of flavor and super delicious. It consists of baked cheese that’s mixed with softened onions, garlic and peppers. Serve it with crispy chips and a margarita! Yum!
I love a good queso fundido. It’s the simplest, most delicious appetizer that couldn’t be easier to throw together.
Why is this recipe for Queso Fundido fire!
I mean, it’s not a tough sell when there’s melted cheese involved. This recipe is super easy to throw together. And it’s kinda flexible; use chorizo, or use soyrizo (the vegetarian alternative). You can either use diced pepper pepper, 1 jalapeño (if you’re into spice) OR you can use canned green chilies (that’s what I used).

How to Make Queso Fundido
- Cook the soyrizo or chorizo. In an oven-proof skillet, remove the sausage from its casing and break it up with a spatula. Cook it until cooked and fragrant, about 4 minutes. Remove it from the skillet and set it aside.
- Cook the onions and garlic. Add a few more teaspoons of oil to the skillet and then pour in the onions, garlic and a pinch of salt. And then add the peppers.
- Add the chorizo/soyrizo back to the skillet. And mix everything together, placing it in one even layer.
- Pour the cheese on top. And spread it out into an even layer.
- Add the milk and give it a gentle mix.
- Transfer to the oven to bake. This bakes in about 5 minutes so be sure to get your toppings together quickly.
- Once it comes out of the oven, top it with the remaining chorizo/soyrizo, some sliced avocado and a sprinkling of cilantro. Yum!

Tips and Tricks
- Use blocks of cheese vs. pre-shredded cheese. Cheese that is pre-shredded usually is coated in stabilizers in order to prevent clumping. I find that blocks of cheese results in a much cheesier queso fundido.
- To shred cheese quickly, use a food processor with the cheese grater insert. It grates in literally under 1 minute. It’s amazing. Of course, if you don’t own a food processor, you can use a box grater, too.
- This recipe goes so quickly, especially toward the end, so be sure to have all of your toppings, drinks and chips prepped and ready.

If you make this recipe, let me know on Instagram or leave a comment below!
Looking for more fun recipes to make? Here are some favorites:
- Strawberry Shortcake Biscuits
- Best Caesar Salad
- Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
- Pigs in a Blanket
- Acorn Squash Queso Fundido
- Birria Tacos


Queso Fundido
Ingredients
Olive oil
- 6 ounces soyrizo OR pork chorizo removed from casing
- 1/4 cup red onion peeled and minced
- 4 garlic cloves peeled and minced
- 1/4 canned green chiles chopped (OR 1/2 green bell pepper, diced)
- 8 ounces monterey jack cheese shredded
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese shredded
- 3 tablespoons milk optional
Garnish:
- 1/2 avocado sliced
- 1 handful cilantro roughly chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- To a skillet, set over medium heat, cook the soyrizo or chorizo, breaking it up into crumbles until cooked and fragrant. Remove all of it and transfer it to a small bowl. If needed, add a teaspoon or two of olive oil. Next, add the diced red onion and minced garlic to the skillet; add a pinch of salt and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add most of the chorizo/soyrizo back to the skillet (reserving about 1/4 cup for the topping) to the skillet. Mix it all up and spread it into an even layer.
- Pour in the shredded cheese and milk. Give it a loose mix and spread it into an even layer.
- Transfer to the oven to bake for 5 to 7 minutes, until cheesy and melty.
- When it comes out of the oven, top it with the remaining chorizo/soyrizo, avocado and sprinkling of cilantro. Serve with chips.
Notes
- Use blocks of cheese vs. pre-shredded cheese. Cheese that is pre-shredded usually is coated in stabilizers in order to prevent clumping. I find that blocks of cheese results in a much cheesier queso fundido.
- To shred cheese quickly, use a food processor with the cheese grater insert. It grates in literally under 1 minute. It’s amazing. Of course, if you don’t own a food processor, you can use a box grater, too.
This looks amazing! I make queso really similar to this one but have never fried my own tortilla chips. That will be happening ASAP. Thanks for the tip!
xx Kait
I cannot NOT make this. Looks INSANE!
LOVE queso fundido (minus the meat) and I’m lactose intolerant! This is a great snack for the Superbowl 🙂
I’m not even from the US and I’m kinda excited over the many game snack recipes popping up all over the internet. This cheese fondue thing is right up my alley. I’m not sure we can get Jack cheese here. Is mozzarella a viable substitution?
Mozzarella would be a great substitute! It’s all about using a cheese that’s melty and stringy. 🙂
I definitely don’t care for football (I’m only into the Super Bowl for the food + commercials + Beyonce), but it’s kind of impossible to avoid it in Norcal since the 49ers are in it this year!
I love love love chorizo. And cheese. So I’m with you on the whole this-should-be-lunch thing 🙂
The only reason I’m going to my parents’ for the ‘bowl is the food. I won’t even look at the TV, I’m sure. Too busy gorging.
I’ve had your pretzel tots bookmarked forever. I should definitely make them!
I STILL don’t know who is playing in the Super Bowl! BUT I do know that I want to eat this queso!
People know who’s playing at the Super Bowl?? I wouldn’t know except for living in the bay area, and even then, I don’t know who the 49ers are playing…so. In any case, chorizo and melty cheese with chips sound like a perfect snack!
Oh girl, I hear you on not being in the loop about the Super Bowl – I asked my hubby a couple days ago if he wanted to think about having a party for the Super Bowl and he laughed and pointed out that its THIS WEEKEND. DUOH! I only thought about it coming up because I was stoked about the foods that accompany the parties – all about the social aspect of the occasion!
This looks incredible by the way! I made something like this for my Mexican Fiesta-themed New Years party, but your recipe looks to be a little easier and a lot more gooey than the one I used. Oh, and I totally admire you for eating the pot of it while standing at the stove. You’re a girl after my own heart <3 🙂
I only realized the Super Bowl was happening when my dad invited me to watch it with him last week… While I cannot understand football, I go for the tasty food. We have the traditional superbowl food (chili, cornbread, beer) but we also have some not-so-traditional foods (foie gras, prosciutto, ciabatta).
Maybe I’ll make this and bring it over, just so I can have some!
This recipe sounds yummy! I have grown to love avocados over the past year, so every time I see them I get excited. Seeing cheese also makes me very happy…put the two together and I’m sold!
I now have a reason to watch the Super Bowl. Although I would much rather eat the whole bowl in the privacy of my own bed watching trashy reality tv marathons.
That looks belly satisfying. Adding this to my menu, pronto! Thanks
A restaurant in town has the best queso fundido that looks exactly like this, so I must try it!
I have made something similar to this before and it was a huge hit!!! Yours looks amazing!