Easy Spinach Con Queso
Creamy and flavorful spinach con queso with melted cheese, pimientos, and onions, perfect for sharing with tortilla chips at gatherings or as a snack.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place spinach between paper towels and squeeze until barely moist.
- Set spinach aside.
- Combine cheese, milk, onion, and pimiento in the top of a double boiler; bring water to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low; cook until cheese melts.
- Add spinach and diced tomato, stirring well.
- Serve warm with tortilla chips.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, consider adding a pinch of garlic powder or cumin to the cheese mixture. If you don't have process cheese, a combination of cream cheese and cheddar can work as a substitute. For a healthier twist, swap half the cheese with Greek yogurt. Make sure to squeeze out excess moisture from the spinach thoroughly to avoid a watery dip.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Easy Spinach Con Queso warm with tortilla chips for dipping. It pairs beautifully with Best Ever Nachos and makes a great appetizer for gatherings. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside a fresh salad or as a side with your favorite Mexican recipes.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, warm it gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently until heated through. You can also microwave it in increments of 30 seconds, stirring in between, to avoid overheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Easy Spinach Con Queso contains roughly 465 calories, with 14g protein, 47g carbohydrates, and 25g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (52% of the Daily Value), calcium (38% of the Daily Value), and vitamin A (29% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1171mg per serving (51% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen?
Yes, you can use fresh spinach! Just sauté about 10 ounces of fresh spinach in a little olive oil until wilted, then squeeze out the excess moisture before adding it to the cheese mixture.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this Easy Spinach Con Queso is vegetarian-friendly as it contains no meat. Just ensure that the process cheese used does not contain any animal rennet if you're looking for a vegetarian option.
Can I make this dip ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dip in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just reheat gently before serving to ensure it’s warm and melty. This makes it a convenient option for parties or game day snacks!
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).