Spice up game day with this spicy Velveeta queso dip! Homemade sofrito is combined with onions, peppers, black beans, and Velveeta cheese to make the ultimate zesty, gooey, cheesy dip. No matter where it’s served, it’ll be a huge hit!

a person dipping a tortilla into a bowl of soup.

Here at The Cheese Knees, we’re no stranger to leveling up your average queso dip! We’ve made everything from Cotija Queso to Elote Queso, but this time we wanted to crank up the heat for all you spice lovers out there. We also added our not-so-secret ingredient, Velveeta cheese! Combined, it’s HEAVEN in a bowl.

What is in spicy Velveeta queso dip?

White onion: adds a mild sweetness and flavor to the sofrito
Chipotle pepper: chipotle gives the sofrito a smoky, earthy flavor
Red bell pepper: this veggie is used in both the sofrito and is cooked into the Velveeta dip.
Roma tomatoes: tomatoes are a classic ingredient for sofrito. We like the taste of Roma tomatoes best.
Garlic: everything tastes better with garlic!
Cilantro: gives the sofrito a bright and fresh flavor.
Jalapeño: fresh jalapeños are used for a spicy kick!
Canned black beans: we used canned, but feel free to use cooked beans for a more authentic version.
Velveeta cheese: the best easy melty cheese for queso dip!
Fresh lime juice: brightens up the dip and adds an acidic flavor.

a table with bowls of food and a carton of velveeta.

What is Sofrito?

A sofrito is an aromatic blend of vegetables, herbs, and spices used to flavor beans, fish, meats, rice, and stews. Our sofrito is a blend of onion, peppers, tomatoes, garlic, and cilantro.

You can cook some sofrito to eat as a stew or use it as a richly seasoned base for soups and sauces. It can be made in large batches and then divvied up and frozen for future use.

What is traditional sofrito?

There are several versions of sofrito, as the dish comes from many different regions and countries like Spain, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. Even though our sofrito is not an authentic recipe, it is our unique take on the classic dish!

A person dipping a tortilla chip into a bowl of cheese dip.

try it!

15-Minute Velveeta Queso

Looking for our quickest and easiest queso dip? It’s time to make our 15-Minute Velveeta Queso — it’s an amazing alternative when you’re short on time.

get recipe

a blender filled with lots of fresh vegetables.

Serve in the slow cooker to keep warm!

This spicy Velveeta queso dip is best served warm and gooey. As it sits, the cheese will start to thicken, so we recommend transferring it into a slow cooker and serving on warm or low to keep it melty.

Substitutions & Variations

Add protein: If you want to add meat to this recipe, we recommend ½ – 1 lb. of ground chorizo.

Peppers: Instead of jalapeños, you can use any other type of pepper like serrano, poblano, or green chiles.

Cheese: If you want to switch up the cheese, try adding ¼ cup of Monterrey Jack or queso fresco.

a hand dipping a tortilla chip into a bowl of tortilla soup.

Storage

Store any leftover spicy Velveeta queso in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

to reheat

We recommend reheating this Velveeta queso just like you cooked it — on the stovetop.

Transfer it back into a medium saucepan.
Turn the heat to medium/low and stir as the cheese melts.
Add a little bit of milk to thin things out.

Microwave Instructions: if you’d like to reheat in the microwave, transfer the queso into a microwave-safe bowl. Add a little milk and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Stir and continue microwaving until warm.

a person dipping a tortilla chip into a bowl of salsa.

Serving Suggestions

Of course, this spicy Velveeta queso is fantastic served with tortilla chips or used as a topping for nachos and tacos.

If you’re feeling adventurous, try mixing it in your favorite macaroni and cheese recipe for an extra cheesy kick! You can also use it as a dip for veggies or warmed up and poured over enchiladas and burritos.

a hand dipping a tortilla chip into a bowl of quesadilla.

Spicy Velveeta Queso

Spice up game day with this spicy Velveeta queso dip! Homemade sofrito is combined with onions, peppers, black beans, and Velveeta cheese to make the ultimate cheesy dip.

Prep:15

Cook:15

Total:30

Fat 8

Carbs 19

Protein 15

Yield:

Ingredients

Sofrito

¼ white onion
1 dried chipotle pepper
½ red bell pepper
2 Roma tomatoes
3 cloves garlic peeled
½ bunch fresh cilantro ~1 cup
1 jalapeno seeded
1 teaspoon salt

Dip

1 tablespoon avocado oil
¼ medium white onion diced
½ medium red bell pepper diced
15 oz. canned black beans rinsed and drained
16 oz. Velveeta cheese cubed
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
½ cup cilantro minced

Instructions

Place all of the ingredients for the sofrito into a food processor. Blend until a mostly smooth consistency has been reached — about 2-3 minutes.
Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onions and peppers and cook for 4-5 minutes. Add 1 cup of sofrito and the black beans and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Next, reduce the heat to low and add the Velveeta cheese. Stir occasionally while the cheese melts. Once it has completely melted mix in the lime juice.
Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with chips or tortillas.

Tips & Notes

The sofrito recipe yields roughly 2.5 cups
There are variations of sofrito. This isn’t necessarily an authentic recipe but our spin on it.
If you want to add meat to this recipe, we recommend ½ – 1 lb. of ground chorizo.