Queso Fundido (Mexican Melted Cheese)

Queso fundido means melted cheese, and that’s the heart of it: a skillet of hot, stretchy cheese over spicy chorizo, onion and peppers, scooped up with chips or warm tortillas.

Unlike smooth, pourable queso dip, this one is thick and stringy, more like the top of a pizza. Half a pound of chorizo and a block of cheese make an appetizer for eight.

It goes from stove to oven to table in about 25 minutes. Serve it right away, while the cheese is still molten.

Ingredients and Swaps

• Chorizo: Fresh Mexican chorizo, the raw kind sold in a casing or tube, not cured Spanish chorizo. Breakfast sausage with ½ teaspoon of chili powder is a workable substitute.
• Cheese: Oaxaca is traditional and melts into long strings. Monterey Jack is the easiest substitute and usually costs less. A little mozzarella adds stretch.
• Pepper: Poblano has a mild, earthy heat. Bell pepper is milder still.
• Vegetarian option: Leave out the chorizo and cook sliced mushrooms with the onion and pepper.

Tips for Perfect Queso Fundido

• Shred the cheese yourself. Bagged shreds have a coating that keeps them from melting smoothly.
• Drain the chorizo. It gives off a lot of orange fat. Spoon off most of it so the dip isn’t greasy.
• Use a small, oven-safe skillet. A cast iron pan holds heat and keeps the cheese melted longer at the table.
• Serve at once. The cheese firms up as it cools. If that happens, return it to the oven for a few minutes.

Prices are from Walmart’s and ALDI’s websites for stores in Columbus, Ohio, checked in October 2026. Ohio’s grocery prices are within about 1% of the national average, so you may pay more or less depending on where you live, and prices change often. Here’s how we price our recipes.

Cost: Ingredients – $4.93 from Walmart, $4.67 from ALDI · Per Serving – $0.58 to $0.62

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Queso Fundido (Mexican Melted Cheese)

A rich, gooey melted cheese dip with chorizo and peppers, perfect for game day, parties, or casual entertaining.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 8 oz Mexican chorizo casing removed
• 1 small onion finely chopped
• 1 small poblano or bell pepper diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 8 oz Oaxaca or Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika optional
• Fresh cilantro for garnish
• Tortilla chips or warm tortillas for serving

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook chorizo until browned and cooked through, breaking into small pieces.
3. Add onion, pepper, and garlic; sauté until softened, 3–4 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and transfer mixture to a small oven-safe skillet or baking dish.
5. Top with shredded cheeses, pepper, and paprika.
6. Bake uncovered for 10–15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve immediately with tortilla chips or warm tortillas.

Notes

• Substitute chorizo for cooked sausage or bacon if preferred.
• Add sliced jalapeños for extra heat.
• Mix different cheeses for a more complex flavor.
• Serve in individual ramekins for a fun presentation.

How to Serve It

Spoon it into warm flour or corn tortillas like a taco, or scoop it with sturdy tortilla chips. Add salsa, pickled jalapeños or a squeeze of lime. It’s a natural with Loaded Nachos and Baked Chicken Tacos.

Storage and Reheating

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• Reheat at 350°F for 5–10 minutes, until melted and bubbly again.
• Leftovers make an excellent quesadilla filling.

Queso Fundido Questions

Is queso fundido spicy?

Mildly, depending on the chorizo. Add sliced jalapeños for more heat, or use a mild sausage and bell pepper for less.

Can I make it ahead?

Cook the chorizo and vegetables up to a day ahead. Add the cheese and bake just before serving.