Game Day Crock-Pot Queso con Carne
Game Day entertaining and homemade slow cooker Queso con Carne is a cinch thanks to your Crock-Pot® Slow Cooker. Game Day Crock-Pot Queso con Carne features gooey cheese combined with spicy meat, tomatoes, and plenty of tortilla chips for scooping. This easy crock pot queso dip is perfect for all your Sunday football parties.
This recipe for Easy Crock Pot Queso was made in partnership with the Crock-Pot® Brand.
Crock Pot Queso Dip Recipe
It’s football season, and once again our weekends are consumed with football games. Logan just wrapped up another successful NFL Flag Football season. They were undefeated and tournament champs!
For the NFL, Logan likes to cheer for the Denver Broncos. You can’t really go wrong with the home team, can you? While Kevin is an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan.
One thing that there is no disagreeing on is that we all love game day snacks and we love to have friends over to watch the game, whatever team it may be. Is there anything better than bonding with friends and family over Sunday Night Football?
And while everyone loves tailgating at the actual stadium, it can be just as fun to “homegate” in the comfort of your own space. After all, we all know that game day is better with a party!
The downside to having a party is that often it can feel like a bit of work. And when you’re busy prepping all the snacks and drinks for your friends and family to enjoy, you can end up missing some of the game, or just feeling like you don’t get to enjoy it as much.
What I Love About this Recipe for Crock Pot Queso Dip
Thanks to NFL Crock-Pot® Slow Cookers, hosting friends and family to watch the game is easy! The Crock-Pot® slow cooker takes the prep work and stress out of entertaining. Plus, you can proudly display the team you’re cheering for with a slow cooker featuring your favorite NFL team’s logo.
I also really like that when using a Crock-Pot® Slow Cooker I don’t have to worry about the food getting cold thanks to the handy “warm” setting. With this particular Cook and Carry™ model, the lid has a locking feature.
I love that if you’re the guest, rather than the host, you don’t have to worry about your food spilling or your lid sliding all over during transit to your party’s location.
I love to make things in my Crock-Pot® Slow Cooker because it takes all the fuss out of the prep work. It really fits my schedule to prepare things in advance so that I can enjoy the company of my friends and family, and catch all the highlights of the game.
This Game Day Crock-Pot Queso con Carne couldn’t be more perfect for a game day appetizer. The great thing about this particular version of queso, is that it has tons of flavor and plenty of ingredients to be filling for all your guests.
Who doesn’t like homemade queso when they’re watching football?
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Crock-Pot Queso Ingredients
Don’t let the lengthy ingredients list fool you — most of the the items listed below are spices! Here’s what you’ll need to make homemade queso:
- Olive oil
- Yellow onion
- Poblano pepper
- Jalapeño pepper
- Garlic
- Ground beef
- Spices
- All-purpose flour
- Beef broth
- Tomato paste
- Processed cheese (i.e. Velveeta Cheese)
- Milk
For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions to make this crockpot cheese dip, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.
How to Make Crock-Pot Queso
To make this easy queso recipe, you’re first you’re going to make a spicy ground beef mixture. Ground beef is combined with sautéed onions, poblano, jalapeño, and garlic.
Then, you’ll add some smokier spices like cumin and chili powder, and a little bit of Mexican oregano. For a little bit of a sauce, add some flour, tomato paste, and beef broth.
After you add that to the meat mixture and thicken it up, you’ll add that to your Crock-Pot® Slow Cooker along with some processed cheese (it is the best for getting a really gooey, cheesy, smooth queso), milk, and diced tomatoes.
The slow cooker does the rest of the work on this Queso con Carne. Just give it a good stir periodically until the cheese is melted.
Once the dip is hot throughout and cheese is melted, turn the crock pot to the warm setting.
The above is simply a quick summary of how to make this delicious cheese dip. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.
Click HERE to save this recipe for Slow Cooker Queso con Carne to Pinterest!
How to Serve Crock-Pot Queso
Serve this easy queso recipe with your favorite tortilla chips a few toppings. A few of our favorite toppings are:
- chopped cilantro
- sliced jalapeño peppers (fresh or pickled)
- diced tomatoes
- olives
- sour cream
- extra salsa
- shredded cheese
This allows guests to assemble their own plate of chips and Queso con Carne. I think guest-assembles, DIY, or serve your self style meals and snacks are perfect for when having a crowd over to watch the game.
People can eat when they’re ready, and make it how they want it, all while allowing the host or hostess to sit down and enjoy the party.
Tips for Making Crock-Pot Queso con Carne
One great tip to make the prep even easier on the day of the game is that the meat mixture can be made in advance. That will free up time the day of your party.
If you’d like to make it in advance by more than a couple of days, it stores well in the freezer. Simply take it out of the freezer the day before you plan to prepare the rest of the Crock-Pot queso dip. Then, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator.
This way all you’re really spending time on is heating the whole thing up until the cheese is melted. You can focus your time on setting out a few accompaniments to serve along side the Queso con Carne and enjoying your guests.
Crock Pot Queso Dip FAQs
Got questions about how to make this crock pot cheese dip? Here are the answers to a few commonly asked questions. Feel free to leave any other questions in the comments on this post and I’ll respond with answers.
What Can I Substitute for the Ground Beef?
You could use a spicy sausage, such as chorizo, instead of ground beef if you would like.
Can This Be Made Vegetarian?
If you or your guests don’t eat meat, I’m sure you could omit the ground beef and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
However, I’ve only ever made this Crock-Pot queso recipe as written, so I can’t say for sure how it’ll turn out if you make it vegetarian.
How Should I Store Leftover Crock Pot Queso Dip?
The best way to store leftover cheese dip is in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last for 3 – 5 days.
Try this Crock Pot Queso Dip!
Next time you’re looking for an appetizer that is a real crowd pleaser, give this crock pot queso dip recipe a try!
Did you think it was the perfect appetizer when you need to feed lots of people? Leave a comment below and give it a review for others to see what you thought of this football appetizer.
On Instagram? Share your photo and tag me with @goodlifeeats and #goodlifeeatsrecipes. I’d love to see your photo of this homemade queso recipe!
Click HERE to save this recipe for Slow Cooker Cheese Dip to Pinterest!
More Easy Crock-Pot Recipes:
Here are some of our very favorite game day recipe ideas that utilize our Crock-Pot® Slow Cooker so preparing to tailgate is easier than ever!
Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken is packed with flavor and super tender thanks to hours in the crock pot, this recipe is sure to please! For a great game-day idea create a taco using this chicken recipe and allow guests to bring ingredients for the tacos and everyone to assemble their own plate takes a lot of work off the host.
These Slow Cooker Baked Bean Trio with Bacon and Peppers are loaded with flavor thanks to three types of beans, bell peppers, poblano peppers, and bacon. A perfect, easy side dish for game day entertaining that would go great with ribs, wings, or pulled pork sandwiches.
A loaded baked potato bar would be great with this Braised Short Rib and Bacon Chili that is easily made in your Crock-Pot® Slow Cooker. Find the instructions for the Perfect Baked Potato here.
Slow Cooker Southwestern Pulled Pork is the perfect addition to our favorite Ultimate Easy Nachos. They whip up in a pinch and make Crock-Pot football recipes super simple to prepare (and serve), leaving you with more time to socialize, eat, and enjoy the game!
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What are your best tips for hosting a tailgating party without stress?
Crock-Pot Queso con Carne
Game Day Crock-Pot Queso con Carne features gooey cheese combined with spicy meat, tomatoes, and plenty of tortilla chips for scooping.
Ingredients
For the Meat Mixture:
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 medium Yellow Onion, diced
- 1 Poblano, deseeded and diced
- 1 Jalapeno, diced (remove seeds for milder heat)
- 1/2 teaspoon Minced Garlic
- 1 pound Lean Ground Beef
- 1 tablespoon Cumin
- 2 tablespoons Ancho Chile Powder
- 1 teaspoon Mexican Oregano
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon Flour
- 1 cup Beef Broth
- 1 tablespoon Tomato Paste
For the Queso:
- 2 pounds Processed Cheese, Original Flavor, cut into 1 inch cubes
- 2/3 cup Milk
- Prepared Meat Mixture
Optional Toppings:
- 1 large Tomato, diced
- Tortilla Chips
- Sliced Jalapenos
- Diced Tomatoes
- Chopped Cilantro
Instructions
For the Meat Mixture
- Heat the olive oil in a cast iron skillet or saute pan over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion and saute for 3-4 minutes, or until tender.
- Then, add the poblano, jalapeno, and minced garlic and saute for another 3-4 minutes.
- Add the ground beef, cumin, chili powder, Mexican oregano, and salt and pepper to taste to the onion mixture.
- Stir to combine.
- Cook over medium heat, using a wooden spoon or a spatula to break up the meat into small, bite sized pieces.
- Drain and excess grease and discard.
- In a 2 cup glass measuring cup, whisk together the flour, beef broth, and tomato paste.
- When mixed well, add it to the ground beef mixture, stirring and continuing to cook until thickened.
For the Queso
- Add the cheese, milk, and meat mixture to the slow cooker.
- Cook, with the lid on, over high heat for about 20-30 minutes, stirring periodically.
- When the cheese has melted, turn the heat down to keep warm and stir in the diced tomato.
- Serve with desired accompaniments.
Notes
If you've made the meat mixture ahead of time and stored it in the refrigerator, reheating the meat before adding it to the cheese will help the cheese melt faster.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 20 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 230Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 1gSugar: 4gProtein: 17g
I am privileged to have a working relationship with the Crock-Pot® Brand on Good Life Eats. I’ve been compensated for my time in creating this recipe for Game Day Slow Cooker Queso con Carne, but as always – my opinions are my own!
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Nicole says
Nachos are my weakness. And these look soooo good!
alyssa | everydaymaven says
Perfect football food!! We have one of those football crockpots as well (Eagles!) – they are so cute!
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
I’ve been on such a nacho kick lately!! Looks so good!
Julia says
I love that Crockpot! So fun. And this dip would have to be at any football party I have. Looks amazing!
Christina says
Sigh, I miss watching football. I grew up in Illinois so I’m a Bear’s fan by default which sucks because my team is horrible :(. However, when I moved to Oregon I stopped watching for two reasons. One, I don’t have (nor want) cable so it’s difficult to find the Bear’s game on TV and I feel weird cheating and watching the Seahawks. Mind you, I probably should cheat on this occasion but it feels so unnatural! Second, football comes on SO early on the west coast. I grew up watching football in the afternoon, now the game comes on at like, 8 am in the dang morning! Again, it just feels so weird!
Oh well, at least Super Bowl is around the corner so I can get my football gaming watching on then. AND, now I have an amazing recipe to share with my friends! I’m drooling over your crockpot queso! What an amazing recipe for football or really any party! YUMMY!
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says
Such fun football-watching Crock Pots, I’ve never seen these! Please pass the dip – it looks AWESOME!!