Indulge in the rich and savory flavors of queso fundido, a delightful Mexican dish that combines the irresistible taste of melted cheese with the spicy kick of chorizo. Perfect for gatherings or a cozy night in, this dish is a crowd-pleaser that pairs wonderfully with crispy tortilla chips. The combination of oaxaca and monterey jack cheese creates a creamy texture, while the addition of jalapeños and cilantro adds a fresh and zesty touch.
When preparing this dish, you might need to visit a specialty store for oaxaca cheese, a semi-soft, stringy cheese from Mexico known for its excellent melting properties. If unavailable, you can substitute it with mozzarella. Chorizo, a spicy pork sausage, is another key ingredient that might not be in your pantry. Ensure you get the Mexican variety for an authentic taste. Fresh jalapeños and cilantro are essential for adding heat and freshness, so make sure to pick them up if they're not already in your kitchen.
Ingredients For Queso Fundido Recipe
Chorizo: A spicy pork sausage that adds a rich, savory flavor to the dish.
Oaxaca cheese: A semi-soft, stringy cheese from Mexico, known for its excellent melting properties.
Monterey jack cheese: A mild, creamy cheese that melts well and complements the oaxaca cheese.
Onion: Adds a sweet and savory depth to the dish when cooked.
Jalapeños: Provides a spicy kick and enhances the overall flavor profile.
Olive oil: Used for sautéing the onion and jalapeños, adding a subtle richness.
Tomato: Adds a fresh and slightly acidic contrast to the rich cheese.
Cilantro: Offers a fresh, herbal note that brightens the dish.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To enhance the flavor of your chorizo, consider browning it in the skillet before adding it to the onion and jalapeños. This will create a crispy texture and deepen the savory notes. Additionally, when layering the cheeses, make sure they are evenly distributed to ensure a smooth, gooey melt. For an extra kick, you can leave some jalapeño seeds in the mix, but be cautious as this will increase the heat level.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
cooked and crumbled chorizo - Substitute with cooked and crumbled soy chorizo: Soy chorizo provides a similar spicy and savory flavor, making it a great vegetarian alternative.
cooked and crumbled chorizo - Substitute with cooked and crumbled Italian sausage: Italian sausage can offer a different but still flavorful profile, though it may be less spicy.
shredded oaxaca cheese - Substitute with shredded mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella has a similar meltability and mild flavor, making it a good substitute.
shredded oaxaca cheese - Substitute with shredded queso asadero: Queso asadero has a similar texture and melting quality, suitable for queso fundido.
shredded monterey jack cheese - Substitute with shredded pepper jack cheese: Pepper jack adds a bit of spice while maintaining the creamy texture.
shredded monterey jack cheese - Substitute with shredded cheddar cheese: Cheddar provides a sharper flavor and still melts well.
diced small onion - Substitute with diced shallots: Shallots offer a milder and slightly sweeter flavor, suitable for those who prefer less pungency.
diced small onion - Substitute with diced green onions: Green onions provide a milder taste and a bit of color.
diced jalapeños - Substitute with diced serrano peppers: Serrano peppers are slightly hotter but offer a similar flavor profile.
diced jalapeños - Substitute with diced poblano peppers: Poblano peppers are milder and add a different depth of flavor.
olive oil - Substitute with vegetable oil: Vegetable oil is neutral and can be used for cooking without altering the flavor significantly.
olive oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil is another neutral option that works well for cooking.
diced tomato - Substitute with diced canned tomatoes: Canned tomatoes can be used when fresh tomatoes are unavailable, offering a similar texture and flavor.
diced tomato - Substitute with diced roasted red peppers: Roasted red peppers provide a sweet and smoky flavor, adding a different dimension.
chopped cilantro - Substitute with chopped parsley: Parsley offers a fresh flavor without the distinct taste of cilantro, suitable for those who dislike cilantro.
chopped cilantro - Substitute with chopped basil: Basil adds a sweet and aromatic flavor, providing a unique twist to the dish.
Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store or Freeze This Dish
Allow the queso fundido to cool to room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
Transfer the queso fundido to an airtight container. If you have a shallow container, it’s ideal for even cooling and reheating.
For short-term storage, place the container in the refrigerator. The queso fundido will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
To freeze, ensure the queso fundido is in a freezer-safe container. You can also use a heavy-duty freezer bag, pressing out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
Label the container or bag with the date, so you remember when you stored it.
When ready to enjoy again, thaw the queso fundido in the refrigerator overnight if frozen.
Reheat in a skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally until the cheese is melted and the chorizo is heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat in the oven at 350°f (175°c) until bubbly.
If the queso fundido seems too thick after reheating, stir in a splash of milk or cream to achieve the desired consistency.
Garnish with fresh cilantro and diced tomato before serving to revive its vibrant flavors.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover queso fundido in an oven-safe dish. Cover it with aluminum foil to prevent the cheese from drying out. Heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly again.
Use a microwave-safe dish to reheat your queso fundido. Cover it with a microwave-safe lid or wrap. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the cheese is melted and heated through.
For a stovetop method, place the queso fundido in a non-stick skillet over low heat. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating. This method helps maintain the creamy texture of the cheese.
If you have a toaster oven, set it to 350°F (175°C). Place the queso fundido in a small oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and heat for about 10 minutes until the cheese is thoroughly melted.
For a quick fix, use a double boiler. Place the queso fundido in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water. Stir continuously until the cheese is melted and smooth.
Essential Tools for Making This Dish
Skillet: Used for cooking the onion, jalapeños, and chorizo mixture on the stovetop.
Oven-safe dish: Necessary for layering the chorizo mixture and cheeses, and for baking in the oven.
Oven: Preheated to 375°F (190°C) for melting the cheese and combining flavors.
Knife: Essential for dicing the onion, jalapeños, and tomato.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping vegetables.
Spatula: Handy for stirring the ingredients in the skillet.
Measuring cups: Used to measure the correct amount of cheese.
Serving dish: For presenting the finished queso fundido with tortilla chips.
Time-Saving Tips for This Recipe
Pre-cook the chorizo: Use pre-cooked chorizo to skip the cooking step and save time.
Use pre-shredded cheese: Buy pre-shredded oaxaca and monterey jack cheese to avoid grating.
Chop in advance: Dice the onion, jalapeños, and tomato ahead of time and store them in the fridge.
One-pan method: Cook the chorizo mixture in an oven-safe skillet to eliminate transferring to a separate dish.
Batch preparation: Double the recipe and freeze half for a quick meal later.
Use a food processor: Quickly chop cilantro and other ingredients using a food processor.
Queso Fundido Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Chorizo cooked and crumbled
- 2 cups Shredded Oaxaca cheese
- 1 cup Shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 Small onion diced
- 2 Jalapeños diced
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 Tomato diced
- 1 handful Cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and jalapeños, and cook until softened.
- Add the cooked chorizo to the skillet and mix well.
- In an oven-safe dish, layer the chorizo mixture, shredded Oaxaca cheese, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven, top with diced tomato and chopped cilantro. Serve hot with tortilla chips.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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