Making a tasty and creamy **Costa Vida Queso dip** is great for parties, hangouts, or just a quick snack. This fresh cheese sauce can be made in many ways. **Queso**, a favorite cheese for dipping at Costa Vida, has fresh ingredients and spices, plus salsa, unlike the processed cheese in nacho dips.
The Costa Vida Queso recipe is very popular in the US and other countries worldwide. It’s usually served with tortilla chips, but it also pairs well with dipping sauce for tacos, tostadas, burritos, spicy jalapeno dishes and many others.
Making queso is simple, and various cheese and other ingredients can be used. This Costa Vida Queso recipe is quick and simple, can be made in minutes and will become your new go-to appetizer.
For a tasty Laba Garic recipe, click here.
Quick Meal Facts
Prep time
10 minutes
Cooking time
10 minutes
Total Time
You can prepare this Costa Vida Queso recipe in less than 20 minutes.
Ease of Cooking
The recipe is flexible and has clear instructions, so it could be considered a “very easy” recipe.
Servings
2 servings
Type
Appetizer
Cuisine
American
Ingredients Used in the Costa Vida Queso Recipe
To make this Mexican cheese sauce, you’ll only need a few ingredients:
- ⅔ cup half-and-half milk
- 4 ounces Velveeta
- 3 cups grated cheddar cheese
- 1 tomato, diced
- 1 cup of salsa
- 2 ounces of cream cheese
- ¼ cup chopped Jalapenos
- ¼ tsp cumin
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- ¼ tsp chili powder (you can use green chilies instead)
- Tortilla chips for dipping
Equipment Needed
- A medium saucepan
Cooking Method
This Costa Vida Queso recipe can be made in minutes following the simple prep method.
- Heat the half-and-half milk in a medium saucepan.
- Add the Velveeta, cream cheese and cheddar.
- Stir until everything is melted.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, salsa, cayenne, jalapenos, chili powder, and cumin until combined.
- Serve with tortilla chips. You can keep your queso warm by serving it in a fondue pot.
How Can I Make Costa Vida Queso Healthier?
To make this recipe healthier, steam the cheese before and after cooking. It is easy to make the sauce. The end product has a creamy texture and is deliciously rich. This soft and pleasant flavor sauce can be used as a spread, a topping, a filling in burritos and tacos, and more.
Nutritional Information for Costa Vida Queso
Costa Vida Queso is not just tasty but healthy, too. It’s low in calories and fat and has good calcium and protein sources.
A serving of 6 oz of Costa Vida Queso has 330 calories. According to its calorie breakdown: 68% is fat, 20% is protein, and 12% is carbs.
Serving Suggestions
Pair Costa Vida Queso with your favorite Mexican burritos, tacos, enchiladas, tostadas or tortilla chips.
It’s also a great topping for nachos and a dip for veggies. Just add a generous amount of queso to add more flavor and creaminess!
Costa Vida Queso also pairs great with baked potatoes. You can also add some shredded cheese and diced onions.
Storage
Place the Costa Vida Queso in an airtight container and put it in the refrigerator to store it correctly. To preserve its flavor and texture, keeping track of how long your Costa Vida Queso has been stored is important. You should write the cooking date on the container to ensure it is used promptly.
FAQs
Is Costa Vida Queso gluten-free?
Yes, Costa Vida Queso is gluten-free, making it a fantastic choice for gluten-intolerant people.
Is Costa Vida Queso lactose-free?
Unfortunately, Costa Vida Queso is not lactose-free so there are some side effects if you consume it and are lactose intolerant. Moreover, the protein from cow’s milk may cause allergies in some people.
What type of cheese should I use?
The Costa Vida Queso’s creamy, silky texture depends on the selection of cheeses. The greatest option is to use a mixture of different kinds of cheese like Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack and Colby cheeses.
Add some cream cheese if you want your dip to be extra creamy.
The quality of the dairy products you’ll choose is quite important as it will give your queso the right consistency. The creaminess depends on if you’re using whole milk or heavy cream.
Conclusion
Try this simple and delicious recipe for a creamy, layered queso with a hint of cilantro and fresh tomatoes. It’s a great recipe to have on hand for when you decide to host a party in your home, whether you’re making burritos, nachos, or tacos.