Skinny Queso Dip | Lite Cravings | WW Recipes | Low Calorie (2024)

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

Step up your appetizer game with this Skinny Queso Dip. At just 70 calories a serving, you can indulge in some cheesy goodness without the guilt!

Skinny Queso Dip | Lite Cravings | WW Recipes | Low Calorie (1)

Cooler weather. MLB and NBA postseason. College football Saturday. NFL Sunday. This is the kind of atmosphere that screams for cozy blankets and fireside nibbles. I’m a sucker for warm dips, but most are packed with calories and fat.

Not this Skinny Queso Dip! This version has so much cheddar flavor and is half of the calories/fat of store-bought brands. Jeff is obsessed with the Tostitos canned queso, and even he likes this version better.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with a can of cheese now and then. But since you’re using real, whole ingredients in this recipe, the flavor is so much more satisfying than the jarred stuff. Make it on the weekend and eat through it all week!

Skinny Queso Dip | Lite Cravings | WW Recipes | Low Calorie (2)

What ingredients do I need to make skinny queso dip?

It might seem like a lot of ingredients go into making this recipe, but most of them are shelf-stable or keep in the refrigerator for a long time.

Here’s what you need:

  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Jalapeno (optional)
  • Tomato
  • Reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese
  • Reduced-fat cream cheese
  • Almond milk
  • Cornstarch
  • Canned green chilis
  • Cumin
  • Chili powder
  • Salt and pepper
  • For garnish: chives or green onions (optional)

The one ingredient that might seems a bit strange is the cream cheese, and only 2 tablespoons at that. I though the sauce needed a little boost of creaminess. That’s why I included it in the recipe.

Skinny Queso Dip | Lite Cravings | WW Recipes | Low Calorie (3)

I always have cream cheese on hand, so it’s not a big deal for me. If you don’t usually buy cream cheese, you could leave it out and just let the sauce cook more to thicken. Or you could use the leftover cream cheese to make my Penne alla Vodka later in the week and thank yourself later!

Stock up your pantry and fridge so you can make this dip whenever the craving hits!

What can i do with the leftovers?

The leftovers heat up really well! Some cheese sauces can get super clumpy or separate, but this one does fine in the microwave for about a minute.

Skinny Queso Dip | Lite Cravings | WW Recipes | Low Calorie (4)

If you’re making this for just yourself, cut the recipe in half and use the leftovers during the week for some delicious, low-point meals!

Our favorite is baked potatoes topped with steamed broccoli and queso. So freaking delicious, and a super easy weeknight meal. You could also use the dip for nachos, or as the cheese in a bean and cheese burrito. Serve any of those up with a side salad and you’re good to go!

I’d love to hear from you if you make this recipe! It makes my day when you share your pics on Instagram and tag me (@litecravings). Don’t forget to use #litecravingsrecipes to make sure I see it. If I don’t get a chance to scroll through my tags quickly enough, I won’t see your post. I always make a point to look through the hashtags, though, so I’ll see it there.

Skinny Queso Dip | Lite Cravings | WW Recipes | Low Calorie (5)

Print Recipe

5 from 5 votes

Skinny Queso Dip

Step up your appetizer game with this Skinny Queso Dip. At just 70 calories a serving, you can indulge in some cheesy goodness without the guilt!

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Total Time30 minutes mins

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Servings: 16

Calories: 69kcal

Author: Geri

Ingredients

  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1-2 jalapenos, seeded and minced (optional)
  • 1 1/4 cup unsweetened, plain almond milk
  • 3 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 large tomato, diced (with juices)
  • 1 4-ounce can diced green chilis (with juices)
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 2 cup reduced fat cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2 tbsp reduced fat cream cheese (1/3 less fat)
  • kosher salt and pepper, to taste
  • minced chives or green onions, for garnish

Instructions

  • In a medium-sized saucepan, over medium heat, sauté onion, garlic, and jalapenos until soft, about 5-7 minutes.

  • In a separate bowl, whisk together almond milk and cornstarch. When veggies are soft, slowly add milk/cornstarch mixture to saucepan. Increase heat to medium high until the mixture begins to boil.

  • Reduce heat to medium low. Whisk in cumin and chili powder. Add in canned chilis and tomato with all of their juices. Simmer until sauce is slightly thick, about 4-5 minutes.

  • Whisk in cream cheese until it completely melts through the sauce. Remove sauce from heat.

  • Slowly fold in cheddar cheese, about 1/4 cup at a time, until all cheese has completely melted into the sauce. If you try to add all the cheese in at once, it might clump together.

  • Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.

  • If the queso is too thin, return to medium-low heat and simmer until thicker. If too thick, thin out out a few splashes of almond milk.

Notes

Click hereto determine your WW PersonalPoints for this recipe (if you are logged in to your WW app, it should calculate for you automatically). Serving size is 1/4 cup.

WW Green, Blue, and Purple SmartPoints:

2 for 1/4 cup

3 for 1/3 cup

4 for 1/2 cup

Nutrition calculated for 1/4 cup

Nutrition

Calories: 69kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sugar: 1g

Skinny Queso Dip | Lite Cravings | WW Recipes | Low Calorie (2024)

FAQs

How do you make queso dip thinner? ›

Add all ingredients to a pan over medium low heat. Stir continuously until everything is melted and smooth. If you want a thinner cheese dip you can add more milk to reach the desired consistency.

How many calories are in homemade queso dip? ›

Calories in Queso

Mexican cheese dip is a calorie-dense food. Two tablespoons of Mexican cheese dip (or 30 grams) contains 42 calories, according to the USDA.

Is queso dip good for you? ›

While it can be high in calories and sodium, it can provide protein, essential vitamins, and minerals, and contribute to a well-rounded diet when consumed in moderation. By being mindful of portion sizes and considering ingredient choices, you can enjoy queso as part of a healthy lifestyle.

What can I dip in queso besides chips? ›

Of course, there's nothing wrong with the classic nachos, but Queso For All suggests trying out some other dippers for your queso besides corn chips. Consider dunking pretzels, homemade bread, sausages and vegetables to get a different flavor from your dip.

What can I add to queso to make it thinner? ›

If you're into a thinner dip, add the 1 1/2 cups to start out with, and after all the cheese is incorporated, if it's still too thick for you, slowly stir in another 1/4 cup (or more) of cream until it's thin enough for you.

How do you make Velveeta queso dip thinner? ›

Velveeta can be made thinner by adding milk to it. Here's how: Warm up some milk in a saucepan and then add cubed Velveeta. The ratio of milk to Velveeta will depend on your desired level of thickness.

How many calories are in 2 tablespoons of queso dip? ›

2 tbsp of queso dip (Wegmans) contains 60 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 14% carbs, 64% fat, and 21% protein. This has a moderate calorie density, with 200 Calories per 100g.

How many calories are in a cup of queso dip? ›

Moe's Southwest Grill Cup Of Queso (1 serving) contains 15g total carbs, 15g net carbs, 39g fat, 18g protein, and 460 calories.

How many calories in a tablespoon of queso dip? ›

Other common serving sizes
Serving SizeCalories
1 tbsp46
1 oz82
100 g290
1 cup740
Aug 21, 2007

What is the unhealthiest dip? ›

Cheese Whiz Dip

Even though it's known as "The Original Cheese Dip", it may be time to move on to better and healthier things. "Cheez Whiz Dip is considered one of the least healthy processed dips for several critical reasons," says Mary Sabat MS, RDN, LD.

Which is healthier salsa or queso? ›

Salsa is lower in calories, with no fat and has many beneficial vitamins. Our recommendation? Don't avoid queso or guacamole in moderation (they're delicious!), but if you want a flavorful, low-calorie snack you can fill up on without added guilt, grab some salsa.

Is guacamole or queso healthier? ›

It's all about the fat

Ultimately, this match-up comes down to fat – and because avocados contain the healthiest fats, guacamole is king. “Avocados are an excellent plant source of dietary fat,” Allers says.

What else can you eat queso with? ›

7 Things to Do With Queso Besides Make Dip
  • Looking for something extra delicious to do with your extra queso? ...
  • Amp Up Your Taco Tuesday. ...
  • Heat Up Some Chili. ...
  • Mix Up Some Mac 'n' Cheese. ...
  • Top Off An At Home Chipotle Bowl. ...
  • Whip Up Some Skillet Nachos. ...
  • Pour Over Your Favirite Veggies & Bake.
Dec 29, 2021

What is the difference between queso and cheese dip? ›

Scanning the internet and the supermarket shelf, we realized that the cheese sauces are divided into two basic categories: Queso Dips, which include some amount of heat, spices, and other flavorings, and Cheese Dips, which are cheese and little else.

What can you substitute for queso? ›

Monterey Jack cheese: Monterey Jack is a mild, semi-soft cheese that is similar in texture to queso blanco. It has a subtle flavor and melts well, making it a good substitute for queso blanco in recipes. Feta cheese: Feta is a tangy and crumbly cheese that is commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine.

How do you fix queso that's too thick? ›

If the queso is too thin, return to medium-low heat and simmer until thicker. If too thick, thin out out a few splashes of almond milk.

How do you make queso dip more liquidy? ›

Milk -- You can substitute with half and half or whipping cream for a thicker creamier dip, and/or add up to ½ cup of water to make it more runny. Evaporated milk works here, too. Green chiles -- These are from a can and give the white cheese dip an extra kick! Use more or less to taste.

What makes queso less thick? ›

Feel free to add more chicken broth at anytime if you want to make queso less thick.

Can I use milk to thin out queso? ›

Place cheese, milk, and butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Stir until cheese is melted. Add green chilies, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper; stir until smooth. Thin with more milk if sauce is too thick.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Otha Schamberger

Last Updated:

Views: 5933

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (75 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Otha Schamberger

Birthday: 1999-08-15

Address: Suite 490 606 Hammes Ferry, Carterhaven, IL 62290

Phone: +8557035444877

Job: Forward IT Agent

Hobby: Fishing, Flying, Jewelry making, Digital arts, Sand art, Parkour, tabletop games

Introduction: My name is Otha Schamberger, I am a vast, good, healthy, cheerful, energetic, gorgeous, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.