Home » From Fast Food to Fine Dining: Copycat Restaurant Recipes for Every Taste! » Pappasito’s Queso
by Stephanie Manley, Last Updated 22 Comments
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Pappasito’s Queso is wonderful full-flavored queso. Made with onions, garlic, green chilis, cheese, and fresh tomatoes, it’s perfect for nachos and so much more.
You can make queso in less time than it takes to go to the restaurant.
Table of Contents
About Pappasito’s Cantina
You can easily find a Pappasito’s if you live in Texas, although you might be lucky enough to live near one in another location. When you step through the front door of a Pappasito’s Cantina, the sights, scents, and sounds of Pappasito’s hit your senses, and you know you are in for an original and wonderful Tex-Mex dining experience.
Pappasito’s story is a family story. It began with the grandfather, who came to the new world from Greece in 1897. He opened restaurants throughout Tennessee, Arkansas, and Texas that were renowned for the quality of their food and service, and he passed these ideals down to his sons and grandsons.
In 1976 his grandsons followed in their grandfather’s footsteps and opened their first Pappasito’s restaurant. A true American family success story.
What Is Queso?
If you are not familiar with Tex-Mex food, queso is a Mexican-inspired side dish or appetizer made with a base of creamy melted cheese. Pizzazz is added to the cheese by the addition of chile peppers, garlic, jalapeños, different kinds of meat, pico de gallo, etc.
It would be fair to say that queso has taken over the world of Tex-Mex and could be regarded as the unofficial dish of Texas. Moreover, queso dip has become so popular it has inspired many other cultures to adopt their own version, for example – kimchi queso.
If you really love queso, you could even take a queso road trip! To inspire you, here’s an article telling you where to find the best queso in each state. And, why not begin your road trip on September 20, National Queso Day!
Ingredients
Here’s a list of what you need:
- American cheese
- Whole Milk
- Canned green chilies
- Garlic
- Garlic Salt
- Onion
- Tomatoes
How to Make Pappasito’s Queso
- Place cheese and milk in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Cook and stir until cheese is melted and blended.
- Add chilies with liquid, garlic, garlic salt, and onion. Cook and stir until onions are transparent.
- Remove from heat and add tomatoes before serving.
If you have fallen in love with queso, below are some more links for you.
Love queso? Try these recipes!
- Chili’s Queso
- Monterey’s Little Mexico Queso
- Queso Blanco
- Skillet Queso
- White Queso Dip
Popular Mexican Recipes
- Charra Beans
- Cheese Enchiladas
- Chipotle Barbacoa
- Crock Pot Chicken Tacos
- Instant Pot Salsa Chicken
- Restaurant Style Refried Beans
- Sopapillas
- Taco Bell Quesadilla Sauce
Be sure to check out more of my easy Mexican food recipes and the best copycat restaurant recipes here on CopyKat.com!
And, Iwould love to hear about your favorite queso dip – just drop me a line in the comments section. Be sure to follow us on Facebook!
Pappasito’s Queso
Make Pappasito’s Queso for a tasty appetizer with this easy copycat recipe. A creamy Mexican cheese dip with chiles, garlic, onion, and tomatoes.
5 from 9 votes
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Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Pappasito’s Queso, Queso
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 327kcal
Author: Stephanie Manley
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds American cheese
- 1/3 cup Whole Milk
- 4-5 ounces Canned Green Chilies with juice
- 1 tablespoon Minced Garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon Garlic Salt
- 1/2 cup Diced Onion
- 1/2 cup Diced Ripe Tomatoes (discard seeds)
Instructions
Melt cheese with milk and stir until blended.
Add chilies with liquid, garlic, and onion. Cook and stir until onions are transparent.
Remove from heat and add tomatoes before serving.
Notes
You may want to add additional milk/cream to the queso to make it thinner. Should you need to reheat this, it is best if you reheat on a stovetop.
Nutrition
Calories: 327kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 86mg | Sodium: 1498mg | Potassium: 149mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 850IU | Vitamin C: 1.6mg | Calcium: 904mg | Iron: 0.5mg
About Stephanie Manley
I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.
Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Taylor Hornbeck
I followed the directions to a tee. Is it meant to thicken up so quickly? Any suggestions on what I could use to help prevent this issue
Reply
Stephanie Manley
I think some manufacture’s cheese is different, simply add more milk and you should be fine!
Reply
Cheryl
Hi is it 4-5 oz of chilis or 4 cans that are 5oz thank you and can’t wait to try it!
See AlsoTri-Tip Steak Chili RecipeReply
Stephanie Manley
I find that the ounces vary by brand. Pick a small can of green chilis that is between 4 and 5 ounces.
Reply
Marie
Husband is in love!!!Reply
Dale
Hi, I live in Canada and am not sure what American Cheese is. Can someone please explain what kind of cheese to purchase and thank you!
Reply
Stephanie
It is a style of processed cheese. It is the cheese you typically see on a fast-food hamburger because it melts so well.
Reply
Arlene
Can you use Velveeta instead?
Stephanie
It’s ok, but the Land O’Lakes is the better choice.
Esther G
Stephanie, this is great. However it is missing a few ingredients. I used to work there so I can confirm the Land ‘O Lakes cheese. It is definitely the brand they use. However, when they serve it, not only do they top it with tomatoes but they also put cilantro and some kind of cheese (it looks like feta-with that consistency). Any way to find out what that cheese is they top it with?
Reply
Jana
It’s cojita on top not feta.
Reply
misfit365
Why not velveta?velveta is the business
Reply
Deborah M
This recipe is absolutely IDENTICAL to the real thing! I am in LOVE!!!!!!
Reply
I.am.amber
What brand of processed cheese did you use?
Reply
stephaniemanley
I used Kroger, I have also used HEB brand.
I can’t remember the brand name but it was at the deli counter at walmart.
Matt Ferrell
Sigh…where do I find processed cheese that’s not Velveeta?!?
Reply
Stephanie
Any store sells it, just pick up the store brand.
I bought American cheese from the deli at walmart
Esther G
Matt, the cheese is Land ‘O Lakes processed cheese (yellow american). Walmart is the only store that I know of that sells it at the deli counter. It is difficult if not impossible to find in other parts of the store, and all the other stores I called did not carry that brand. I go there and ask them to cut it at a “14” which is about an inch or inch and a half thick. Then when I go home I slice it up into cubes to make it easier to melt. It’s not expensive-like $6 per pound.
shelley
We went to find some White American processed cheese and you can find it at any walmart deli. But just be warned it is very expensive so you may be better off just going to your local mexican restaraunt and buy there premade stuff.
Reply
Kelly
Loved this dip!Reply
