Introduction
Are you looking for a crowd-pleasing dip that’s creamy, flavorful, and secretly nutritious? Look no further than this amazing butternut squash queso! This unexpected twist on traditional queso dip transforms humble butternut squash into a velvety, cheese-infused delight that your guests won’t be able to resist.
First of all, butternut squash queso offers the perfect balance of comfort food indulgence with a healthy boost of vitamins and nutrients. Furthermore, this recipe is incredibly versatile, making it ideal for game day gatherings, holiday parties, or simple weekend snacking.
Why Butternut Squash Queso Stands Out
Traditional queso dips often rely entirely on cheese for their creamy texture. However, our butternut squash queso incorporates roasted squash to create an even silkier consistency while adding subtle sweetness and nutritional value. In addition, the beautiful golden-orange color makes this dip visually stunning on any appetizer table.
Not only is this butternut squash queso delicious, but also it contains fewer calories than traditional all-cheese versions. The butternut squash adds fiber, vitamins A and C, and potassium—nutrients rarely found in typical party dips!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before you begin, gather these simple ingredients for your butternut squash queso:
- 1 medium butternut squash (about 2 pounds)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced (optional for heat)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup milk or vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro and diced tomatoes for garnish
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Butternut Squash
- First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Next, cut the butternut squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds.
- Brush the cut sides with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and place cut-side down on a baking sheet.
- Roast for 30-40 minutes, or until the squash is completely tender when pierced with a fork.
- Once the squash has cooled slightly, scoop the flesh from the skin and set aside.
Creating Your Butternut Squash Queso
- In a medium saucepan, heat the remaining olive oil over medium heat.
- Add diced onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Then, add minced garlic and jalapeño (if using) and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Stir in cumin and chili powder, toasting the spices for 30 seconds.
- Subsequently, add the roasted butternut squash and mix well.
- Next, reduce heat to low and add cream cheese, stirring until melted.
- Gradually add shredded cheddar cheese, stirring continuously until smooth.
- Pour in milk or broth to achieve your desired consistency.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serving Your Butternut Squash Queso
For the best experience, serve this butternut squash queso warm with tortilla chips, fresh vegetable sticks, or pretzel bites. Additionally, you can garnish with fresh cilantro, diced tomatoes, or extra jalapeños for those who enjoy more heat.
The butternut squash queso is kept warm in a small slow cooker or fondue pot if serving at a party. As a result, your guests can enjoy its creamy goodness throughout the event!
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
Surprisingly, this butternut squash queso tastes even better the next day, as the flavors have time to meld together. Therefore, you can prepare it up to two days in advance and reheat it when ready to serve.
To store leftovers, place your butternut squash queso in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. When reheating, add a splash of milk or broth to restore its creamy consistency, as it may thicken in the refrigerator.
Variations to Try
Although this butternut squash queso is perfect as is, nevertheless you might want to experiment with these tasty variations:
- Smoky Butternut Queso: Add a chipotle pepper in adobo sauce for a smoky kick.
- Tex-Mex Style: Mix in a can of drained Rotel tomatoes and green chilies.
- Vegan Option: Use plant-based cheese alternatives and non-dairy milk.
- Extra Veggie Boost: Stir in roasted corn kernels and black beans.
If you enjoy this butternut squash queso, you might also love our Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip – another crowd-pleasing appetizer that combines sweet and spicy flavors beautifully!
Why This Butternut Squash Queso Will Become Your Go-To Recipe
Above all, what makes this butternut squash queso special is its universal appeal. Cheese lovers appreciate its rich, creamy texture, while health-conscious guests enjoy knowing it contains nutritious vegetables. Children are often fooled by its familiar color and cheesy taste, never suspecting they’re eating vegetables!
Moreover, this butternut squash queso is adaptable to dietary needs. The base recipe is naturally gluten-free, and it can be modified for vegetarians and even vegans with the right substitutions.
Conclusion
This butternut squash queso recipe proves that comfort food and nutrition can deliciously coexist. By incorporating sweet, velvety butternut squash into a classic cheese dip, you’re creating something truly special that will have everyone asking for your secret.
Finally, whether you’re hosting a big game watch party, a holiday gathering, or simply enjoying a movie night at home, this butternut squash queso is guaranteed to impress. The vibrant color, creamy texture, and complex flavor profile elevate it above ordinary dips.
Give this butternut squash queso a try at your next gathering, and watch as it disappears before your eyes!
Butternut Squash Queso Recipe Everyone Will Love
Description
Searching for a dip that’s rich, irresistible, and surprisingly wholesome? This sensational butternut squash queso is the answer. It puts a clever twist on classic queso by turning creamy butternut squash into a velvety, cheesy delight everyone will crave. Each bite delivers the cozy satisfaction of comfort food while secretly packing in nutrients and vitamins. What makes it even better? Its versatility — perfect for game day, festive parties, or relaxed weekend snacking. This butternut squash queso is the kind of dip that disappears fast and leaves everyone asking for the recipe!
Ingredients:
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Cut butternut squash in half lengthwise and remove seeds.
Brush cut sides with 1 tablespoon olive oil and place cut-side down on baking sheet.
Roast for 30-40 minutes until fork-tender.
Once cooled slightly, scoop flesh from skin and set aside.
Heat remaining oil in saucepan over medium heat.
Cook onions until translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add garlic and jalapeño, cook 1 minute until fragrant.
Stir in spices and toast for 30 seconds.
Add roasted butternut squash and mix well.
Reduce heat to low and add cream cheese, stirring until melted.
Gradually add shredded cheese, stirring continuously until smooth.
Pour in milk or broth to reach desired consistency.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve warm garnished with cilantro and diced tomatoes.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 8
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 220kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 16g25%
- Total Carbohydrate 12g4%
- Dietary Fiber 3g12%
- Sugars 4g
- Protein 8g16%
- Vitamin A 450 mg
- Vitamin C 18 mg
- Calcium 180 mg
- Iron 1.2 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
