Cheese sauce and queso are two cheese-based sauces that are commonly used for dipping tortilla chips, topping tacos, nachos, chili, and more. While they may seem quite similar at first glance, there are some key differences between traditional cheese sauce and queso that impact their flavor, texture, and best uses.
Quick Answers
Here are the key differences between cheese sauce and queso:
- Cheese sauce is made with basic cheeses like cheddar, American, or Velveeta melted into a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Queso is made with melted Mexican cheeses like Oaxaca, asadero, queso fresco, or Chihuahua mixed with spices.
- Cheese sauce has a mild, cheesy flavor while queso has a spicier, more complex taste.
- Queso is chunkier in texture due to the different cheeses used.
- Cheese sauce works well as a topping or dip while queso is best used as a thick, hearty dip.
What is Cheese Sauce?
Cheese sauce refers to any creamy, cheesy sauce made from melting cheese into a smooth liquid. It is typically made by making a white sauce or béchamel with butter, flour, and milk then adding shredded cheese like cheddar, Colby jack, American, Velveeta, or cheese spreads like Cheez Whiz until fully incorporated and melted. The cheese gives the sauce its distinctive rich, gooey texture and mild flavor.
Cheese sauce can be found in its basic form served atop broccoli, cauliflower, macaroni, and other dishes. But it can also be jazzed up with add-ins like roasted garlic, sautéed onions or shallots, smoked paprika, mustard, hot sauce, or other ingredients to make it more complex. The smooth, creamy nature of a classic cheese sauce makes it perfect for blending well with additional ingredients.
Some examples of cheese sauces include:
- Cheddar cheese sauce
- Nacho cheese sauce
- Jalapeño popper cheese sauce
- Beer cheese sauce
- Smoked gouda cheese sauce
- Blue cheese sauce
Best Uses for Cheese Sauce
With its smooth, creamy texture, mild flavor, and ability to nicely coat food, cheese sauce is best used in the following ways:
- Dipping sauce: Cheese sauce is perfect for dipping French fries, tater tots, chicken strips, and other finger foods.
- Nachos: Drizzled over tortilla chips and loaded with shredded cheese, chili, salsa, olives, and other toppings.
- Baked potatoes: Laden on top of baked and twice-baked potatoes.
- Pasta: Tossed with cooked pasta like macaroni or ziti.
- Vegetables: Served over steamed broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, etc.
- Quesadillas: Used as a filling along with veggies and protein.
- Burgers and sandwiches: Drizzled over burgers, grilled cheese, and subs.
Cheese sauce is a versatile condiment that can be served as-is or spruced up with extras to complement a variety of savory dishes.
What is Queso?
Queso (or chile con queso) refers to the spicy, cheesy dip served throughout Mexico and Tex-Mex cuisine. Unlike cheese sauce, queso uses Mexican melting cheeses like Oaxaca, asadero, Chihuahua, and queso fresco. These cheeses give it a distinctive salty, tangy flavor.
Along with the cheeses, queso typically contains roasted chiles like jalapeños, serranos, or poblanos for heat and spices like cumin, chili powder, cayenne, paprika, and garlic. Sautéed onions and tomatoes lend additional flavor. The mixture is cooked until the cheese is fully melted and the spices are well-incorporated.
This combination of seasoned melted cheese gives queso its signature thick, rich consistency and bold, spicy taste. While traditional queso is thinner than cheese sauce, some modern recipes call for making it a bit thicker by adding a cornstarch slurry at the end.
Some popular varieties of queso dips include:
- Queso blanco: Made with white cheeses like Monterey jack, queso fresco, or Oaxaca.
- Queso flameado: Loaded with spicy arbol and guajillo chiles.
- Queso fundido: Often contains chorizo, mushrooms, or poblano peppers.
- Seven layer queso: Layers of ground beef, refried beans, guacamole, etc.
Best Uses for Queso
With its thick, chunky texture and spicy kick, queso is best served in the following ways:
- Dip: Served warm or room temp with tortilla chips for scooping.
- Nachos: The perfect topping along with beans, salsa, and more.
- Tacos: Drizzled on carne asada, fish, and other taco fillings.
- Chili: Ladled over a warm bowl of Texas Red or other chilis.
- Quesadillas: Used as a filling along with protein.
- Burritos and chimichangas: Drizzled over the top or used as a filling.
With its hearty texture and strong flavors, queso is best used as a topping or dip rather than a sauce on its own.
Key Differences Between Cheese Sauce and Queso
Now that you know the basics of each sauce, here is a breakdown of the main differences between cheese sauce and queso:
| Factor | Cheese Sauce | Queso |
|---|---|---|
| Base Cheese(s) | Cheddar, American, Velveeta, etc. | Oaxaca, asadero, queso fresco, Chihuahua |
| Texture | Smooth and creamy | Chunky and thick |
| Flavor Profile | Mild, cheesy flavor | Spicy, tangy, complex flavor |
| Heat Level | Little to none | Can range from mild to very spicy |
| Goes Well With | Pasta, vegetables, sandwiches, baked potatoes, etc. | Chips, tacos, chili, nachos, quesadillas, etc. |
| Best Uses | Sauce, dipping sauce | Dip, topping |
As shown in the table, while both sauces contain melted cheese, their choice of cheese, texture, spice level, and overall flavor profile differ significantly. Cheese sauce works well in a supporting role while queso is best as a rich, standalone dip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cheese sauce the same as nacho cheese sauce?
Nacho cheese sauce is a type of cheese sauce specifically seasoned for nachos. It contains spices like chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and hot sauce to give it a Tex-Mex flair. So while all nacho cheese sauce is considered a cheese sauce, not all cheese sauces are right for nachos.
What’s the difference between queso blanco and queso dip?
Queso blanco refers to any white cheese dips made without tomatoes or chiles. Common examples are white queso and queso fresco dip. Queso dip is a broader term encompassing all cheese dips including white and red varieties.
Is it okay to add beer to queso?
Absolutely! Adding a splash of pale lager or ale is a fun way to enhance queso’s flavor. The malty, yeasty notes pair nicely with the spices and cheese. Just take care not to add too much or the queso could become too thin.
What’s the difference between queso Oaxaca and queso Chihuahua?
Queso Oaxaca has a mozzarella-like texture that melts into smooth, stringy strands. Queso Chihuahua has a firm, crumbly texture similar to feta or cotija. They lend distinct textures to queso dips.
Can you freeze and reheat queso?
It’s best to enjoy queso fresh, but it can be frozen for 1-2 months. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop until the cheese is fully melted again, adding milk or cream to thin if needed.
Conclusion
Cheese sauce and queso both deliver melty, cheesy goodness but in different forms. Cheese sauce is a versatile, mild sauce that nicely coats food. Queso is a spicy, hearty Tex-Mex dip full of big flavors. Consider the uses for each and your guests’ tastes when deciding which cheesy sauce to make!