Skinny Queso

It is just too hard not to want to dip watching Football on Sundays. I have tried just dipping veggies in hummus, carrots in skinny ranch, baked chips and salsa, and as much as I love of those things, I just can’t resist queso. Literally I have to save points for it every weekend because someone inevitably brings queso, and I have to eat it whether it is delicious and homemade or out of a jar. My favorite kind of queso is homemade, has no beans or meat, and has lots of spice, so this recipe mirrors that. However, you could easy saute some hamburger to start the recipe, or throw in some beans. Make it however you like it. I adapted this recipe from one that was passed around at a WW meeting, adding lots more spice. If you don’t want it quite as spicy, eliminate the jalapeno.

Weight Watchers Skinny Queso
Points: 1 Weight Watchers PointsPlus
Servings: 16
Serving size: 1/4 cup
Nutritional Info: 75 calories, 2g of fat, 3.1g carbohydrates, 4g protein, 1.1g dietary fiber

Ingredients:
1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 poblano, diced
1 jalapeno, diced
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 1/4 cup skim milk
3 tbsp cornstarch
1 10-ounce can tomatoes with chiles, diced and drained
1 3/4 cups reduced fat sharp Cheddar, shredded
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
juice of 1 lime
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ancho chili powder

Instructions

In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup milk with 3 tsbp of cornstarch. Set aside, this will serve as the thickener.
Bring a medium to large sauce pan up to medium heat and spray non fat coking spray. Add the onions, garlic, poblano, and jalapeno and cook for 5-7 minutes until they begin to soften.
Add the chicken broth and milk. Bring to a simmer and let cook for about 3 minutes to reduce slightly.
Add the cornstarch mixture to the pan and stir quickly. It will immediately thicken up and begin to bubble. Once you see it thicken up, turn the heat to low.
Add the cheese and stir until it melts completely. Then add the tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
Serve with homemade baked tortilla chips. To cook, preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut corn tortillas in 1/4′s and place onto a sheet of parchment paper. Spray with cooking spray and sprinkle with salt. Cook for 10-15 minutes until crispy.

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12 Response to Skinny Queso

Ariane @ Bitchetarian on January 23, 2012

This looks awesome! I find life to be far more tolerable with cheese sauce, yet also enjoy fitting into something other than my sweatpants. Thanks for this one!
- Kristen on January 23, 2012
  
  I couldn’t agree more
Deb C on January 23, 2012

I have been WAITING for this one! It sounds delicious and easy to make…thanks SOOO much! By the way, I think all your recipes rock!
- Kristen on January 23, 2012
  
  Thanks so much!
Lialu on February 3, 2012

Bless you for sharing all your delicious recipes! I am really looking forward to trying out the queso and Picadillo recipes among many others! I just happened across your website and am so happy I did!
Sue Ellen on February 4, 2012

Just began weight watchers. Live in the country so I have to “plan” my trips to shop. Found this website last night and am elated! So many of the ingredients I have in my pantry…..now, this is going to make my journey with Weight Watchers so much easier.

Thanks for including the points! What is the use of a great recipe if we don’t know the points?
Shawna on April 17, 2012

This is FANTASTIC! Seriously a life saver to a queso and chips junkie like me!
Heather on October 9, 2012

I loved this recipe! I made it a few weeks ago for a dinner party appetizer and it was incredible! I made the mistake of not straining the stewed tomatos, which made it a little more runny than it should be, but it didn’t affect the taste. It was SO good. I just wish there were healthier choices for the actual dipping. I love Tostitos multigrain but I hate the points.
Ginger on October 24, 2012

Delicious!! A little runny but tasted great. So glad I found this!
Kirsten on February 1, 2013

So excited to make this for my husband on Super Bowl Sunday – I also found corn tortilla that are 6 tortillas for 1 points plus! AWESOME! so this whole snack will be 2 points plus! Thanks for posting this!!!
- Kristen on February 1, 2013
  
  What brand of tortillas? I need to check them out immediately
  - Kirsten on February 1, 2013
    
    They were the Perez corn tortillas I found in my HyVee grocery store in the refrigerated section.