Shrimp Con Queso Recipe
Shrimp Con Queso is a flavorful Tex-Mex inspired dish featuring sautéed shrimp and vegetables in a creamy, cheesy sauce made with pepper jack, cream cheese, and heavy cream. Perfect as a hearty appetizer or main dish, this skillet recipe blends tender shrimp, bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms with a spicy, rich queso sauce for a comforting and savory meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 1/2 cup bell pepper (mixed colors), chopped
- 1 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
Seafood
- 1 pound thawed shrimp, deveined and shelled
Cheese and Dairy
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
- 1/2 cup white American cheese
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- Additional heavy cream or milk (optional for thinning)
Other Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
Instructions
- Heat the skillet: Preheat a large skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to warm it up evenly.
- Sauté vegetables: Add the chopped bell peppers, sliced red onion, and mushrooms to the skillet. Cook and stir occasionally for 5-6 minutes until the vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized.
- Cook the shrimp: Toss the thawed, deveined shrimp with 3 tablespoons of taco seasoning to coat evenly. Add the shrimp to the skillet with the vegetables and sear for 2-3 minutes or until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through. Remove the shrimp and vegetables from the skillet and set aside.
- Create the queso sauce base: Lower the heat to low. Add the softened cream cheese and 1/4 cup heavy cream to the skillet. Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts fully and forms a smooth base with minimal lumps.
- Add shredded cheeses: Gradually add the shredded pepper jack and white American cheese in small portions (about 1/2 cup at a time), stirring constantly to melt and incorporate each addition into the sauce. Optionally, add more heavy cream or milk to achieve your preferred sauce consistency.
- Combine shrimp and sauce: Return the cooked shrimp and sautéed vegetables back into the skillet. Stir to coat everything thoroughly with the creamy queso sauce. Heat through briefly, then serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For a spicier queso, increase the taco seasoning or add diced jalapeños to the vegetable mix.
- If you prefer a thinner sauce, gradually add more heavy cream or milk until desired consistency is reached.
- Serve with tortilla chips, warm tortillas, or over rice to turn this into a full meal.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; reheat gently to avoid curdling the cheese sauce.
- Make sure shrimp is fully thawed before cooking for even cooking time.
Keywords: Shrimp Con Queso, creamy shrimp recipe, Tex-Mex shrimp, cheesy shrimp skillet, shrimp appetizer, queso shrimp
Find it online: https://nayabaker.com/shrimp-con-queso-recipe/
