Vegetarian Mushroom Queso Fundido Recipe
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Updated Jun 08, 2025, Published Oct 21, 2022
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Spicy peppers, gooey melted cheese, and hearty mushrooms come together in this irresistible Vegetarian Queso Fundido. If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s bold, cheesy, and easy to make, this skillet dip is the perfect upgrade from your usual cheese plate.
Table of Contents
- What is Vegetarian Mushroom Queso Fundido?
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Substitutions
- Optional Variations
- How to Make Vegetarian Mushroom Queso Fundido
- Serving & Topping Suggestions
- Vegetarian Mushroom Queso Fundido Expert Tips & Tricks
- Storage Instructions
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Recipes
- Vegetarian Mushroom Queso Fundido Recipe
What is Vegetarian Mushroom Queso Fundido?
Queso fundido translates to “molten cheese,” and that’s exactly what this dish delivers—cheesy, bubbly goodness. This meatless version swaps out traditional chorizo for a savory blend of mushrooms and onions, giving it an earthy, umami-packed twist. Baked until golden and served warm, it’s the ultimate Mexican cheese dip for vegetarians and cheese lovers alike.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ridiculously simple: Just 15 minutes of active prep time.
- Only 6 ingredients: Plus tortillas for serving.
- Ultra cheesy and customizable: Use any melty cheeses you have on hand.
- Diet-friendly: Naturally gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, and egg-free.
- Party perfect: A guaranteed crowd-pleaser served in a warm skillet.
Ingredients & Substitutions
You only need a handful of ingredients to make a skillet of molten cheesy deliciousness:
- Unsalted Butter: Helps caramelize the onions and brown the mushrooms.
- Mushrooms: A mix of Baby Bella, shiitake, cremini, and oyster adds depth. Use any variety you like.
- White Onion: Yellow or red onion work too.
- Serranos or Jalapeños: Serrano peppers are spicier than jalapeños. Use whichever suits your spice tolerance, and remove seeds for even less heat.
- Cheese: I used mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and tomato-basil cheese. Any melty cheese like Oaxaca cheese, Chihuahua, or asadero will work.
- Fresh Cilantro: Adds brightness; sub with parsley if preferred.
- Tortillas: flour tortillas or corn tortillas for scooping or wrapping. Corn tortilla chips work too.
Note: The complete list of ingredients, quantities, and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.
Optional Variations
This recipe has not been tested with all of these substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
- Add a drizzle of Roasted Tomatillo-Chipotle Salsa for a smoky queso fundido.
- Use roasted poblano chile peppers or Hatch chile peppers instead of serranos for Vegetarian Queso Fundido with Mushrooms and Hatch Green Chile.
- Love meat? Add chorizo and make Choriqueso (Queso Fundido with Chorizo).
- Try flavored cheeses like pepper jack or smoked gouda.
How to Make Vegetarian Mushroom Queso Fundido
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F.
Step 2: Sauté onion. Melt butter in a large oven-safe skillet and cook the onion for 1 minute.
Step 3: Cook mushrooms for about 5 minutes, until softened.
Step 4: Add cheese and chiles on top of the mushroom-onion mix.
Step 5: Bake uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, or until cheese is melted and lightly browned.
Step 6: Garnish and serve. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro and serve warm with tortillas or chips.
Serving & Topping Suggestions
- Serve with warm homemade corn or flour tortillas.
- Scoop onto toasted bread for a melty mushroom bruschetta.
- Spoon over carne asada tacos, homemade refried beans, or enjoy it straight from the skillet!
Vegetarian Mushroom Queso Fundido Expert Tips & Tricks
- Use a large skillet to avoid overcrowding mushrooms, which can lead to sogginess.
- For the best melt, grate your cheese fresh—pre-shredded cheese is coated with anti-caking agents that affect texture.
- Cast-iron pans are ideal for keeping your queso warm and gooey.
- Looking for more meatless Mexican dishes? Check out my full Mexican Vegetarian Recipe Collection!
Storage Instructions
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet or microwave until hot and bubbly. Add a splash of milk or cream if it seems too thick.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s a Mexican-inspired cheese dip made with melted cheese and sautéed mushrooms, perfect for dipping with tortillas or chips.
Choose cheeses that melt well, like mozzarella, Monterey Jack, asadero, or queso Oaxaca. Avoid crumbly cheeses like cotija cheese or feta.
Serve hot with warm homemade corn tortillas, fried tortilla chips, or spoon it over homemade refried beans or toast.
Yes! Sauté the mushrooms and prep the cheese ahead. Bake just before serving for best texture.
Yes, as long as you use gluten-free tortillas or chips.
More Recipes
If you tried this Vegetarian Mushroom Queso Fundido Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!
Vegetarian Mushroom Queso Fundido
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 16 ounces sliced mushrooms, (I used a combo of baby bella, shitake, crimini, and oyster mushrooms)
- 1/2 cup white onion, chopped
- 2 serranos or jalapeños, diced
- 12 ounces melty cheese, (I used a mixture of mozzarella, tomato basil, and Monterrey Jack), shredded
- chopped cilantro
- 6 corn or flour tortillas, warmed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Melt butter in a large skillet and add onion and cook for 1 minute.
- Add mushrooms, and cook until mushrooms begin to soften for about 5 minutes.
- Place the cheese and chile over the cooked mushrooms.
- Place skillet in the oven and bake uncovered for about 10 to 12 minutes or until cheese is completely melted and slightly golden brown on top.
- Sprinkle with fresh cilantro.
- Serve with corn or flour tortillas.
Notes
- You can use any mix of mushrooms—Baby Bella, cremini, oyster, and shiitake are all great choices.
- Serrano peppers are spicier than jalapeños. Use whichever suits your spice level, or remove seeds to tone down the heat.
- Freshly grated cheese melts better than pre-shredded cheese, which often contains anti-caking agents.
- Serve straight from the cast-iron skillet to keep it warm and gooey.
- This dish is naturally gluten-free if served with corn tortillas or gluten-free chips.
- Leftovers make a delicious topping for nachos, scrambled eggs, or quesadillas.
- Add a smoky flavor by mixing in a spoonful of chipotle in adobo or a pinch of smoked paprika.
- For best results, bake just before serving to enjoy the cheese at its bubbliest.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
