Spinach Queso (J. Alexander’s Copycat)

Easy Spinach Queso – only 3 ingredients! I love this stuff! Tastes just like the Spinach Con Queso at J. Alexander’s/Redlands Grill. I could make a meal out of this yummy dip! Can make the dip in the microwave or in the slow cooker. Serve with tortilla chips. Great for parties, tailgating, or as a side to all your favorite Mexican dishes! #dip #queso #spinach #velveeta #cheesedip #rotel

bowl of spinach queso

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Copycat J. Alexander’s Spinach Con Queso Recipe

I have a serious weakness for the Spinach Queso at J. Alexander’s/Redlands Grill. It is basically the only reason I eat at J. Alexander’s. Well, the dip and those skinny fries! YASSS! I’ve been craving the spinach dip lately, so I decided to make my own version at home. Y’all, this dip is SO good! I might like it better than the original! With only 3 ingredients, it is a snap to make. Perfect for Taco Tuesday, parties, and watching the big game!

How to Make Cheese Dip with Spinach

This dip is super easy to make in the microwave. Start with heating up some frozen spinach and artichoke dip. Place some Velveeta cheese and some diced tomatoes and green chiles in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat it until it starts to melt. Add the dip and heat until everything is melted and hot.

  • I recommend using TGI Friday’s Spinach Artichoke Dip because it has an alfredo sauce base with a hint of roasted garlic. The creamy spinach and artichoke dip really mellows out the spicy Rotel in this dip.
  • I buy the TGI Friday’s Spinach Artichoke Dip at Walmart.
  • Can I make this Spinach Queso in the slow cooker? Yes! Just dump everything in the crockpot and cook on LOW for a few hours.
  • You can also make the dip on the stovetop if you prefer.
  • You can refrigerate any leftovers and reheat in the microwave or on the stove.
  • When reheating the dip, you may need to add a splash of milk to thin out the dip.
  • Use any heat level of Rotel that you prefer – Mild, Original, Mexican, or Hot.
dipping chip in spinach queso

What to Serve with Spinach Cheese Dip

This dip is SO addictive. I ended up eating this as my lunch when I made it for the blog. I seriously could not stop eating it. We serve the dip with tortilla chips and Fritos. This cheese dip is also great on top of nachos, poured over a baked potato, or on top of our Queso Smothered Chicken. I’m getting hungry just thinking about that combination!

While you can make a meal out of this dip, you probably need a few other snacks to round out your party spread. Here are a few of our favorite recipes from the blog that go great with this cheese dip:

Taco Ranch Bites

Taco Ranch Bites – seriously delicious!! Only 6 ingredients! Ground beef, taco seasoning, diced tomatoes and green chiles, cheddar cheese,…

Superior Grill Salsa

Superior Grill Salsa – the salsa recipe from my favorite Mexican restaurant. So easy & tastes great. Tomatoes, pickled jalapenos,…

bowl of spinach queso

Easy Spinach Queso

Yield: 8 people
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Easy Spinach Queso – only 3 ingredients! I love this stuff! Tastes just like the Spinach Con Queso at J. Alexander's/Redlands Grill. I could make a meal out of this yummy dip! Can make the dip in the microwave or in the slow cooker. Serve with tortilla chips. Great for parties, tailgating, or as a side to all your favorite Mexican dishes! #dip #queso #spinach #velveeta #cheesedip #rotel

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb Velveeta cheese cubed
  • 1 (10-oz) can Rotel tomatoes
  • 2 (8-oz) packages TGI Friday's Frozen Spinach Artichoke Dip
  • cup milk, optional

Instructions:

  • Peel back a corner of the frozen dip and microwave on HIGH for 2 minutes. Set aside.
  • In a large microwave-safe dish, combine undrained Rotel and Velvetta cheese. Microwave on HIGH 5 minutes or just until cheese melts.
  • Remove from microwave; stir in partially cooked spinach and artichoke dip. Microwave for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Stir until the mixture is well blended. Add milk if necessary to thin out the dip.
  • Serve wtih tortilla chips.

Notes:

  • I recommend using TGI Friday’s Spinach Artichoke Dip because it has an alfredo sauce base with a hint of roasted garlic. The creamy spinach and artichoke dip really mellows out the spicy Rotel in this dip.
  • I buy the TGI Friday’s Spinach Artichoke Dip at Walmart.
  • To make the dip in the slow cooker, simply dump everything in the crockpot and cook on LOW for a few hours.
  • You can also make the dip on the stovetop if you prefer.
  • You can refrigerate any leftovers and reheat in the microwave or on the stove.
  • When reheating the dip, you may need to add a splash of milk to thin out the dip.
  • Use any heat level of Rotel that you prefer – Mild, Original, Mexican, or Hot.

Steph

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Comments

  1. This is SO GOODl!!!! I used to work at this restaurant and as a tip- add chicken stock instead of milk!!!!!

  2. I made this tonight for a get together and it was AMAZING! I followed the recipe exactly and will most definitely be making it again. Super easy and quick!!

  3. That is some good tailgaitin' food there! I remember learning about Rotel circa 1982 because of the rotel/velveeta dip and thinking I had found food nirvana.

  4. We made a version of this for our housewarming on Saturday. Instead of the premade spinach and artichoke dip, we used one package of chopped frozen spinach, thawed and well drained, one can of artichoke hearts, drained and chopped, and one block of cream cheese. We made it in the crockpot, and it was amazing! People were scraping out the crockpot!

  5. This is a great, hot cheesy dip. How can you not love it?

    We recently made a bean dip that we served cold and seeing this recipe makes me wonder if that dip would work well hot.

    Thanks for the inspiration.

  6. My husband and I had our 3rd date at J Alexanders in Hoover and I'm POSITIVE we had this dip 🙂 Can't wait to try!

    War Eagle 🙂

  7. WoooHooo! It's FOOTBALL season!! And what a way to start the season – this dip looks great! I was going to make the "crack dip", but I guess I can wait another week, 'cause this dip can't wait! Thanks!

  8. Hi Steph,

    Thanks for another super great and easy recipe. We are so excited about football season. Go Andrew Luck and The Indianapolis Colts!

  9. Yay!!! It's football season…I'll be using so many of your great recipes. I am making the cake mix cookies from yesterday for our house full this weekend for the first home game…Have a great first football weekend!

    1. I’m looking for the spinach dip not the one now with chili or tomato it was a 3 easy step I ate it there in 2010 might you still have the original recipe I can get please thank you

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