# Old El Paso Sauce Creamy Queso > Health and ingredient intelligence for a real grocery product. Source: Supermarket Puzzle (Grocery Intelligence Index). Not a shop. ## Snapshot - **Brand:** Old El Paso - **Retailer listed:** Foodtown - **Category:** International & World Foods - **Size:** 9 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/old-el-paso-sauce-creamy-queso-9-oz - **Slug:** `old-el-paso-sauce-creamy-queso-9-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods Contains multiple industrial ingredients (maltodextrin, modified egg yolks, emulsifiers, colorants, disodium EDTA) and ready-to-eat formulation, consistent with ultra-processed foods (NOVA 4). ## Review Old El Paso Sauce Creamy Queso is a small-format (9 oz) ready-to-use cheese sauce that sits squarely in the Mexican foods/condiments aisle alongside taco kits, jarred salsas, and other bottled sauces. Its bright, family-friendly Old El Paso branding and Tex‑Mex cues make it a grab for shoppers building a quick taco night or adding a creamy dip to party snacks. Typical occasions include weekend gatherings, game-day snacking, and casual movie nights at home. The label leans on convenience and fun—big, bold type, fiesta colors, and imagery of chips or tacos—rather than organic or artisanal claims; there is no organic certification and the ingredient list includes several industrial additives even though words like “natural flavor” may appear. Culturally the product targets busy families and young households who want indulgent, familiar flavors with minimal prep; it sits alongside other approachable, mass-market deli/shelf sauces. In plain processing terms, this is a heavily processed, ready-to-serve sauce made from reconstituted dairy components, starches, oils, and emulsifiers. Sensory-wise it is smooth, creamy and pourable with a mild cheddar note and a faint jalapeño tang, slightly glossy from added gums and stabilizers; saltiness is noticeable. Packaging is a compact 9-ounce jar/tub that invites microwaving a portion or spooning directly onto nachos, tacos, or fries—part of the ritual of quick entertaining or last-minute meal assembly. Overall it offers fast, comforting flavor at the cost of multiple processed ingredients and additives. ## Diet flags - Vegetarian - Gluten-free ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 1 tbsp - **Servings per container:** 16 - **Calories:** 20 - **Total fat:** 1.5g (2% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 0g (0% DV) - **Cholesterol:** 5mg (2% DV) - **Sodium:** 120mg (5% DV) - **Total carbs:** 2g (1% DV) - **Protein:** 0g ## Ingredients Water, Canola Oil, Maltodextrin, Corn Starch, Whey Protein Concentrate, Cheddar Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cultures, Salt, Enzymes), Jalapeno Pepper Puree, Contains 2% or Less of: Salt, Natural Flavor, Sugar, Enzyme Modified Egg Yolks (Egg Yolks, Salt, Enzymes), Color (Titanium Dioxide, Yellow 5 & 6), Spice, Yellow Corn Flour, Garlic, Onion Powder, Citric Acid, Dextrose, Yeast Extract, Xanthan Gum, Gum Arabic, Lactic Acid, Disodium EDTA. ## Flagged ingredients - **Canola Oil** (seed-oil): Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids - **Enzyme Modified Egg Yolks** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier - **Yellow 5** (additive): Artificial coloring - **Yellow 6** (additive): Artificial coloring ## Context tags - **Occasions:** game-day-prep, movie-night, weekend-brunch - **Vibes:** indulgent, convenient, comforting ## FAQ ### Is the Creamy Queso healthy? The Creamy Queso can fit into a balanced diet, especially if you're looking for a tasty dip or sauce. It’s low in calories at just 20 per tablespoon, but it’s important to remember that it’s not a nutrient powerhouse. Think of it as more of a fun flavor enhancer rather than a health food—perfect for adding some zest to your nachos! ### Is it vegan? Nope, the Creamy Queso is not vegan. It contains whey protein concentrate and cheddar cheese, both of which are dairy products. So if you’re looking for a plant-based option, you might want to explore some nut-based cheese dips instead! ### Is it gluten-free? Yes, the Creamy Queso is gluten-free! So if you’re avoiding gluten for dietary reasons, you can enjoy this dip without any worries. Just check the rest of your snack pairings to keep it all safe and delicious! ### Does it contain seed oils? Yes, it contains canola oil, which is a type of seed oil. While some people prefer to avoid seed oils due to their processing methods, canola oil is commonly used in many food products for its neutral flavor and texture. In moderation, it’s not a dealbreaker, but if you're looking to steer clear of processed fats, you might want to keep that in mind. ### Does it contain artificial sweeteners? No, the Creamy Queso doesn’t have any artificial sweeteners. It’s sweetened naturally, which is a plus for those who prefer to avoid synthetic sweeteners. You’ll find that it’s more about the savory and cheesy flavors rather than sweetness! ### Is it high in sugar? Not at all! The Creamy Queso is low in sugar, with no added sugars in the mix. If you’re aiming to keep your sugar intake down, this dip is a solid choice compared to many other sauces that can sneak in a lot more sweetness. ### What are healthier alternatives? If you're looking for a healthier alternative, consider making your own queso using fresh ingredients like cashews, nutritional yeast, and spices. You could also explore salsas or guacamole, which can offer fresh flavors with added nutrients. Homemade versions allow you to control the ingredients and avoid some of the processing! ### Can kids eat it? Absolutely! The Creamy Queso is a kid-friendly option, especially for dipping veggies or chips. Just keep an eye on the sodium content, as it has 120 mg per tablespoon, which can add up if they're dunking away! ### Is it good for weight loss? In moderation, the Creamy Queso can be part of a weight loss plan, especially given its low calorie count. Just be mindful of portion sizes, as it can add up quickly if you're not careful. Pair it with healthier snacks like carrot sticks or whole-grain chips for a more balanced approach! ### Is it ultra-processed? Yes, the Creamy Queso does fall into the ultra-processed category, as it contains multiple ingredients and additives like maltodextrin and xanthan gum. While it's not the same as a homemade queso, many enjoy the convenience it offers. Just remember, there's a time and place for everything in moderation! ## Related products - [House of Tsang Classic Stir Fry Sauce](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/house-of-tsang-classic-stir-fry-sauce-1150-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/house-of-tsang-classic-stir-fry-sauce-1150-oz - [Guerrero Zero Net Carb Original](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/guerrero-zero-net-carb-original-765-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/guerrero-zero-net-carb-original-765-oz - [Chi Chi's Thick & Chunky Salsa, Hot](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/chi-chis-chi-chis-thick-chunky-salsa-hot-16-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/chi-chis-chi-chis-thick-chunky-salsa-hot-16-oz - [Pataks Simmer Sauce, Tikka Masala Curry, Medium](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/pataks-pataks-simmer-sauce-tikka-masala-curry-medium-15-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/pataks-pataks-simmer-sauce-tikka-masala-curry-medium-15-oz - [Nonna Pias Balsamic Glaze Classic](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/nonna-pias-pias-balsamic-glaze-classic-845-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/nonna-pias-pias-balsamic-glaze-classic-845-oz - [Old El Paso Hint Of Lime Taco Shell 10ct](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/old-el-paso-hint-of-lime-taco-shell-10ct-540-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/old-el-paso-hint-of-lime-taco-shell-10ct-540-oz - [Ortega Mini Taco Slider Shells 18 ct](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/ortega-mini-taco-slider-shells-18-ct-440-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/ortega-mini-taco-slider-shells-18-ct-440-oz - [Kedem Grape Juice, Concord](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/kedem-grape-juice-concord-22-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/kedem-grape-juice-concord-22-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. Full API access and search: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/skill.md