Quick & Creamy Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce
Make a rich, smooth nacho cheese sauce at home in minutes. This recipe uses simple ingredients to create a perfect dip for chips, fries, or tacos.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 7 min
- Total Time: 12 min
- Yield: About 1.5 cups
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex Inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk (whole milk works best)
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a slight kick)
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for one minute, stirring constantly to create a roux.
- Slowly pour in the milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Cook until the mixture thickens slightly, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low. Add the shredded cheddar cheese one handful at a time, stirring until each addition is fully melted and smooth before adding more. Do not let the sauce boil.
- Stir in the salt and cayenne pepper, if using.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately for the best texture.
Notes
- Shred your own cheese; pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make your sauce grainy.
- If the sauce becomes too thick upon standing, whisk in a tablespoon of warm milk until you reach your desired consistency.
- This is a great base for a party appetizer cheese dip.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Unsaturated Fat: 6
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 9
- Cholesterol: 40
Find it online: https://delishdiarist.com/quick-creamy-homemade-nacho-cheese/