Quick Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce
Make a rich, creamy nacho cheese sauce in minutes using simple ingredients. This recipe is perfect for dipping chips, topping nachos, or adding to fries.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 5 min
- Total Time: 10 min
- Yield: About 1.5 cups 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 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 to create a smooth paste, cook for one minute.
- Gradually whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth and begins to thicken.
- Reduce the heat to low. Add the shredded cheddar cheese one handful at a time, stirring constantly 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
- For a smoother sauce, shred your own cheese instead of using pre-shredded cheese, as pre-shredded varieties contain anti-caking agents.
- If the sauce thickens too much while sitting, whisk in a tablespoon of milk or water to reach your desired consistency.
- Use this sauce as a topping for tacos, fries, pretzels, or as a dip for tortilla chips.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 13
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 9
- Cholesterol: 35
Find it online: https://hearthbite.com/quick-homemade-nacho-cheese-sauce/