The Best 5-Minute Creamy Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce
Make restaurant-style nacho cheese sauce at home in under five minutes. This recipe creates a velvety, smooth dip using sharp cheddar that beats any store-bought jar.
- 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
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for one minute, stirring constantly to create a roux. Do not let it brown.
- Gradually pour in the milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Continue to cook, stirring often, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, salt, and cayenne pepper, if using.
- Stir gently until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and velvety. Do not return the sauce to a boil after adding the cheese, as this can cause graininess.
- Serve immediately over nachos, fries, or use as a dip for tortilla chips.
Notes
- Shred your own cheese from a block; pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting.
- For a thinner sauce, add a splash more milk after removing it from the heat.
- This sauce tastes best when served immediately after preparation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 10
- Cholesterol: 40