Quick & Creamy Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce (Restaurant Style)
Make the best velvety, smooth homemade nacho cheese sauce in under 15 minutes. This quick cheese dip tastes better than store-bought and is perfect for nachos, fries, or tacos.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Total Time: 15 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 (whole milk works best)
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a subtle kick)
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a medium 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. Continue to cook, stirring often, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 3 to 5 minutes. Do not let it boil rapidly.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the shredded cheddar cheese, salt, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir gently until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and velvety.
- Taste the sauce and adjust salt or cayenne as needed. Serve immediately over your favorite chips, fries, or tacos.
Notes
- Shred your own cheese; pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent a smooth melt.
- For a spicy nacho cheese variation, increase the cayenne pepper or add a dash of hot sauce.
- This sauce is excellent as a vegetarian cheese dip for game day snacks.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 165
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 13
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Trans Fat: 0.3
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 0.1
- Protein: 9
- Cholesterol: 35
Find it online: https://cutcooktaste.com/easy-creamy-nacho-cheese-sauce-recipe/