Quick Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce (Restaurant Style)
Make a creamy, smooth nacho cheese sauce in minutes using simple ingredients. This recipe delivers a rich, cheesy dip perfect for topping nachos, fries, or dipping tortilla chips.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 7 min
- Total Time: 12 min
- Yield: About 1.5 cups 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
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 whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth. Continue to cook, stirring often, until the sauce 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 until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and velvety.
- Serve immediately over nachos, fries, or use as a dip for tortilla chips.
Notes
- Shred your own cheese for the best melting results; pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
- If the sauce becomes too thick upon standing, whisk in a small amount of extra milk until you reach your desired consistency.
- This sauce is excellent for game day snacks or as a topping for tacos and pretzels.
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
Find it online: https://cookerycommand.com/best-nacho-cheese-creamy-dip-recipe/