Cheese Sauce
This homemade Cheese Sauce is rich, creamy, and packed with sharp cheddar flavor. Perfect for nachos, vegetables, fries, pasta, and more, it’s a quick and versatile sauce you’ll want to make again and again.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups whole milk
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Slowly pour in the milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps.
- Cook for 3–5 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
- Reduce the heat to low.
- Add the shredded cheese a handful at a time, stirring until completely melted after each addition.
- Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Continue stirring until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Serve immediately over your favorite dishes.
Notes
- Freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.
- Keep the heat low when adding cheese to prevent a grainy texture.
- Add extra milk if the sauce becomes too thick.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat gently and stir frequently, adding a splash of milk if needed.
- Use as a topping for nachos, fries, vegetables, baked potatoes, pretzels, or pasta.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 140 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
Find it online: https://thefamilycooking.com/cheese-sauce/
