Make a smooth, restaurant-style nacho cheese sauce from scratch in under 10 minutes for dipping chips or topping your favorite Tex-Mex dishes.
Author:Amaya Sato
Prep Time:5 min
Cook Time:7 min
Total Time:12 min
Yield:About 1.5 cups
Category:Appetizer
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:Tex-Mex
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 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 form a roux.
Slowly whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth. 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 continuously until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Serve immediately over nachos, fries, or use as a dip.
Notes
Shred your own cheese; pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting.
If the sauce becomes too thick upon standing, whisk in a small amount of milk until you reach your desired consistency.