5-Minute Creamy Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce
Create a rich, smooth nacho cheese sauce at home in just five minutes. This recipe yields a creamy topping perfect for nachos, fries, or as a simple party dip, rivaling store-bought versions.
- 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
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk (whole milk recommended for richness)
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour to create a smooth paste, called a roux. Cook for one minute, stirring constantly.
- Slowly whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth and begins to thicken slightly. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the shredded cheddar cheese one handful at a time, stirring continuously until each addition is fully melted and incorporated before adding the next. This prevents clumping.
- Stir in the salt. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately over your favorite snacks.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce with the salt.
- If the sauce thickens too much upon standing, whisk in a tablespoon of warm milk to restore the smooth consistency.
- This sauce works well as a base for a Taco Bell cheese copycat; add 1/4 teaspoon of mild chili powder and a tiny pinch of cumin during the final step.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Trans Fat: 0.3
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 8
- Cholesterol: 35