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Homemade Cheese Sauce Recipe (Cheddar Cheese Sauce)

An easy Homemade Cheese Sauce for appetizers, cooked vegetables, pasta, and baked potatoes. It's ready in 5 minutes with just 3 ingredients.

Cook Time
mins
Total Time
5 mins
Servings: 8 (1/4 cup) servings
Calories: 118 kcal
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (see note 1)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a small saucepan, combine cheddar cheese and cornstarch. Toss until cheese is evenly coated.
  2. Stir in evaporated milk and salt and pepper to taste (I like 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper). Heat over medium-high heat, whisking occasionally, until cheese is melted and smooth, about 3 to 5 minutes.
  3. Reduce heat to low, cover, and keep warm until serving time. Or, transfer to a slow cooker on the "warm" setting for serving.

Notes

  • Shredded cheese: It's okay to use pre-shredded cheese here. Although they are tossed with agents to prevent the cheese from sticking together, it will still melt and thicken up fine. 
  • Yield: This recipe makes about 2 cups.
  • Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Slow cooker: Make the recipe as directed below, on the stove, and then transfer it to your favorite slow cooker (I used one of the "mini sizes" and there is room for a double batch of this cheese sauce recipe). I've left it on the "warm" setting for a few hours and all it ever needs is a little stir. It works really well!
  • Spicy: You can stir in a can 4-ounce of diced green chiles, drained, for some extra flavor and heat. You can do that on the stove or in a slow cooker. If you add them to the slow cooker, just be sure the cheese sauce is back to "hot" before serving (the chiles might cool it down temporarily).

Nutrition Information

Serving 0.25cups Calories 118kcal (6%) Carbohydrates 1g (0%) Protein 7g (14%) Fat 9g (14%) Saturated Fat 6g (30%) Cholesterol 30mg (10%) Sodium 176mg (7%) Potassium 28mg (1%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 283IU (6%) Calcium 204mg (20%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8(1/4 cup) servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 118

% Daily Value*

Serving 0.25cups
Calories 118kcal 6%
Carbohydrates 1g 0%
Protein 7g 14%
Fat 9g 14%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Cholesterol 30mg 10%
Sodium 176mg 7%
Potassium 28mg 1%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 283IU 6%
Calcium 204mg 20%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.