Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce
User Reviews
4.6
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
5 mins
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Total Time
10 mins
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Servings
6 servings
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Calories
220 kcal
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Course
Condiments
Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce
Description
The Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce is created by first melting salted butter, then whisking in flour and cayenne pepper to form a roux. Slowly adding milk then simmers the mixture to thicken. Finally, shredded sharp cheddar is folded in and melted until smooth, creating a creamy cheese sauce with a gentle spicy hint from the cayenne. This provides a base that pairs well with tortilla chips or other snack foods.
The flavor balances the richness of butter and cheddar with a subtle heat, while the texture remains velvety and pourable. The sauce is thick enough to coat chips without being clumpy or overly heavy.
This sauce can be served warm as a dip or used as a topping for nachos. It also works well in recipes requiring a cheese sauce component. Variations suggested in the notes allow cooking diced jalapeños or adding spices like cumin or paprika to deepen flavor. Substitutions of cheeses or mixing with beer offer further customization.
The notes provide helpful tips on how to add onions, garlic, and spices to enhance flavor or swap cheeses for different tastes. These adjustments allow cooks to tailor the sauce to their preference while maintaining the fundamental creamy texture achieved through the roux and melted cheddar.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter salted
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese or cubed processed American cheese, shredded sharp
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Melt 2 tablespoons salted butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Whisk in 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour and 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper and cook 1 to 2 minutes.
- Slowly whisk in 1 cup milk and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
- Reduce the heat to low and add in 8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
- Stir until cheese is melted and smooth.
Notes
- Add diced jalapeño, serrano, or roasted peppers by cooking them in butter before adding flour for more spice.
- Sauté finely diced onions and garlic in butter before adding flour for added depth.
- Replace half the milk with light beer to alter the flavor and texture.
- Experiment with spices like cumin, paprika, chili powder, or taco seasoning by toasting them in butter before flour.
- Mix cheddar with pepper jack, Monterey jack, or Mexican cheese blends for different tastes.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 220 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 0.25cup | |
| Calories | 220kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 4g | 1% |
| Protein | 11g | 22% |
| Fat | 18g | 28% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Cholesterol | 54mg | 18% |
| Sodium | 286mg | 12% |
| Potassium | 91mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 579IU | 12% |
| Calcium | 318mg | 32% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.6
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