Sweet dreams are made of cheese! This Cheese Sauce Recipe is ready to make just about everything taste incredible!
Do you find yourself drizzling cheese sauce on everything? Hey, no judgment. The tantalizing temptation of melted goodness is hard to resist. I, for one, can’t imagine eating a baked potato without a hearty helping of cheese sauce. And, admittedly, I even dip my French fries into it. Ketchup who?
I guess my love for cheese sauce started way back in high school, when movie nights with my best friends meant a huge bowl of nachos and opening jars of cheese sauce we’d zap in the microwave.
While not everything pairs well with cheese sauce, there are plenty of foods and recipes that get a major flavor boost from this dairy delight. Whenever you feel like something needs extra savory, sharp, and salty notes, thick and creamy cheese sauce always comes to the rescue.
Sure, you could buy ready-made cheese sauce at the supermarket, but what if they don’t have a flavor that jives with your taste buds? Or what if you want to avoid all those artificial ingredients and added sodium? In that case, making your own cheese sauce is the way to go. Plus, this silky cheese sauce is child’s play to make, and the best part is that you can pretty much make it with any cheese you like.
Is This Cheese Sauce Healthy?
Homemade cheese sauce may be healthier than a jar of Cheez Whiz, but don’t get your hopes up too much. Unfortunately, cheese sauce isn’t as healthy as it is tasty. Whole milk, butter, and cheese all add considerable amounts of saturated fat and calories.
If you’re looking to make this cheese sauce a little healthier, you could opt for reduced-fat cheese or skim milk, but bear in mind that this may affect the texture. The best solution to this dilemma is to dip something healthy into your cheese sauce, like broccoli, cauliflower, carrot sticks, or cherry tomatoes. That way, you won’t feel so guilty about indulging in this sauce!
What Is The Best Cheese For This Sauce?
While you don’t need to use cheddar cheese in your sauce recipe, there’s no denying this is the most popular choice. People love using cheddar because it melts beautifully, is readily available, and has a bold, sharp flavor. But if cheddar isn’t your thing, don’t worry. There are plenty of other cheeses that would work well in this sauce recipe.
If you’re not a fan of strong flavors, Monterey Jack is delightfully mellow and has a mild taste (reminiscent of freshly churned butter) with a subtle sweetness. Looking for a bit more complexity? A young Gouda will have notes of roasted nuts and delicate hints of butterscotch. If you’re after a slightly sharper bite, Gruyère delivers earthy nuances with a touch of mushroom-like savory notes, while an aged Comté has a delicate spice and aromas of dried apricots.
And for those who crave intense flavors, I’ve made this sauce with a spicy Gorgonzola Piccante and even a punchy (or, should I say, pungent) Maroilles—often referred to as “old stinker,” which should tell you plenty!
How Do I Store Leftovers?
After you let your cheese sauce cool completely, transfer it to an airtight container or jar and refrigerate it for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Note that the sauce will thicken as it cools. Reheat gently in a saucepan while stirring and add a splash of milk if necessary to thin it out.
Serving Suggestions
The simplest way to serve this luscious cheddar sauce is as a dip with your favorite scoopable snacks, like these crispy Air-Fryer Tortilla Chips. Of course, it’s also practically made for drizzling over nachos or as a topping for these Quick Baked Potatoes. My favorite way to indulge? Serving it as a dip with Homemade French Fries! But if you’re looking for healthier options, drizzling the sauce over Blanched Broccoli or Steamed Cauliflower is always an option.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until smooth, cooking for about 1 minute.
- Gradually add the milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Cook until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
This worked exactly as written, thanks!
So glad to hear! Thanks for reading.
This cheese sauce is so yummy and so easy.
Thanks so much Tammy, glad you enjoyed it!