Quick Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce (Restaurant Style)
Make a smooth, creamy nacho cheese sauce in minutes using simple ingredients. This recipe delivers that rich, cheesy flavor perfect for dipping chips or topping tacos and fries.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 7 min
- Total Time: 12 min
- Yield: About 1.5 cups 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour to create a roux. Cook for one minute, stirring constantly.
- Gradually whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth. Continue cooking, 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.
- Reduce the heat to low. Add the shredded cheddar cheese one handful at a time, stirring until each addition is fully melted and smooth before adding more.
- Stir in the salt and garlic powder. Taste the sauce and add a pinch of cayenne pepper if you want a slight kick.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately for the best texture.
Notes
- Shred your own cheese; pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
- For a thinner sauce, add a splash more milk after removing it from the heat.
- This sauce is excellent for pouring over tortilla chips, french fries, or soft pretzels.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 10
- Cholesterol: 40
Find it online: https://cookingbyfelix.com/homemade-nacho-cheese/