Cheese Sauce Recipe
This quick and easy homemade Cheese Sauce Recipe is perfectly melty, flavorful, and delicious. Made with six simple ingredients and ready in less than 15 minutes, serve it with crispy tortilla chips, pillowy pretzel bites, or poured over steamed veggies like broccoli.
Servings: 4 cups (approx)
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon salted butter
- 3 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt plus more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin optional
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika optional
- 2 cups whole milk
- 3 cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a medium pot or saucepan set over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the flour, whisking continuously until the flour has fully absorbed the butter, creating a thick paste. Continue mixing for about two minutes until the mixture is smooth and thickened, then add the salt, cumin, and smoked paprika, mixing well.
- Whisking continuously, slowly add the milk. Mix well to incorporate the milk with the roux, then heat, stirring often to prevent scorching, until the milk bubbles. Bring to a gentle simmer, but do not boil.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low (or lower) and continue to simmer, stirring continuously, for 6-8 minutes or until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Reduce the heat to low, then add the cheese a handful at a time, stirring well between each addition, then immediately remove from heat.
- Season with additional salt and black pepper to taste. Best served immediately.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days (freezing is not recommended). Reheat gently over low heat on the stovetop or in 15-second increments in the microwave, stirring well between each, until the cheese is runny to your liking.
- This recipe makes approximately 4 cups.
Nutrition
Calories: 516kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 122mg | Sodium: 959mg | Potassium: 262mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1372IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 754mg | Iron: 1mg
