Quick and Creamy Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce
Make a smooth, restaurant-style nacho cheese dip in under 10 minutes using simple ingredients. This recipe is perfect for nachos, fries, or as a game day appetizer.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 5 min
- Total Time: 10 min
- Yield: About 1.5 cups 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional, for a slight kick)
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for one minute, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
- Slowly pour in the milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Continue to cook, stirring, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the shredded cheddar cheese, salt, and garlic powder. Stir until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Stir in the cayenne pepper, if using.
- Serve immediately over nachos or use as a dip.
Notes
- Shred your own cheese from a block for the smoothest texture; pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
- If the sauce becomes too thick while sitting, whisk in a tablespoon of warm milk or water until you reach your desired consistency.
- This sauce is a great alternative when you are looking for quick meal planning ideas for snacks.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Trans Fat: 0.3
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 8
- Cholesterol: 30
Find it online: https://delicerecipe.com/quick-creamy-homemade-nacho-cheese/