Quick Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce (Copycat Style)
Make a rich, creamy nacho cheese sauce in minutes using simple ingredients. This recipe mimics popular restaurant versions and is perfect for dipping or topping.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 5 min
- Total Time: 10 min
- Yield: About 1.5 cups 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk (whole milk works best)
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a slight kick)
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour to create a smooth paste, cook for one minute.
- Gradually whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth and begins to thicken slightly.
- Reduce the heat to low. Add the shredded cheddar cheese slowly, stirring constantly until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth. Do not let the sauce boil.
- Stir in the salt and cayenne pepper, if using.
- Remove from heat. Serve immediately over nachos, fries, or use as a dip for tortilla chips.
Notes
- For the smoothest texture, shred your own cheese rather than using pre-shredded varieties, which contain anti-caking agents.
- If the sauce thickens too much while sitting, whisk in a splash of milk to restore the desired consistency.
- This is a great game day cheese dip for parties.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Unsaturated Fat: 6
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 10
- Cholesterol: 40
Find it online: https://devourdish.com/quick-homemade-nacho-cheese-sauce/