Description
A creamy and flavorful homemade nacho cheese sauce made from a simple roux of butter, flour, and milk, melted with sharp cheddar cheese and a hint of cayenne pepper for a subtle kick. Perfect for dipping tortilla chips or drizzling over nachos.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Sauce
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese (or cubed processed American cheese)
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Melt Butter: Melt 2 tablespoons of salted butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat until fully melted.
- Make Roux: Whisk in 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour and 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, stirring constantly and cooking for 1 to 2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
- Add Milk: Slowly whisk in 1 cup of milk and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat, allowing it to thicken.
- Add Cheese: Reduce heat to low and stir in 8 ounces of shredded sharp cheddar cheese until completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve immediately as a dip for nachos or as a topping.
Notes
- Use sharp cheddar cheese for best flavor, but processed American cheese can be used for extra creaminess.
- Adjust cayenne pepper according to your spice preference.
- If sauce thickens too much upon standing, gently reheat and add a splash of milk to thin it out.
- For a smoother sauce, shred the cheese finely before adding.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: nacho cheese sauce, cheese dip, homemade cheese sauce, sharp cheddar sauce, easy cheese dip, nachos
