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Best Homemade Cheese Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 87 reviews

This Best Homemade Cheese Sauce recipe creates a creamy, velvety sauce perfect for drizzling over vegetables, pouring on nachos, or adding to pasta. Made with simple pantry staples like butter, flour, milk, and a blend of Cheddar and American cheeses, this quick stovetop sauce delivers rich flavor and smooth texture every time.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Sauce Ingredients

  • 1 Tablespoon salted butter
  • 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 4 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese (about 1 cup)
  • 2 slices American cheese

Instructions

  1. Melt Butter: In a small saucepan, melt the salted butter over medium heat until fully liquid but not browned.
  2. Add Flour and Salt: Stir in the all-purpose flour and fine sea salt, whisking constantly to combine into a smooth paste, known as a roux.
  3. Cook Roux: Continue cooking, whisking frequently, until the mixture becomes bubbly and just starts to develop a light golden hue, about 30 to 60 seconds. This step removes the raw flour taste.
  4. Whisk in Milk: Gradually pour in the whole milk while whisking thoroughly to avoid lumps. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring often, until it thickens slightly to a creamy consistency.
  5. Add Cheeses: Reduce heat to low and add the shredded Cheddar and American cheese slices. Whisk continuously until the cheeses are completely melted and the sauce is smooth and thickened.
  6. Serve Immediately: Once the sauce reaches your desired thickness, remove from heat and serve immediately for best texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Use whole milk for the creamiest texture; lower-fat milks may produce a thinner sauce.
  • Stir constantly during the roux cooking stage to prevent burning and clumping.
  • This sauce can be kept warm on very low heat but may thicken further; whisk in a splash of milk if needed to thin it out again.
  • For a sharper flavor, try substituting part of the Cheddar with Parmesan or a different cheese.
  • Leftover sauce can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove, whisking to restore smoothness.

Keywords: cheese sauce, homemade cheese sauce, cheddar cheese sauce, easy cheese sauce, sauce recipe, cheese dip

Find it online: https://chefmilacook.com/best-homemade-cheese-sauce-recipe/