The Best 5-Minute Copycat Nacho Cheese Sauce
Make rich, smooth, restaurant-style nacho cheese sauce in just five minutes using simple ingredients. This easy cheesy sauce is perfect for dipping chips, topping nachos, or serving as a game day cheese dip.
- 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 butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a little heat)
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 often, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the shredded cheddar cheese, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper, if using.
- Stir until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Do not return the sauce to the heat once the cheese is added, as this can cause it to separate.
- Serve immediately over your favorite nachos or use as a quick party dip.
Notes
- For a smoother texture, shred your own sharp cheddar cheese instead of using pre-shredded varieties, which contain anti-caking agents.
- If the sauce thickens too much while sitting, whisk in a teaspoon of milk or water off the heat until you reach your desired consistency.
- This recipe makes a great concession stand cheese topping for fries or pretzels.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 135
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Unsaturated Fat: 4
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 8
- Cholesterol: 30