How to Make Homemade Cheddar Cheese Sauce
Homemade cheddar cheese sauce can be used in a variety of dishes, from cheese fries to macaroni, broccoli and baked potatoes, or even for nachos or other Tex-Mex foods. Using this easy method, you'll first create a creamy white sauce to which shredded cheddar cheese is added and seasoned. This recipe makes about 2½ cups of homemade cheddar cheese sauce. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Unsalted butter
- Medium saucepan
- All-purpose flour
- Whole milk
- Wire whisk
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Cayenne pepper
- Salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
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1
Melt 3 tbsp. of unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Add 3 tbsp. of all-purpose flour and stir until a smooth paste is formed. Cook over low heat for an additional 1 to 2 minutes.
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2
Add 2 cups of whole milk to the flour and butter paste, a few ounces at a time, while stirring continuously with a wire whisk. Continue whisking while heating the mixture over medium-high heat, until the sauce begins to thicken.
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3
Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, but do not let the sauce come to a boil. Add 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese to the mixture and stir until the cheese has completely melted.
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4
Add a pinch of cayenne pepper, salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Cook over low heat for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, and never let the homemade cheddar cheese sauce come to a boil.
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5
Stir well and serve immediately, while warm, on any of your favorite dishes.
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Tips & Warnings
To make a low-fat version of homemade cheddar cheese sauce, use skim or fat-free milk.
Resources
- Photo Credit Dominic Morel