What Is The Best Cheese For Nacho Cheese Sauce
I find colby jack perfect in this recipe, but if you wanted to use another cheese you totally could.
Or, if you like spicy sauce, double the paprika in this recipe for a spicy nacho cheese or use pepper jack cheese.
I definitely plan on making a white cheese/queso blanco sauce based on this recipe in the future.
Heres my favorite way to serve it: drizzled oh so generously over my 30 minute sweet potato refried bean nachos.
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How To Reheat Nacho Cheese:
Heat the leftover nacho cheese in a skillet over medium low heat until melted and warm. Add 2 tbsp of water and whisk until the cheese looks smooth and creamy again . If the sauce is still too thick and doesnt flow well, add more liquid and whisk again. Do not reheat nacho cheese in the microwave.
How To Make Gluten Free Nacho Cheese Sauce
Start by melting butter in a small/medium-sized saucepan then sprinkle in gluten free flour and whisk while cooking for 1 minute. I use Bobs Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour. White rice flour could also work, though I do not recommend using almond flour or coconut flour.
Next, slowly pour in milk and a little chicken broth while whisking to create a smooth sauce. Switch to a spatula then cook while stirring for 3-4 minutes or until the liquid is nice and thick you should be able to see the bottom of the pan for a split second after scraping the spatula across.
Next, TURN OFF THE HEAT then add freshly shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese in two batches, stirring until completely smooth before adding the next batch.
Lastly, add a little liquid from a jar of pickled jalapenos plus some minced pickled jalapenos, if you like. This gives the sauce a little je ne sais quoi!
Thats all she wrote! Serve with plenty of tortilla chips and sliced fresh jalapeno, if you please. I hope you love this incredible, gluten free nacho cheese sauce enjoy!
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Homemade Nacho Cheese Recipe
Nacho Cheese Ive always been a fan of those nachos you get at the ballpark or at movie theaters. Sure, you can get nachos baked and covered with all kinds of toppings. But sometimes Im a simple gal, who just wants to dip some tortilla chips in a bowl of cheese dip.
This homemade nacho cheese recipe is the perfect EASY cheese dip to make for simple nachos. Just whip it up on the stove top, and youve got a hot and cheesy dip ready in no time. It gets so thick and bubbly, and its just perfect with classic tortilla chips. Everyone LOVES this dip on game day.
Thats not the only thing you can use it for, of course. This cheese sauce works as a dip for any appetizer, and man would this make some great cheese fries! Pour it, dip it, drink itI wont judge. Just make sure you make some of this nacho cheese sauce ASAP.
All the Queso
Why Make Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce
Simple, its because you know exactly what ingredients are used, and theres only a few of them compared to nacho cheese from a can which might contain a long list of ingredients. My nacho cheese sauce only has five ingredients for making a great sauce perfect for nachos, and it tastes completely like cheese! I can guarantee if you serve this sauce over your nachos, whoever is eating them with you will be your best friend forever, or maybe youll just eat them all yourself!
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How To Make Nacho Cheese Sauce From Scratch
Nachos are delicious as an appetizer or to accompany any meal. And one of the most common ways to prepare them is with guacamole or ground beef, but you can also follow many other recipes. We all know that the perfect match for this is nachos with cheddar cheese sauce so we’ll teach you how to do it from scratch. Everyone will love it and will be coming back for more!
Making nacho cheese sauce from scratch is very simple. Find an ordinary pot and put it on the hob. Add the cream. I used an entire can. Bring to a boil, but always on a low heat and make sure you don’t leave it unattended.
Start adding some cheese. I used Kraft cheddar cheese slices which are delicious and are perfect for this because they melt very well and easily. Gradually add more slices. If you use standard Cheddar cheese, buy a whole piece and grate it in to make it easier to melt. If you see that it gets very hot, remove the pan from the heat. Do not forget to mix with a spoon while you do this.
Now when it’s all melted it will look like this image below. It was not very thick because I ran out of cheese, but if you want you can add more. However, as it cools it will thicken.
Serve the cheese sauce in a dish and start eating nachos. You can also serve a large plate with nachos and salsa. This makes a fair amount of cheese sauce, so be prepared with at least 200 grams of nachos or more. You can also be creative and serve nachos with avocado jam
Nacho Cheese Isn’t Just For Nachos
You can easily make this recipe as written, or double or triple it if you’re feeding a crowd. You can make it for family dinner or a large batch for a potluck or tailgating.
Simply set out a ton of tortilla chips, some cooked taco meat or pulled pork, some diced jalapenos, green onions, tomatoes, and olives, and a tub of sour cream. You’ll have people raving over your nacho bar! You can also add it to my Warm Taco Seven Layer Dip.
If youve made this or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out. I love hearing from my readers!
You can also follow along on , and to see more amazing recipes to satisfy any foodie craving!
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Make This Easy Nacho Cheese Sauce
Homemade nacho cheese sauce is super easy and so creamy. I think it tastes better than anything store bought.
From movie night to parties, this recipe is my go to nacho cheese recipe. Give it a try and come back and leave a comment letting us know how it turned out for you. I think you will love it.
It is so delicious that you will want to serve it at parties but simple enough for a weeknight snack. Dont you just love recipes like that? I cant wait for you to try it. It is the best!
Whats The Deal With Evaporated Milk
Evaporated milk is just milk thats been simmered over low heat until more than half of the water content has evaporated, so its extra creamy. Its perfect for giving you extremely creamy cheese sauces without the heaviness of using half and half or heavy cream.
When heated together with cheese and a dash or two of hot sauce, you get something pretty magical.
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How To Make Cheese Sauce Step By Step Photos
Start by placing 2 Tbsp butter and 2 Tbsp flour in a small sauce pot.
Heat the flour and butter over medium flame and whisk together until they become bubbly and foamy. Continue whisking for about 60 seconds. This mixture is called a roux and is what will thicken your sauce. Letting the roux cook for about 60 seconds slightly toasts the flour and gets rid of that raw floury flavor, but you want it to stay blonde, so if it begins to brown, remove it from the heat.
Whisk in one cup of whole milk. Turn the heat up slightly and let it come to a simmer . Because the small volume, it should come to a simmer very quickly .
When it reaches a simmer, the milk will thicken. When its thick enough to coat a spoon like in the photo, turn off the heat.
Whisk in 6oz. shredded medium cheddar, one hand full at a time, until it is melted into the sauce. If needed, put the pot back over a low flame to help it melt, but the residual heat should do most of the work.
Finally, season the sauce with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp chili powder.
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings if needed. And thats it! Now you have real ingredient, really delicious, homemade nacho cheese sauce.
This post either just ruined your life or made your day. Or maybe both.
Faqs About Making Nacho Cheese Sauce
Can I use any other cheese besides cheddar?
You can use Monterey Jack for that gooey texture or Pepper jack for a kick, but the tang from sharp cheddar is what makes nachos so good!
My cheese sauce is too thick?
If your sauce has cooled down slightly itll become thicker. An easy fix for this is just to add some more milk and warm over a low heat to bring I back to the consistency you want.
Is Velveeta the same thing?
No, Velveeta is a highly processed product that tastes like cheese.
Can I make my nacho cheese sauce ahead of time?
You can, to reheat just place the sauce back into a pan over a low heat until it begins to melt. Add some milk gradually until the sauce is smooth and pourable.
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How To Make A Smooth Cheese Sauce
A common complaint when making cheese sauce without processed cheese is that the sauce turns out grainy. Here are my tips for making a super smooth homemade cheese sauce:
How To Make Nacho Cheese Sauce
1. Toss shredded cheese and cornstarch together so your cheese gets coated and you dont end up with any big cornstarch lumps in your sauce. The cornstarch will help thicken your nacho sauce and prevent it from curdling.
2. Heat evaporated milk over medium heat until milk just begins to simmer.
3. Remove the milk from heat and stir in the cheese, a handful at a time, until all the cheese has been incorporated and it has completely melted into the sauce.
4. Add hot sauce, salt, and cayenne, and then taste and add more if needed.
5. And the final, most important step: drizzle your homemade nacho cheese over something delicious, and try not to eat the entire pot.
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Spicy Nacho Cheese Sauce
This is my favorite recipe for cheese dipping sauce. This spicy nacho cheese sauce is absolutely awesome with veggies, soft pretzels, and nachos! None of that processed stuff, either.
Seriously! What is better than a bowl of silky, creamy, spicy nacho cheese sauce? Nothing. A far cry from processed, this spicy nacho cheese sauce is to die for. I love serving it with soft pretzel bites or pouring on top of a big bowl of broccoli. Its how I get everyone to their vegetables. Just kidding but not really.
Making nacho cheese sauce at home is not difficult. Its actually one of the easiest and quickest little recipes around. There is no excuse to buy anything from a can or from a jar. Homemade cheese sauce, made from real sharp cheddar cheese, is the only way to go. Plus, it tastes worlds better.
I love serving this spicy nacho cheese sauce right from the stove when its warm. But this cheese sauce keeps well covered tightly in the refrigerator for about 1 week. Just heat it up before serving its a great item to make ahead before the guests arrive.
Tools For This Recipe
– Check out all of my kitchen essentials here.
- Box Cheese Grater Always shred cheese from a block for creamy/melty results. Bagged shredded cheese contains cellulose and prevents it from melting as well in soups/sauces.
- Mini Crock Perfect for keeping this warm for serving.
- Measuring spoons I love that these are magnetic. They keep my drawer neat.
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Troubleshooting And Storage Tips
To get the desired consistency, you can add ¼ cup grated cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese and a bit more milk. Do not use pre shredded cheese as it is coated to keep it from being sticky.
There may be several reasons that the texture of the sauce doesnt turn out. Here are a couple common mistakes:
- It was heated too quickly and or cooked for too long.
- Another way to keep a smooth texture is to slowly add the milk to the roux. Whisk thoroughly and make sure that all of the roux has been mixed into the milk.
- Your milk did not have enough fat use 2% or whole milk
- Keep the nacho cheese warm, otherwise it may begin to harden and solidify.
STORE leftover nacho cheese in the fridge in an airtight container for 4-5 days. Reheat in a saucepan over low heat.
For more dips and sauces, check out:
How To Keep Nacho Cheese Warm:
- You can use a warming plate.
- Another idea is a small crock pot. This small 1.5 quart crock pot is perfect if it is just for family or a small group. We use this a lot when we make dip recipes. They are inexpensive and super handy. Now, if you are making it for a crowd or throwing a party, you might want double the recipe and use a 3 quart crock pot to have more room.
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Gluten Free Nacho Cheese Sauce
Gluten Free Nacho Cheese Sauce is creamy, cheesy, and a cinch to make with everyday ingredients – no processed cheese required!
Its a well known fact that nachos are my favorite food. My kids know it. The internet knows it. It doesnt get more official than that.
In our younger years, Ben and I even went on a lengthy Tour de Nacho around town, searching for the very best of what central Iowa had to offer in terms of chips, cheese, and all the fixins.
Spoiler alert: any place using nacho cheese sauce was immediately placed at the top of the list. Melted shredded cheese is good, but nothing beats drippy, homemade, gluten free nacho cheese sauce!
How To Make Nacho Cheese Sauce:
Be sure to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions!
Once you get your nacho cheese sauce to the perfect consistency, its ready to go! Serve it while its hot with some fresh tortilla chips .
If you manage to have any leftovers, just store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat it on the stove, stirring consistently until its heated all the way through. Add extra evaporated milk if need be.
This homemade nacho cheese sauce recipe is about to blow you away! Make this easy cheese dip for game day, for any party, or for a quick little snack.
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With only two ingredients, these nachos are a cinch to make. Layering the chips and cheese ensures that every chip has molten goodness on it. Once youve mastered that, level up with these very easy pantry dinners.
This recipe was featured as part of our Nacho Recipes photo gallery.
Nachos Are Easy To Make
When entertaining friends and family, especially when entertaining or watching a big game, if you are like me you want to keep it simple. Nachos can really be a throw it all together and enjoy type of thing. When Im entertaining, I love those type of recipes.
I get easily distracted and side tracked, so complicated recipes are a no-go if Im trying to make something while interacting. This is such a great option to throw together quickly and easily while hanging out with your guests. They can even help out.
Sometimes we get so focused on creating the perfect meal when entertaining, that we get more wrapped up in that than spending quality time with our guests.
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