The Absolute Best Type Of Cheese For Nachos
If you like both tortilla chips and cheese, chances are you like nachos too. All nacho recipes start out with those two ingredients, and from there you can customize them to your liking. Bobby Flay, for example, likes to make his sweet and sour with pickled onions or chiles and fresh Fresno or jalapeño peppers. Adding meat is always a popular option as well, and there are even different nontraditional styles, including Indian and Irish.
While there are plenty of interesting toppings that can elevate the flavor of your nachos, its really the cheese that holds it all together. Without the right type of cheese, or worse, no cheese at all, your nachos just wont taste the same. Ever wonder why you dont normally see nachos made with cheeses like parmesan or feta? The answer has everything to do with taste, texture, and meltability.
Take these factors into consideration when selecting cheese for your nachos and youll have perfect results every time.
Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce
Nacho Cheese Sauce is ridiculously easy to make, and tastes so much better than store bought. Enjoy it as a dip or on a plate of nachos.
Nacho Cheese Sauce is ridiculously easy to make, and tastes so much better than store bought. Enjoy it as a dip or on a plate of nachos.
Nacho cheese sauce is so stinkin delicious. It is basically a cheese gravy, and whats not to like about that? This is good as a dip with tortilla chips, or on a giant plate of nachos. However you like it, you are going to love this cheese sauce.
Lets talk cheese choices. You have many options when it comes to nacho cheese sauce, and they are all delicious in their own unique ways. Velveeta is a processed American cheese, and is a standard option when it comes to nacho cheese sauce. It will be thicker, smoother, and creamier than a shredded cheese. You can also use your standard cheddar cheese or other favorite melting cheese, which will make a thinner, slightly grainer sauce.
The History Of Nachos
I live 4 1/2 hours from the birthplace of nachos. Ignacio Nacho Anaya created the binge-worthy dish for a group of U.S. Army wives in the border town of Piedras Negras, Mexico, just across the border from Eagle Pass, Texas.
The women loved it and Nachos especiales turned into the nachos we all know and love. As a former Army wife myself, I can just imagine sitting down to experience this Tex-Mex staple for the first time with my friends.
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Dont: Use Fussy Cheese
When it comes to cheese, classic is best. Its tempting to try something different and get something thats a little bit more interesting, but I think the classics are the classics for a reason and they deliver on flavor and nostalgia, Figueroa said. So its hard to go wrong with a mild cheddar. Theres an argument to be made for grating your own cheese , but if you have a bag of shredded cheese on hand its totally fine to use that.
Can I Make This In Advance
Yes. Unlike a lot of cheese sauces, this sauce reheats pretty well . It will solidify in the refrigerator but returns to its pourable state when reheated. To reheat:
- On the stove: Transfer sauce to a small saucepan and reheat gently over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Do not allow to come to a boil.
- In the microwave: Microwave in a microwave-safe dish, stopping to stir sauce every 10-15 seconds as needed until just heated through. Heads up, the sauce will pop and sizzle in the microwave.
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How To Use Nacho Cheese Sauce
There is no wrong way of using nacho cheese sauce! Just pair it up with whatever youre eating!
Having fried chicken? Side it with some cheese sauce! Got some fries? Top em with some creamy cheese sauce! Snacking on some tortilla chips? Dip em in nacho cheese sauce! Are those nuggets? Smother them with that nacho cheese sauce! Veggies, nachos, tacos, you name it!
I mean, you can add nacho cheese dip to anything to make it taste heavenly!
I know youre drooling right now! So, let me get straight to the recipe!
What Are The Main Ingredients Are In Nachos
Tortilla Chips
Start with your tortilla chips. Any brand you like will do.
That said, I do recommend that you avoid using the thinner style tortilla chips. While I love the thin chips for eating with salsa, something with a bit more heft to it works well for nachos. A standard size bag fits on a standard sized cookie sheet nicely.
Cheese
Once you have your chips on your baking sheet, its time for the cheese.For the standard size bag of chips, a one pound block of cheese works nicely.
In my opinion, the best cheese for nachos includes:
- A combination of any of the above
Grate Your Own Cheese
Buying your cheese pre-grated works, but I find it never melts as well as when I grate it myself. If you look on the ingredient list for pre-shredded cheeses, youll notice that anti-clumping agents like cellulose added. Cellulose isnt high on my list of toppings.
Grating your own cheese really is key to getting that great, cheesy, melty thing we all love with nachos. As an added bonus, its almost always more cost effective to grate your own cheese. That said, sometimes convenience just wins. So if pre-grated cheese is what works for you, then go with it. It will be delicious, I promise!
Liquid Cheese Sauce
As you can tell, these are not made with the liquid style nacho cheese sauce. We prefer both the taste, and ease, of making our nachos with shredded cheese, and baking them in the oven.
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How To Store Queso
I always question the best way to store leftovers and how long will leftovers last. To store extra queso, youll want to allow it to cool and then place it in an airtight container. You can keep the queso in your refrigerator for 2-3 days.
You can also freeze extra queso by placing it into an airtight storage container or plastic zip-closure bas and then place in the freezer. To thaw, place the queso in the refrigerator for 1-2 days and then warm slowly in the microwave or on the stovetop.
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Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce Recipe
It really doesnt get better than this liquid gold drizzled over crispy tortilla chips. Forget that snack youre used to eating at movie theaters and stadiums, my nacho cheese dip is so much tastier and creamier. I love that its a super easy recipe that you can quickly whip up on the stovetop.
This easy cheese dip is great as a last minute party dip for unexpected guests, or make a double batch for a party and keep it warm in a crockpot. If Im being totally honest, Ill make this just on movie night for me and my hubby! It definitely satisfies those late night cheesy cravings.
So load up a plate with your favorite chips or veggies and whip up this yummy dip for your next movie night, game day party or just when the craving hits.
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Why Youll Love This Nacho Cheese Sauce Recipe:
- CHEESY: This hot, melty, liquidy cheese sauce is the definition of cheesy! Its so delicious, rich, and flavorful.
- QUICK & EASY: This recipe is so easy to make. You only need 4 or 5 ingredients, and about 5 minutes to fully melt the cheese. Have it ready in minutes!
- ANY TIME DIP: Its perfect for snacks, appetizers, parties, game day, Cinco de Mayo, Taco Night, or absolutely any time you need something quick.
I originally made it for this Cheesy Pretzel Crust Pizza, but now Im using it for all my dipping needs. This easy Nacho Cheese Sauce recipe can be made in just 5 minutes, so it will be ready for dipping in a flash!
What Kind Of Flour Can I Use
You can use regular all-purpose flour for this recipe, we used gluten free 1-1 flour. But, you can even use self-rising flour if thats all you have!
A word of caution, I have not gone out of my way to experiment with wheat flour or even other gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or coconut flour.
So, I cant say that those ones work, but youre welcome to try it out and then come back to comment how your cheese sauce turned out. I am very genuinely curious if it works with other flours.
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The Perfect Cheddar Cheese Sauce
Having the perfect cheddar cheese sauce in your back pocket at all times is an A+ idea. I mean, just think of all the times you needed a cheese sauce to mix with noodles or top your steamed veggies with!
We have a handful of amazing cheese sauces on Cheese Knees . This white cheddar cheese sauce is as basic as it gets and is so easy to make with a roux, milk, and shredded cheese.
Can I Use Whole Milk Instead Of Evaporated Milk
Yes, although the sauce will have a much thinner consistency because fresh milk is lower in fat, milk solids, and protein. It also doesnt contain thickening agents like carrageenan that give a velvety texture. The difference is that when the cheese sauce cools down, the whole milk version will not thicken as quickly for a slightly longer dipping time.
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Tips For Making Queso Even Better
Queso is a great base for creating all sorts of dips. Here are some ideas:
- You can switch up the yellow cheddar with a pepper jack or white cheddar to create white queso.
- Bulk up your queso by adding a pound of cooked, crumbled chorizo or taco meat.
- Steamed sweet corn, bacon, or even brisket are also great stir-ins.
Think beyond the chip! Queso makes a great topping for steamed veggies, baked potatoes, and hot dogs as well.
For this recipe, Im just topping my queso with a vibrant pico de gallo.
Create That Smooth Silky Sauce
A combination of cornstarch and evaporated milk creates that silky smooth sauce. Let them simmer together and thicken slightly before adding your cheese.
TIP: Taste test dip with the chips youre serving them with so as not to over-salt! Adjust seasonings if needed.
Take the experience to a whole other level by frying up your own Tortilla chips! Just cut tortillas into triangles shallow fry in oil, drain on a paper towel lined plate and season straight away with flaky sea salt.
Youll love them more than store bought chips!
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Can You Make This Dip In Advance
Yes, you can. Once made, this dip can be stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container until ready to eat. However, the dips consistency will become almost a solid once chilled and will need to be reheated to become a creamy liquid again.
If the dip is too thick once reheated, try adding a few splashes of milk. Or, if you find the dip is too watery, just heat the dip until some of the moisture cooks out.
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Why This Nacho Cheese Sauce Is The Best:
- Real ingredients. This recipe uses freshly grated cheddar cheese, not processed cheese from a block. You’ll be able to notice the difference in the taste.
- Only three ingredients needed. You’re going to be amazed at how simple, delicious, and easy this cheese sauce is to make.
- Amazing texture. Cooking with evaporated milk gives you a super smooth and creamy nacho cheese sauce. Other recipes that start with a roux can cause your sauce to separate. They can also be easier to ruin if you’re not careful with the temperature.
- Simple and easy recipe. This homemade nacho cheese is essentially fool proof as long as you don’t heat it above a medium heat and remove it from the heat once it’s fully melted. So easy!
- Versatile. Nacho cheese sauce is fantastic on tortilla chips, of course, but it can also be used in so many other recipes.
Once you make my homemade nacho cheese, you’ll never again make nachos by sprinkling shredded cheese on chips and sticking them in the oven or microwave, or by using a pre-made nacho cheese, or by using one made from a block of non-dairy cheese. It’s that delicious and easy!
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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.
Baking Soda Vs Lye In Baked Pretzels
- Some pretzel recipes will have you use lye to soak the pretzels in. Giving the pretzels a wee bath in lye helps to speed up the Maillard reaction, which gives the pretzels that lovely brown colour and chew. However, lye is caustic and scary, so I used something a little less alkaline but still very effective baked baking soda. Baking soda is moderately alkaline, but baking it produces sodium carbonate, which is slightly more alkaline, so therefore perfect for dipping your pretzels without having to worry about the safety risk of using Lye. Yay chemistry!
- To make baked baking soda: Line a sheet pan with foil, and spread 1 cup of baking soda evenly over it. Bake at 250f / 121c for one hour, then transfer to an airtight container. This will be enough for four batches of pretzels you use ¼ cup at a time.
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Ideas For Flavor Enhancements
If youre using a really good quality, flavorful cheddar, the nacho cheese sauce should be very flavorful even with these few ingredients. However, if you wish to add other ingredients, here are my suggestions.
- Add 2 tsp Taco Seasoning or Fajita Seasoning
- Add 1 tbsp of your favorite hot sauce
- Saute 1 tbsp minced jalapeno and 2 tbsp minced onion at the beginning with the butter
Storage And Reheating Instructions:
Nacho cheese sauce is best eaten fresh. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat either in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until heated through, or in a saucepan on the stove over medium heat.
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How Can I Use This Cheese Sauce
There are so many ways to use this quick and easy cheese sauce! Of course its ideal for nachos, but thats not where it ends.
Dip chips, pretzel bites, fries, tater tots, taquitos, and any number of things in it. Pour it over enchiladas, tacos, fajitas, chicken, or rice.
This cheese sauce is great for more of a dipping nacho. But you can certainly pour it over tortilla chips and add more toppings to make the perfect nachos. Theres something about sliced jalapenos and black olives on top that makes a simple yet delicious snack!
Youll find so many ways to use this, itll be your new go-to!
All the Queso
Can Nacho Cheese Be Lactose Free
Yes! Just note that Im talking about lactose free, not dairy free! For a good lactose free option, make sure to use lactose free whole milk like Fair Life or Horizon Organic. I dont recommend recommend Lactaid, because that milk is quite sweet.
As far as butter, you can use plant based unsalted butter. I prefer the Green Valley Creamery brand for butter . You can use the plant based butter you like.
When it comes to cheese, most aged cheeses are naturally lactose free! If you look at the nutritional information on the cheese packaging, it will likely state lactose free right on the package or will show 0 next to sugar content. So, check the nutritional information of the cheese block you choose if youre on a lactose free diet.
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Homemade Cheese Sauce Faqs
What is a Cheese Sauce made of?
Homemade cheese sauce consists of cheese, milk, a roux made up of butter and flour, and the seasonings of your choice. Its incredibly simple and so delicious!
What is a good melting cheese for sauce?
I love to keep it classic with sharp cheddar, but any melty cheese works great. Try Asiago, white cheddar, fontina, gouda, gruyere, havarti, Monterey jack, mozzarella, you name it. You can even use a combination. Whatever you do, shred the cheese yourself! Pre-shredded cheese includes anti-caking agents which prevent it from melting smoothly.
How to store:
Leftover sauce will last in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm in the microwave or on low on the stove until heated through. You may want to add a splash of milk or water to thin the sauce when reheating.
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