Description
This rich and creamy nacho cheese sauce is the perfect topping for crispy fries. Made with real cheese, butter, milk, and simple seasonings, it delivers bold flavor and ultra-smooth texture. This easy homemade recipe avoids preservatives and artificial ingredients, creating a restaurant-style cheese sauce that coats fries beautifully. Ideal for parties, game nights, or quick comfort snacks, it’s customizable in spice and thickness to suit every taste preference.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk (warm)
- 1 ½ cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese (optional for extra creaminess)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- Salt to taste
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Add flour and whisk continuously for 1–2 minutes to create a smooth roux.
- Slowly pour in warm milk while whisking to prevent lumps.
- Cook until the mixture thickens slightly.
- Reduce heat to low and add shredded cheese gradually, stirring gently until fully melted.
- Add seasonings and mix well.
- Adjust thickness with small splashes of milk if needed.
- Pour immediately over hot, crispy fries and serve.
Notes
- Always use freshly shredded cheese for the smoothest texture.
- Keep heat low when adding cheese to prevent graininess.
- For a spicier version, add chopped jalapeños or extra cayenne.
- Sauce thickens as it cools; thin with warm milk when reheating.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.