Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce
Creamy, velvety, and bursting with bold flavor, this homemade nacho cheese sauce is a game-changer for your snack cravings! Made from scratch with real ingredients like sharp cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and aromatic spices, this quick and easy recipe takes just 15 minutes to prepare and delivers a lusciously smooth texture that’s perfect for drizzling over tortilla chips or dipping your favorite snacks. A simple roux forms the base, while flavorful additions like garlic powder, paprika, and optional cayenne pepper elevate this classic sauce to restaurant-quality status. Whether for game day, movie nights, or casual gatherings, this crowd-pleasing nacho cheese sauce is guaranteed to become a go-to favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 1 cup Whole milk
- 1.5 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons Cream cheese
- 0.5 teaspoons Paprika
- 0.5 teaspoons Garlic powder
- 0.25 teaspoons Salt
- 0.25 teaspoons Cayenne pepper (optional, for spice)
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat.
Once the butter is melted, add the all-purpose flour and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste. The mixture should form a light golden paste (roux).
Gradually pour in the whole milk, whisking continuously to ensure there are no lumps. Keep stirring until the mixture thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
Lower the heat to medium-low and add the shredded cheddar cheese and cream cheese. Stir gently until the cheeses have completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Season the sauce with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and cayenne pepper (if using). Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
Remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool slightly. The sauce will thicken as it cools.
Serve immediately over tortilla chips, or store in an airtight container and reheat gently when needed. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
301 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 24.4 g | 31% | |
| Saturated Fat | 15.4 g | 77% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 74 mg | 25% | |
| Sodium | 441 mg | 19% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 8.2 g | 3% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.2 g | 1% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.5 g | ||
| Protein | 13.5 g | 27% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.1 mcg | 5% | |
| Calcium | 381 mg | 29% | |
| Iron | 0.4 mg | 2% | |
| Potassium | 150 mg | 3% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
