Low Sodium Classic Cheddar Cheese Sauce
Experience the creamy, indulgent flavor of this Low Sodium Classic Cheddar Cheese Sauce, a healthier twist on a timeless favorite. Perfect for those watching their sodium intake, this velvety sauce combines the rich tang of sharp cheddar with a balanced mix of aromatic spices like ground mustard, paprika, and garlic powder for a flavor-packed punch. Crafted with a simple roux base of unsalted butter and flour, and thickened with whole milk, this quick 25-minute recipe achieves the ideal silky texture. Whether you're drizzling it over steamed vegetables, pairing it with pasta, or using it as a dip, this low sodium cheese sauce is a versatile, crowd-pleasing accompaniment you'll come back to again and again.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 0.25 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon ground mustard powder
- 0.25 teaspoon paprika
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.25 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat until it begins to bubble.
Sprinkle in the flour and whisk continuously for about 1-2 minutes, ensuring the mixture doesn't brown, forming a smooth paste or roux.
Gradually add the milk to the roux, continuously whisking to prevent lumps from forming until the mixture is smooth.
Increase the heat slightly and continue to cook while whisking the sauce until it thickens and begins to bubble gently.
Reduce the heat to low and add the ground white pepper, ground mustard powder, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder, stirring well to combine the spices into the sauce base.
Add the shredded sharp cheddar cheese a handful at a time, stirring constantly. Allow each addition to melt completely before adding more cheese to ensure a smooth sauce.
Once all the cheese has been incorporated and the sauce is velvety and smooth, taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings if needed. Remove the sauce from the heat as soon as it is fully melted and blended. Avoid overcooking as it could cause the sauce to become grainy.
Serve the low sodium cheddar cheese sauce immediately over your favorite dish, and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1453 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 112.3 g | 144% | |
| Saturated Fat | 71.1 g | 356% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 361 mg | 120% | |
| Sodium | 1632 mg | 71% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 44.7 g | 16% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.3 g | 5% | |
| Total Sugars | 23.6 g | ||
| Protein | 74.5 g | 149% | |
| Vitamin D | 6.6 mcg | 33% | |
| Calcium | 2226 mg | 171% | |
| Iron | 2.7 mg | 15% | |
| Potassium | 1040 mg | 22% | |
*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.
