Queso Cheese Sauce
Get ready to elevate your snack game with this irresistible Queso Cheese Sauce—a rich, creamy blend of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, infused with the zesty kick of diced green chiles and warm spices like cumin, garlic, and onion powders. This easy-to-make sauce starts with a buttery roux for the perfect velvety texture, with milk and heavy cream bringing a luscious creaminess that clings to every tortilla chip or drizzles beautifully over nachos. Ready in just 15 minutes, this queso is perfect for game nights, parties, or as a Tex-Mex-inspired topping for tacos and burritos. Whether you like it mild or with a touch of heat from optional cayenne, this queso cheese sauce is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 4 ounces diced green chiles (canned)
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
In a medium-sized saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
Once the butter is melted, whisk in the flour, stirring constantly for about 1 minute to cook out the raw flour taste. This creates a roux.
Gradually add the whole milk and heavy cream to the saucepan, whisking continuously to create a smooth, lump-free mixture. Cook until the mixture thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and slowly stir in the shredded sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, one handful at a time, allowing each addition to melt completely before adding the next.
Stir in the diced green chiles, garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin, salt, and cayenne pepper (if using). Mix thoroughly until fully incorporated and the queso is smooth and creamy.
Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. If the sauce is too thick, you can thin it out with a splash of milk or cream.
Serve immediately while warm. Queso cheese sauce is best enjoyed as a dip for tortilla chips, a topping for nachos, or a sauce for burritos and tacos.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
283 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 23.4 g | 30% | |
| Saturated Fat | 14.7 g | 73% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 71 mg | 24% | |
| Sodium | 428 mg | 19% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 6.8 g | 2% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.5 g | 2% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.5 g | ||
| Protein | 11.3 g | 23% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.7 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 322 mg | 25% | |
| Iron | 0.3 mg | 1% | |
| Potassium | 101 mg | 2% | |
*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.
