Make a smooth, lump-free nacho cheese sauce on the stovetop in under 10 minutes. This recipe uses simple ingredients for a perfect dip or topping.
Author:Clara Braise
Prep Time:5 min
Cook Time:7 min
Total Time:12 min
Yield:About 1.5 cups
Category:Appetizer
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, packed
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, packed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
Whisk in the flour and cook for one minute, stirring constantly to create a roux.
Gradually whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth. Cook, stirring often, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 3 to 5 minutes. Do not let it boil rapidly.
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, a handful at a time, stirring until each addition is completely melted and smooth before adding more.
Stir in the salt and paprika until combined.
Serve immediately as a dip or topping.
Notes
For the smoothest texture, shred your own cheese rather than using pre-shredded varieties, as pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
If the sauce thickens too much while sitting, whisk in a tablespoon of milk or water until you reach your desired consistency.
This sauce works well as a topping for fries, pretzels, or as a dip for tortilla chips.