{"id":1977395,"date":"2024-04-03T17:16:56","date_gmt":"2024-04-23T15:41:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/?post_type=recipe&p=1977395"},"modified":"2024-08-28T13:10:14","modified_gmt":"2024-08-28T18:10:14","slug":"nacho-cheese-sauce","status":"publish","type":"recipe","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/recipes\/nacho-cheese-sauce\/","title":{"rendered":"Nacho Cheese Sauce"},"content":{"rendered":"
Nacho cheese sauce is a ballpark tradition. I can’t help but order it when I see the cheese pump beckoning me from behind the concession stand. I know the tortilla chips will be stale, and I don’t even care. I order the nachos anyway so that I can enjoy the silky-smooth sauce that smothers them. The only thing I don’t love about the sauce is that it’s made with a lot of processed ingredients.<\/p>\n
So we make our nacho cheese sauce recipe the way it’s meant to be made: with all-natural ingredients. It starts with a three-ingredient basic white sauce<\/a> (one of the first things I learned to make in culinary school). Also called “bechamel,” this white sauce is the foundation of many great recipes from lasagna with bechamel<\/a> to chicken fried steak and gravy<\/a>, plus beloved cheesy sauces in old-fashioned macaroni and cheese<\/a>.<\/p>\n Once you have your white sauce ready, you can customize the cheese and final flavors to your tastes. Use American cheese for a mild, creamy sauce or cheddar cheese (my favorite!) for a bolder, cheesier character. Add cumin and chili powder to give the sauce some serious taco vibes, or give it heat with cayenne powder. No matter what flavor profile you choose, this homemade nacho cheese sauce will be ready to eat in just 10 minutes.<\/p>\n If you enjoy cheese, you must try this cheese pate<\/span><\/a> as well.<\/p>\n In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour until smooth. Then, gradually whisk in the milk.<\/p>\n Stir in the chili powder, cumin and salt. Bring the sauce to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook and stir until thickened, one to two minutes.<\/p>\n Reduce the heat to low. Add the cheese, and stir until melted.<\/p>\n Editor’s Tip:\u00a0<\/em>Be careful with the heat once you add the cheese. High heat can cause cheese sauces to break, where the water and oil separate and the sauce gains a curdled, grainy texture. If it happens, don’t fret! Here’s how to save a broken sauce<\/a>.<\/p>\n Nacho cheese sauce stores well, so it’s a great make-ahead appetizer<\/a>. Store leftover nacho cheese sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. The sauce will thicken as it cools, but it should loosen back up once reheated.<\/p>\n Reheat nacho cheese sauce in a covered heatproof container in the microwave for a minute or two, stirring occasionally. Or cook it in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. If the sauce is too thick, whisk in extra milk 1 tablespoon at a time.<\/p>\n You can technically use any melting cheese<\/a> for nacho cheese sauce, but we’ve found that some cheeses work better than others. Mild or medium cheddar cheese is our favorite because it melts smoothly and adds a robust flavor. Aged cheddar has more complexity, but it doesn’t melt as well, becoming oily or gritty when overheated. American cheese, Monterey Jack or Colby are also fantastic options for homemade nacho cheese sauce.<\/p>\n And then there’s Velveeta. This processed cheese melts easily and has an iconic, somewhat nostalgic character. If you’re specifically looking for a cheese sauce for nachos made with Velveeta, check out our recipes for chili cheese dip<\/a> or loaded cowboy queso<\/a>.<\/p>\n Nacho cheese sauce works as a dip for tortilla chips, breadsticks<\/a> or soft pretzels like pretzel nuggets<\/a>. It’s thin enough to use as a drizzling sauce, making it our go-to cheese sauce for movie-style nachos, smothered burritos, cheesy tater tots or loaded waffle fries<\/a>. This sauce also tastes fantastic drizzled over baked potatoes, omelets, roasted broccoli or grilled asparagus.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This nacho cheese sauce recipe gives you a smooth, creamy, cheesy and rich sauce with a little heat, just like the stuff they use at stadiums and ballparks. Ours is made with all-natural ingredients and can be ready in 10 minutes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7954,"featured_media":1977683,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"ep_exclude_from_search":false},"tags":[306928,306910,305982,304328,305271,305487,304338,303966,303887,306848,305374,304350,324623,304016,305395,304005,303883],"categories-v2":[309924,309906,311717,308984,308481,309216,310796,308992,308495,308478,309603,309381,309001,309177,308579,309413,308549,308476],"coauthors":[50034],"recommended_recipes":[{"post_title":"Nacho Cheese Dip","post_link":"\/recipes\/nacho-cheese-dip\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Nacho-Cheese-Dip_EXPS_TOHON19_485_E06_18_10b.jpg"},{"post_title":"Cheddar Cheese Sauce","post_link":"\/recipes\/cheddar-cheese-sauce\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/recipeFallback.jpg"},{"post_title":"Chipotle Cheese 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Cook and stir until thickened, one to two minutes.","image":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Nacho-Cheese-Sauce_TOHVS24_275854_03_28_2.jpg?fit=700,1024"},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Add the cheese","text":"Reduce the heat to low. Add the cheese, and stir until melted. Editor's Tip: Be careful with the heat once you add the cheese. High heat can cause cheese sauces to break, where the water and oil separate and the sauce gains a curdled, grainy texture. If it happens, don't fret! Here's how to save a broken sauce.","image":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Nacho-Cheese-Sauce_TOHVS24_275854_03_28_3.jpg?fit=700,1024"}],"recipeYield":"3 cups","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Lindsay D. 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\n
Directions<\/h2>\n
Step 1: Make the white sauce base<\/h3>\n
Taste Recipes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Step 2: Add the seasonings<\/h3>\n
Taste Recipes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Step 3: Add the cheese<\/h3>\n
Taste Recipes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
TASTE OF HOME<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Recipe Variations<\/h2>\n
\n
How to Store Nacho Cheese Sauce<\/h2>\n
Nacho Cheese Sauce Tips<\/h2>\n
Taste Recipes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
What is the best cheese for nacho cheese sauce?<\/h3>\n
How do you serve nacho cheese sauce?<\/h3>\n