Description
This creamy cheddar cheese sauce is rich, smooth, and packed with cheesy flavor! Perfect for drizzling over vegetables, pasta, nachos, or as a dipping sauce for pretzels and fries. It’s easy to make and comes together in just minutes!
Ingredients
Scale
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- ½ cup salted butter
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- ½ cup all-purpose flour
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- 5 cups whole milk
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- 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
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- 2 cups shredded gruyere or Monterey Jack cheese (or more cheddar)
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- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
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- 1 ½ tsp kosher salt plus more to taste
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- 1 tsp onion powder
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- ½ tsp black pepper
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- ½ tsp paprika
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- ½ tsp garlic powder
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- 1 lb macaroni cooked
Instructions
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- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
Image Placeholder: Butter melting in a saucepan. Alt text: Getting ready to make the ultimate cheddar cheese sauce recipe.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
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- Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to form a roux. This step is crucial for a smooth sauce.
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- Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring there are no lumps.
Image Placeholder: Adding milk to the roux for cheese sauce recipe.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring there are no lumps.
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- Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly.
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- Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
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- Remove the saucepan from the heat.
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- Add the cheddar cheese, gruyere (or Monterey Jack), and parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
Image Placeholder: Adding cheese to the sauce.
- Add the cheddar cheese, gruyere (or Monterey Jack), and parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
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- Stir in the salt, onion powder, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
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- If serving with macaroni, add the cooked macaroni to the sauce and stir to combine.
Image Placeholder: Cheddar cheese sauce and macaroni noodles.
- If serving with macaroni, add the cooked macaroni to the sauce and stir to combine.
Notes
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, whisk in a splash of milk to loosen it.
- Use freshly grated cheddar for the best melting texture—pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can affect smoothness.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 150 Kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: cheddar cheese sauce, homemade cheese sauce, easy cheese sauce, nacho cheese sauce, cheese dip