Description

This creamy homemade cheese sauce is a rich and flavorful addition to a variety of dishes. Made with a simple blend of butter, flour, milk, and sharp cheddar cheese, this sauce is thick, smooth, and infused with just a hint of onion powder and cayenne for a subtle kick. Perfect for drizzling over vegetables, baked potatoes, pasta, or nachos.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Wet Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter
2 cups whole milk
2 cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions

Melt the Butter and Cook Flour: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Gradually add the flour while continuously stirring with a whisk or wooden spoon. Cook the mixture until it becomes fragrant and lightly tan in color, approximately 2-3 minutes, to form a roux.
Add Milk and Seasonings: Slowly pour in the milk while constantly stirring or whisking to prevent lumps from forming. Stir in the onion powder, salt, and cayenne pepper. Continue stirring until the sauce begins to thicken, about 5-7 minutes.
Melt in the Cheese: Once the sauce has thickened to a creamy consistency, reduce the heat to low and add the shredded cheddar cheese gradually. Stir continuously until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
Serve: Remove the sauce from heat immediately to prevent it from becoming grainy. Serve warm over your favorite dishes.

Notes

Use freshly shredded cheese rather than pre-shredded for a smoother sauce.
Adjust cayenne pepper to taste if you prefer less or more heat.
For a thinner sauce, add more milk gradually until desired consistency is reached.
Keep stirring while heating to prevent lumps and sticking.
This sauce is best served immediately but can be reheated gently over low heat with a splash of milk.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Sauce
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Calories: 250
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 400mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 8g
Fiber: 0.5g
Protein: 10g
Cholesterol: 50mg

Keywords: cheese sauce, homemade cheese sauce, cheddar cheese sauce, creamy cheese sauce, sauce recipe