Homemade Cheese Sauce Recipe
Cheese sauce is a creamy and versatile condiment that can be used in various dishes such as pasta, vegetables, and meats. Learn how to make the best cheese sauce with tips and methods for thickening, using ingredients like flour, cornstarch, cream cheese, and more.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
- 1 cup of milk
- 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add the flour and whisk it in until it forms a smooth paste. Keep whisking for about a minute until the mixture starts to turn golden brown.
- Gradually add the milk while whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Keep whisking until the mixture becomes smooth and thickened.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the shredded cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Be careful not to let the sauce boil, as this can cause the cheese to become stringy or grainy.
- Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Keep in mind that cheese can be quite salty, so start with a small amount of salt and adjust as needed.
- Once the sauce is ready, you can use it immediately or store it in the fridge for later use. If the sauce thickens too much in the fridge, simply reheat it in a saucepan over low heat and add a splash of milk to thin it out.
Video
Notes
- Use a good quality cheese for the best flavor. Cheddar is a classic choice, but you can also experiment with other types of cheese like gouda, pepper jack, or blue cheese.
- If you want a smoother sauce, you can strain it through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps or bits of cheese that didn't fully melt.
- For a spicier cheese sauce, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can use less milk or add more cheese. Conversely, if you want a thinner sauce, you can add more milk or use less cheese.