Kamil Perry
Cheese sauce is a versatile and delicious addition to many dishes, from nachos and veggies to baked potatoes and casseroles. Making cheese sauce is a simple process that can be done in less than 10 minutes with just a handful of common ingredients like butter, flour, milk, and of course, cheese. The type of cheese is up to personal preference, but full-fat, freshly shredded cheese is recommended for the smoothest sauce. This sauce can be customised with seasonings like cayenne, salt, and pepper, and can be frozen for later use, although its texture may change.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Butter, flour, milk, and cheese |
| Cheese type | Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Guyere |
| Butter type | Salted or unsalted |
| Flour type | All-purpose |
| Milk type | Any percentage, but higher fat content will make the sauce smoother and creamier |
| Cheese consistency | Full-fat cheese that is grated yourself will melt more smoothly |
| Cooking time | Less than 10 minutes |
| Yield | 1 cup of sauce, serving 2 people |
| Storage | Can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated, but best eaten right after cooking |
| Freezing | Can be frozen for up to 3 months, but may become grainy |
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What You'll Learn
Ingredients: cheddar, milk, butter, and flour
To make a delicious cheese sauce with cheddar, milk, butter, and flour, follow these steps:
First, prepare your ingredients. You will need butter, flour, milk, and cheddar cheese. For the cheese, it is best to use full-fat, sharp cheddar that you shred yourself, as pre-shredded cheese can make your sauce lumpy. You will also need a saucepan, a whisk, and a stovetop.
Once you have gathered your ingredients and equipment, start by making a roux. This is a fancy word for a butter and flour paste. Melt the butter in your saucepan over medium heat, then add the flour. Whisk the butter and flour together until they form a paste. Keep cooking and whisking the mixture until it turns a light tan colour and smells nutty. This should take around 3-4 minutes. Make sure you don't burn the roux, as this will affect the taste of your sauce.
Now it's time to add the milk. Slowly drizzle the milk into the flour-butter mixture, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Start with 2 cups of milk and add more if needed, depending on your desired thickness. Keep whisking the mixture until it thickens and becomes bubbly. This should take a few minutes.
Finally, it's time to add the cheese. Once your sauce has reached the desired consistency, remove it from the heat and stir in the cheese. Add the cheese a handful at a time, whisking until it is fully melted and combined. Season with salt, pepper, and cayenne to taste.
Your cheddar cheese sauce is now ready to serve! This sauce is perfect for macaroni and cheese, nachos, or as a dip for vegetables. Enjoy!
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Method: melt butter, whisk in flour, add milk, then cheese
To make a cheese sauce, you'll need butter, flour, milk, and cheese. You can use salted or unsalted butter, and all-purpose flour. For the cheese, it's best to use full-fat cheese that you grate yourself, as pre-shredded cheese can contain additives that affect the texture of your sauce. Sharp cheddar is a popular choice, but you can also use mild or extra sharp cheddar, or other cheeses like Monterey Jack or Guyere.
Start by melting the butter in a small pot over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook, whisking continuously, until the mixture forms a paste and turns a lightly golden colour. This should take about a minute and will cook out the raw flour taste.
Next, slowly pour in the milk, whisking continuously to remove any lumps. Continue whisking the mixture until it thickens and becomes bubbly, which should take around 3 to 4 minutes.
Once the sauce has thickened, remove it from the heat and stir in the cheese a handful at a time until it's fully incorporated and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Add seasonings like cayenne, salt, and pepper to taste.
Your cheese sauce is now ready to serve! It's perfect for pouring over nachos, tacos, burritos, or breakfast dishes. You can also use it as a topping for vegetables or baked potatoes.
If you have any leftover sauce, you can store it in the refrigerator and reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. However, it's best enjoyed fresh, as it may not be as smooth and creamy after refrigeration and reheating.
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Consistency: thicken with equal parts flour to butter
Cheese sauce is a versatile dish that can be used as a topping for nachos, baked potatoes, or steamed vegetables, or as a dip. It can also be tossed with cooked macaroni to make mac and cheese. While cheese sauce is typically made with a roux—a mixture of butter and flour—it can be thickened with equal parts flour to butter.
To make a cheese sauce thickened with equal parts flour to butter, start by adding two tablespoons of unsalted butter to a medium-sized saucepan. Heat the butter over medium-high heat until it melts. Next, whisk in two tablespoons of all-purpose flour until a paste forms. This mixture of butter and flour is called a roux, which is a common method for thickening sauces.
Once your roux is ready, it's time to add the dairy and cheese. For this recipe, you will need one cup of milk and two cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Stir the ingredients together until well combined. Continue whisking until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
It's important to note that cheese sauce tends to thicken as it cools, so if your sauce becomes too thick, simply stir in additional milk a tablespoon at a time while reheating the sauce over medium-low heat.
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Seasoning: cayenne, salt, and pepper
When making a cheese sauce, you can season with salt and pepper to taste. It is recommended to add a small amount of salt and pepper when creating the roux, whisking it in with the flour and butter. You can then taste and season with more salt and pepper as needed once the cheese has been added and melted.
Cayenne pepper can also be added to a cheese sauce for a little kick of heat. A few shakes of cayenne pepper can be added to the sauce, along with salt and pepper, to taste. Alternatively, you can add a teaspoon or less of cayenne pepper to the roux at the beginning of the cooking process.
If you are looking to make a spicier cheese sauce, you could also add chilli peppers, diced green chillies, or hot sauce.
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Serving suggestions: pour over nachos, tacos, or veggies
Homemade cheese sauce is a versatile dish that can be used in a variety of ways to elevate simple meals. One of the most popular ways to use cheese sauce is to pour it over nachos. The sauce adds a creamy texture and a burst of flavour to your nachos, making them even more delicious and indulgent. You can also use cheese sauce as a topping for tacos, adding a rich and savoury element to your Mexican feast. Simply drizzle the sauce over your tacos or use it as a dip for an extra cheesy treat.
Cheese sauce is also a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables. Pour it over steamed broccoli or roasted veggies for a quick and easy side dish that's both nutritious and indulgent. You can also use cheese sauce as a dip for raw veggies, such as carrots, celery, or peppers. This makes for a great snack or appetiser, especially for kids who might need a little extra encouragement to eat their veggies!
For a more substantial meal, try using cheese sauce in a casserole or baked dish. Layer your sauce with cooked pasta, vegetables, and meat for a hearty and comforting meal. You can also use cheese sauce as a topping for baked potatoes or French fries, adding a touch of luxury to this classic comfort food. Get creative with your toppings, such as bacon, green onions, and crushed crackers, to take your cheese sauce to the next level.
When making cheese sauce, it's important to use full-fat cheese that you grate yourself, as pre-shredded cheese can contain additives that affect the smoothness of your sauce. You can use a variety of cheeses, such as sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Guyere, depending on your preference. By making your own cheese sauce, you can control the ingredients and customise it to your taste, adding spices such as cayenne pepper for an extra kick.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need butter, flour, milk, and cheese.
A strong, sharp, or bold-flavoured cheese is best. Cheddar is a popular choice.
Reduced-fat cheeses melt differently than full-fat cheeses, so it is best to use full-fat cheese for a smooth sauce.
First, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and stir until it forms a paste (roux). Gradually add milk while whisking to prevent clumping. Finally, add cheese over low heat until melted.
Yes, cheese sauce can be frozen for up to 3 months. However, it may become grainy after thawing. To reheat, place in a saucepan with a small amount of water and heat gently over low heat while whisking.
