Randy Chandler
Cheese sauce is a versatile and delicious addition to many dishes, from vegetables to nachos and macaroni. Making a creamy cheese sauce at home is easy and quick, taking less than 15 minutes. The basic ingredients are butter, flour, milk, and cheese, with the option to add spices and herbs to taste. The key to achieving a smooth sauce is to create a roux by cooking the butter and flour first, then slowly adding milk, and finally stirring in the cheese off the heat to avoid clumping. This simple sauce can be adapted to suit individual tastes and is a great way to elevate a variety of meals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation time | 2 minutes to 15 minutes |
| Cooking time | 2 minutes to 10 minutes |
| Ingredients | Cheddar, milk, butter, flour, salt, pepper, cayenne, mustard, vegetables, herbs, spices, skim milk powder, potato starch, vegetable fat, onion, garlic, white pepper, celery, fish, soy, rosemary extract, sunflower lecithin, safflower extract |
| Consistency | Thick, smooth, creamy, silky, clumpy, stringy, lumpy, granular, chunky |
| Serving suggestions | Pretzels, broccoli, cauliflower, french fries, baked potatoes, tortilla chips, pasta, vegetables, nachos, macaroni, pizza, sandwiches, beef |
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What You'll Learn
Cheese sauce ingredients
A good cheese sauce can be made in less than 10 minutes with just a handful of ingredients. The base of a cheese sauce typically consists of butter, flour, and milk. For the cheese component, cheddar is a popular choice, with some recipes recommending sharp cheddar specifically. Other suggested cheeses include Monterey Jack, mild cheddar, and extra sharp cheddar.
When making a cheese sauce, it is important to grate the cheese yourself, as pre-shredded cheese contains additives that can affect the texture of the sauce. It is also important to cook the butter and flour mixture until it turns golden brown to avoid a raw flour taste in the sauce. Once the butter and flour are cooked, milk can be slowly added, followed by the cheese.
Some recipes suggest adding salt and pepper to taste, and even a bit of cayenne pepper for a kick. Other optional ingredients include mustard, onion, garlic, and white pepper.
Cheese sauce is a versatile topping that can be used on a variety of dishes, including vegetables, nachos, french fries, and pasta.
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How to make cheese sauce
A good cheese sauce is a versatile tool in your culinary arsenal. You can use it to make macaroni, drizzle it over broccoli, or pour it onto a roast beef sandwich. Here is a simple recipe to make a delicious cheese sauce in less than 10 minutes.
Ingredients
You will need:
- 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
- 1 cup of milk
- 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Salt, pepper, and/or cayenne to taste
Method
- Melt the butter in a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Whisk in the flour until you get a paste. Cook this mixture, stirring occasionally, until it turns a light golden brown. This will cook out the raw flour taste.
- Slowly add the milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Cook and stir this mixture until it is well combined, about 2 minutes.
- Add the cheese and whisk until melted and smooth.
- Remove from the heat and season with salt, pepper, and/or cayenne to taste.
Tips
- To prevent clumping, stir in the cheese last, and remove the sauce from the heat as soon as it starts to melt.
- If your sauce is too thick, add a splash of milk to thin it out.
- For the smoothest sauce, use full-fat cheese that you grate yourself, as pre-shredded cheese has additives that can affect its melting.
- This recipe can be easily adapted to suit your taste. Try using different cheeses, such as Monterey Jack, or adding a touch of stone-ground mustard.
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How to prevent clumps
To prevent clumps in your cheese sauce, it's important to control the temperature. Always melt your cheese on low heat and combine it gradually with your liquid base. Adding cheese all at once or to a sauce that's too hot can cause it to seize up and form clumps. It's also important to keep stirring continuously as you add the cheese to prevent clumping.
Another way to prevent clumps is to choose your cheese wisely. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents like potato starch or cellulose, which can interfere with the melting process and cause clumps. Instead, grate your cheese just before adding it to the sauce, and add it gradually, stirring as you go. Cheeses like Gruyère, Fontina, or Monterey Jack are known to create a velvety sauce.
If you're making a béchamel or roux base for your cheese sauce, make sure the sauce is smooth before adding the cheese. To make a roux, gently melt butter in a saucepan, then add flour, whisking until you have a lump-free mixture. Slowly add in cold milk, continuing to whisk, before adding your cheese. For a béchamel, you can add equal parts butter and flour to a saucepan, cook for a minute or two (without browning), then gradually add milk, stirring continuously. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg, then remove from the heat before adding your cheese.
Finally, to prevent clumps, avoid boiling your sauce, as this can cause the fat to separate and result in clumps. Keep the sauce just below boiling, and add the cheese last, stirring continuously until it's melted and the sauce is smooth.
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What to eat with cheese sauce
Cheese sauce is a versatile ingredient that can be used to elevate many dishes. Here are some ideas for what to eat with cheese sauce:
Vegetables
For a vegetarian option, cheese sauce can be paired with various vegetables. Cauliflower is a classic choice, either baked in a cheese sauce or served as a cauliflower cheese dish. Broccoli is another vegetable that goes well with cheese sauce. You can steam or bake it and then pour the sauce over it. Other vegetables that can be paired with cheese sauce include potatoes, spinach, mushrooms, onions, carrots, baby corn, and asparagus. Try making a vegetable bake with a mix of vegetables and cheese sauce, or simply dip your favourite vegetables in the sauce.
Proteins
Meats such as bacon, ham, and chicken can be served with cheese sauce. For example, you could fry up some bacon and pour the cheese sauce over it, or bake a chicken breast and smother it in cheese sauce. If you're feeling adventurous, try making a beef patty with a cheesy twist by mixing shredded cheddar and taco seasoning into the meat and topping it with a generous portion of cheese sauce.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates and cheese sauce are a match made in heaven. Macaroni and cheese, or "mac and cheese," is a classic comfort food that combines pasta and cheese sauce. For a variation, try using potato cubes instead of pasta. Cheese sauce also goes well with bread, whether it's a simple grilled cheese sandwich, a cheesy garlic loaf, or a more elaborate spinach and mushroom pancake.
Appetizers and Snacks
Cheese sauce can be used to create delicious appetizers and snacks. Try making loaded sweet potato tots topped with bacon, pimentos, green onions, and bell peppers, and finished with a creamy cheese sauce. Or, for a real indulgence, make some cheesy nacho burgers by topping your favourite burger with cheese sauce and loading it with tortilla chips and salsa.
Leftovers
If you have any leftover cheese sauce, don't throw it away! Cheese sauce freezes well and can be used later. You can also get creative and use it up in various ways, such as making a puff pastry turnover or a tart with your leftover cheeses and cheese sauce.
There are endless possibilities when it comes to using cheese sauce, so feel free to experiment and find your favourite combinations!
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Cheese sauce storage
Proper storage of cheese sauce is imperative to maintain its quality, extend its shelf life, and prevent foodborne illness. Here are some detailed instructions for storing cheese sauce:
Refrigerator Storage:
Cheese sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 to 7 days. However, this duration is influenced by factors such as ingredient freshness, fridge temperature, and storage methods. To ensure food safety and maintain texture and flavour, follow these steps:
- Allow the cheese sauce to cool to room temperature before transferring it to a storage container.
- Use airtight containers, preferably made of glass with secure lids, to prevent air contact and flavour absorption.
- Ensure the container is clean and dry to avoid introducing bacteria.
- Store the cheese sauce at a consistent temperature of 40°F (4°C) or below to inhibit harmful bacterial growth.
- Label the container with the date of storage to keep track of its shelf life.
Freezer Storage:
Freezing cheese sauce is an excellent way to extend its shelf life and have it readily available for future use. Here's how to do it:
- Allow the cheese sauce to cool to room temperature before freezing to prevent bacterial growth and condensation.
- Choose airtight, freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags for storage.
- Leave about an inch of headspace at the top of the container to allow for expansion during freezing.
- Label the containers with the date of freezing.
- Place the containers in the coldest part of the freezer for rapid freezing.
By following these storage instructions, you can enjoy your cheese sauce safely and maintain its flavour and texture for as long as possible.
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Frequently asked questions
To make cheese sauce on the stove, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and salt until a paste forms, then slowly add milk and cook until fully incorporated. Finally, add the cheese and cook until melted.
You can use any type of cheese you like for your cheese sauce, but it's recommended to use full-fat cheese that you grate yourself as bagged cheese has additives that can prevent it from melting smoothly. Cheddar, Sharp Cheddar, and Monterey Jack are all popular choices.
Making cheese sauce from scratch on the stove typically takes less than 10 minutes. However, there are also quicker options, such as using a pre-made cheese sauce mix, which can be ready in less than 5 minutes.
