Patrick Oconnell
A good cheese sauce for nachos is easy to make and tastes better than store-bought. It's perfect as a dip or poured over nachos, and can be made in under 10 minutes with just a few simple ingredients. The key to achieving the right consistency is to use a good melting cheese, such as processed American cheese, or cheddar for a stronger flavour. To make the sauce, start by melting butter in a saucepan, then add flour and milk, stirring continuously. Once the sauce has thickened, add the cheese and allow it to melt, then serve immediately. For extra flavour, you can add spices, peppers, or diced onions and garlic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Number of Ingredients | 5 |
| Texture | Smooth, creamy, thick |
| Cheese | Cheddar, Monterey jack, pepper jack, Swiss, Colby, American, or a combination |
| Spice | Cayenne pepper, hot sauce, taco seasoning, chilli powder, paprika, cumin, ground mustard |
| Other Ingredients | Butter, flour, milk, beer, pickled jalapeño juice, salsa, refried beans, tomatoes, onion, cilantro, ground beef |
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What You'll Learn
Use a good melting cheese
The cheese you use will make or break your nacho cheese sauce. A good melting cheese is key to achieving the right consistency and taste. Processed American cheese, like Velveeta, melts the best and results in a smooth, thick, and creamy sauce. However, some people may prefer to avoid the processed taste of American cheese. In that case, other types of cheese can be used, but they may produce a slightly grainier sauce.
Cheddar cheese is a great option for adding flavour to your nacho cheese sauce. Medium cheddar is recommended for smoother results, as sharp cheddar tends to become grainy more easily. If you do use sharp cheddar, remove the pot from the heat before stirring it in to prevent the sauce from seizing up and becoming thick or grainy. It's also important to note that pre-shredded cheeses should be avoided, as they contain anti-caking agents that can affect the melt and make your sauce gritty. Instead, buy a block of cheese and shred it yourself.
Other cheeses that melt well and can be used for nacho cheese sauce include Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Swiss, Colby, or a combination of cheeses. These cheeses may also produce a slightly grainier sauce, but the flavour is excellent. You can also add more cheese to your sauce to make it cheesier.
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Make a roux
To make a good cheese sauce for nachos, you'll need to start by making a roux. This will act as the base of your sauce and help to thicken it. First, melt some butter in a saucepan over medium heat. You'll need around 2 tablespoons of butter, but you can adjust this depending on how much sauce you want to make. Once the butter is melted, add in your flour. You'll need the same amount of flour as butter, so for this example, use 2 tablespoons of flour. Whisk the butter and flour together until they form a smooth paste. This usually takes around 1-2 minutes, but you may need to cook it for up to 3 minutes to get rid of the "floury" taste. Make sure the mixture is bubbling around the edges and starting to turn a blond colour.
At this point, you can add some spices to your roux if you want to give your cheese sauce some extra flavour. Cayenne pepper is a popular choice, with some recipes calling for 1/8 teaspoon, while others suggest adding it to taste. You can also add diced onions and garlic to your roux for a flavorful, aromatic kick. If you want to add some extra heat, you can cook minced jalapeno, serrano, or roasted peppers in the butter before adding the flour.
Once your roux is ready, you can start to add the milk. Slowly whisk in about 1 cup of milk, or enough to thin out the sauce and give it a smooth, creamy texture. Make sure to whisk continuously until the sauce is smooth. Then, bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. It will start to bubble a little around the edges.
Now that you've mastered the art of making a roux, you're well on your way to creating a delicious cheese sauce for your nachos!
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Add milk
To make a good cheese sauce for nachos, you'll need to add milk. Here's a step-by-step guide to adding milk to your nacho cheese sauce:
First, melt some butter in a saucepan over medium heat. The amount of butter can vary depending on your preference, but typically, 2 tablespoons of butter is a good starting point. You can also add some flour and whisk it together to create a roux, which will thicken your cheese sauce. Make sure to cook the flour and butter mixture for a minute or two until it forms a smooth paste.
Next, slowly add the milk to the saucepan. Stir or whisk the milk continuously as you pour it in to ensure a smooth and creamy texture. You can use whole milk for a richer flavour and a creamier consistency. Add about 1 cup of milk, or adjust the amount to your desired thickness.
Continue whisking the mixture until the milk is well incorporated. Then, increase the heat slightly and bring the milk to a gentle boil. Be careful not to let the milk boil over. Once it reaches a boil, quickly reduce the heat to a simmer.
At this point, you can add seasonings like cayenne pepper, salt, or other spices to enhance the flavour of your cheese sauce. Keep the sauce simmering for about 30 seconds to a minute, allowing it to thicken slightly. Make sure to stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
Now, you're ready to add the cheese! Remove the saucepan from the heat before adding the grated or shredded cheese. Slowly add your chosen cheese a little at a time, stirring continuously until it melts completely into the sauce. Using a block of cheese and grating it yourself is recommended, as pre-shredded cheeses may contain anti-caking agents that can affect the texture of your sauce.
And that's it! You've successfully added milk to your nacho cheese sauce. Remember to adjust the measurements and cooking times as needed to create your perfect cheese sauce. Enjoy your homemade nacho cheese with tortilla chips, pretzels, or any other dipping favourites!
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Season to taste
Seasoning is key to making a good cheese sauce for nachos. The right spices can add depth of flavour and a kick of heat to your sauce.
First, you'll want to decide on the type of cheese you're using. Cheddar is a popular choice for its flavour, but processed American cheese is also a common option as it melts better and results in a smoother sauce. If you opt for cheddar, it's best to use a block of medium cheddar and shred it yourself, as pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect the consistency of your sauce.
Now, onto the spices. Cayenne pepper is a classic addition to nacho cheese sauce, providing heat and a vibrant orange colour. You can also add minced jalapeños, or a combination of jalapeño brine and pickled jalapeños, for a spicy kick. If you're a fan of spice, you might also consider adding hot sauce, chilli powder, or paprika for extra heat and a smoky flavour.
For a more complex flavour profile, you can experiment with different spices. Cumin, ground mustard, and taco seasoning are all excellent options for adding depth and a Mexican-inspired twist. If you're feeling adventurous, you could even swap out some of the milk in your recipe for light beer, adding a rich, malty flavour to your sauce.
Don't be afraid to taste your sauce as you go and adjust the seasonings to your preference. Remember, you can always add more spice, but it's difficult to tone it down once it's too spicy!
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Add-ins for extra flavour
While a good cheese sauce for nachos can be made with just five ingredients, you can experiment with add-ins to give it extra flavour.
One way to add a kick to your cheese sauce is to include peppers. You can cook minced jalapeno, serrano, or roasted peppers in butter before adding the flour. You can also add the juice from pickled jalapenos, as well as some of the peppers themselves. Alternatively, you could stir in a spoonful of jalapeno tomato salsa.
Another way to add flavour is to include spices. You can add cumin, paprika, chili powder, ground mustard, or taco seasoning. If you want to add even more heat, you can include cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
You can also add diced onions and garlic to your sauce. Saute these in butter before adding the flour. You can also replace up to half the milk in the recipe with light beer for a rich, malty flavour.
Finally, you can add meat to your cheese sauce. Try stirring in some spiced ground beef or topping your nachos with pulled pork.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need butter, flour, milk, cheese, and pickled jalapeño juice.
Processed American cheese, like Velveeta, melts the best, but cheddar is great for flavor. Other options include Monterey jack cheese, pepper jack, Swiss, or Colby.
First, melt butter in a medium-sized skillet over medium heat. Once melted, add flour and whisk until it combines into a smooth paste. Next, add milk and continue whisking. Once it starts to bubble, raise the heat and bring to a boil. Then, reduce the heat and allow the sauce to thicken. Finally, add the cheese and stir until melted.
It takes about 10 minutes to make a good cheese sauce for nachos.
