Kamil Perry
Velveeta cheese sauce is a quick and easy dish to make, perfect for serving at parties or as a comforting weeknight side dish. The sauce can be made in a crockpot, microwave, or on the stovetop, and is ready in under 30 minutes. It can be served with tortilla chips, vegetables, or cooked pasta, or used as a cheese dip. The basic ingredients are butter, flour, milk, and Velveeta cheese, but spices can be added for extra flavour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Velveeta cheese, milk, butter, flour, spices |
| Spices | Cayenne pepper, chilli powder, hot sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, granulated garlic |
| Tasty additions | Diced tomatoes, green chillies, chopped jalapeños, crumbled cooked bacon, hot sauce |
| Preparation | Make a roux, add cheese and spices, whisk until melted |
| Reheating | Add milk, stir over medium-low heat |
| Storage | Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days |
| Serving suggestions | Nachos, mac and cheese, steamed vegetables, tortilla chips, cooked pasta, broccoli, cauliflower |
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Making a roux
To make a roux for your cheese sauce, you'll need butter, flour, and a saucepan. Start by melting the butter in the saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add in your flour. You can use all-purpose flour or swap it for white whole wheat or 1:1 GF all-purpose flour. Use a whisk to blend the flour and butter until you have a smooth mixture.
The roux is the base of your sauce and will help to thicken it. Keep whisking your mixture over the heat until it starts to thicken. Gradually add in your milk, continuing to whisk as you do so. You can use whole milk, regular milk, or non-dairy milk. Keep whisking until your mixture is smooth and has reached a light boil.
You can now add in your cheese. A processed cheese product like Velveeta will melt smoothly, giving your sauce a wonderfully creamy texture. Keep mixing until the cheese is fully melted and combined. You can then add in any spices you wish to include.
A basic cheese sauce can be made with just the above ingredients, but you can also add spices and other flavourings to make it your own. Cayenne pepper, garlic, and onion powder are all popular additions to a cheese sauce. You could also add in chopped jalapeños, cooked bacon, or diced tomatoes for extra flavour and texture.
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Adding spices
When making cheese sauce using Velveeta, you can add spices to give the sauce some extra flavour.
Some common spices and flavourings that are used in Velveeta cheese sauce include salt, pepper, and granulated garlic. You can also add a splash of hot sauce, such as a vinegar-based hot sauce, to give the sauce a kick. If you want to make the sauce spicy, you can add cayenne pepper, chilli powder, or chilli pepper paste. You can also add diced tomatoes and green chillies, either in canned form or fresh, such as chopped jalapeños.
Other flavourings you can add to your Velveeta cheese sauce include garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, and crumbled cooked bacon.
Play around with different spices and flavourings to find your favourite combination!
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Reheating and storing
Storing your cheese sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator will keep it fresh for up to a week. If you want to keep it for longer, you can freeze it in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to three months.
When reheating your cheese sauce, it's best to do so gently, either on the stove or in the microwave, stirring frequently to maintain its smooth and creamy texture. You can also add a splash of milk or cream to adjust the consistency and enhance the flavor. If your sauce has been frozen and thawed, you may need to add more cornstarch to thicken it.
If your sauce has thickened too much, you can thin it out with a bit of milk or cream. Conversely, if your sauce is too thin, you can create a slurry by mixing cornstarch or flour with water and gradually adding it to the sauce while heating and stirring until you reach the desired thickness. Be cautious with the amount you add to avoid making the sauce too thick or altering its flavor.
Reheating your cheese sauce slowly over low to medium-low heat will help prevent any changes in texture. It's important to stir the sauce frequently to prevent it from hardening or becoming clumpy.
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Serving suggestions
Velveeta cheese sauce is a versatile dish with multiple serving suggestions. It is best served warm to highlight its creamy, velvety texture and rich, cheesy flavour. Here are some ways to serve this delicious sauce:
As a Dip
Velveeta cheese sauce makes an excellent dip for vegetables, chips, and snacks. It is perfect for game day or when you have guests coming over. You can keep the dip warm in a crockpot for entertaining. Add some chopped jalapeños, crumbled cooked bacon, or diced tomatoes for extra flavour and texture.
With Pasta
Velveeta cheese sauce is a great addition to pasta dishes. It can be mixed with dried pasta, drizzled over cooked pasta, or used as a base for baked mac and cheese. For every 12-16 oz of dried pasta, use 12 oz of cheese sauce. You can also add some spices like garlic powder, onion powder, or Worcestershire sauce to enhance the flavour.
On Nachos
The sauce can be drizzled over nachos to take them to the next level. It adds a creamy, cheesy flavour that complements the nachos perfectly. You can also add some refried beans, diced avocado, and sour cream for a Mexican-inspired twist.
With Vegetables
Velveeta cheese sauce is a tasty way to dress up steamed or cooked vegetables. It pairs especially well with broccoli, where it clings to each floret, transforming a simple side dish. You can also drizzle it over baked potatoes or fries for an indulgent treat.
On Hash Browns
For those who find hash browns a bit dry, Velveeta cheese sauce provides a moist and cheesy solution. It can be drizzled over the hash browns or used as a dip, adding a rich and creamy dimension to this breakfast favourite.
With its smooth and creamy texture and versatile flavour, Velveeta cheese sauce is a perfect addition to a variety of dishes, taking your meals from bland to irresistibly cheesy!
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Crockpot method
The crockpot method for making Velveeta cheese sauce is a simple and easy process that yields a creamy and delicious dip. It is perfect for when you need a last-minute appetizer or snack and can be paired with various ingredients to create different flavors.
To begin, cut the Velveeta cheese into cubes. You can use the original block of Velveeta cheese or opt for the white Velveeta variety. Place the cubed cheese into your crockpot or slow cooker. You can also add in some milk at this stage if you want a thinner cheese sauce, perfect for pouring over tortilla chips or nachos.
For a spicy kick, add in some hot sauce and chili powder. You can adjust the amount of hot sauce and chili powder to your taste preferences. If you want a milder sauce, simply omit the hot sauce and chili powder or reduce the amount used.
Cover the crockpot and cook the mixture on high for about 2 hours, or until the cheese has completely melted and the sauce is smooth. Be sure to stir the mixture occasionally to ensure even melting and prevent it from burning.
Once the cheese sauce is ready, you can serve it immediately with your favorite dippers. It goes well with tortilla chips, pretzels, crackers, or even popcorn. You can also use it as a topping for nachos, burgers, or sandwiches.
Feel free to experiment with additional ingredients to create different flavors. For example, you can add cooked sausage, ground beef, chorizo, salsa, jalapeno peppers, or fresh cilantro. If you're making a meal like chili mac, mix the cheese sauce with noodles and a batch of homemade beef chili.
Remember, the crockpot method allows you to keep the cheese sauce warm for several hours without it getting grainy or separating, so you can enjoy it throughout your gathering.
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Frequently asked questions
To make cheese sauce using Velveeta, you can use either the microwave or the stovetop. On the stovetop, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat and add Velveeta and spices. Whisk together until the cheese is completely melted. In the microwave, place all the ingredients in the pot and turn it on high for 2 and a half hours, stirring every hour.
Homemade Velveeta cheese sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.
You can add spices such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce to your Velveeta cheese sauce. You can also add milk, chopped jalapeños, crumbled cooked bacon, or diced tomatoes for extra flavor and texture.
