Andy Montoya
Movie theaters are known for their delicious, creamy, and spicy nacho cheese sauce. Many have tried to replicate the famous taste at home, and some have succeeded by using specific ingredients such as whole milk, evaporated milk, or dairy-free whipping cream, and cheeses like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Colby. Some have also suggested adding chopped jalapenos or jalapeno juice, or using ready-to-serve cheese sauces like Ricos.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby |
| Texture | Smooth, Creamy |
| Flavour | Spicy, Zesty |
| Ingredients | Water, Whey, Vegetable Oil, Modified Food Starch, Salt, Jalapeño Peppers, Sodium Phosphate, Monosodium Glutamate, Natural Flavours, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Datem, Cream, Colours, Acetic Acid, Caramel Colour |
| Brand | Ricos, FUNacho |
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What You'll Learn
Movie theater nacho cheese sauce recipes
If you're craving that movie theater nacho cheese sauce, you can make it at home with a few simple ingredients. This recipe uses natural cheeses to create a super-quick, easy, and tasty cheese sauce that's perfect for movie nights and can be made in under 15 minutes.
Ingredients
- Butter
- Flour
- Milk (whole milk or evaporated milk)
- Mustard
- Cayenne pepper
- Grated cheese (cheddar cheese is a classic choice, but you can also use Monterey Jack, Colby, gruyere, white American cheese, pepper jack cheese, Mexicana cheese, or provolone)
- Cornstarch or arrowroot powder (optional, for thickening)
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat.
- Add the flour to the melted butter and whisk until well combined, creating a paste known as a roux.
- Stir the roux continuously over low heat for one minute.
- In a separate bowl, combine the milk and evaporated milk (if using). Slowly pour this mixture into the roux while whisking continuously until smooth and thick without any lumps.
- Keep whisking until all the milk is incorporated.
- Stir in the mustard and cayenne pepper.
- Add the grated cheese and stir until melted and well combined.
- If you want to add some spice, try mixing in chopped jalapenos, jalapeno juice, or your favorite hot sauce.
- If the sauce is too thick, you can thin it out by adding a little extra milk.
- Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave for 30-second intervals until warm.
Tips
- For a vegan and dairy-free version, use dairy-free cheese, dairy-free butter, and dairy-free heavy whipping cream.
- If you want that silky-smooth texture, you can add a processed cheese like Velveeta (available in the US) or use Sodium Citrate to help melt your own cheese.
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Store-bought movie theater nacho cheese sauce
Many people have tried to replicate the taste of movie theater nacho cheese sauce at home, and some have even tried store-bought cheese sauces. However, most store-bought cheese sauces have a salsa flavor, which is not what people are looking for when they crave movie theater nacho cheese sauce.
One popular option for store-bought movie theater nacho cheese sauce is Ricos Movie Theatre Nacho Cheddar Cheese Sauce. It is a ready-to-serve cheese sauce with a blend of spices, giving it a delicious nacho flavor. It can be used as an ingredient, a topping, or a dip, and is ideal for home use.
Another option is to make your own cheese sauce using a recipe that mimics the taste of movie theater nacho cheese sauce. One recipe suggests using Sodium Citrate to melt your own cheese instead of using canned cheese sauce. This creates a smooth and silky texture similar to movie theater nacho cheese sauce.
Serious Eats also has a copycat recipe with just four ingredients, which can be made at home. It is recommended to heat the sauce in a crockpot on low for several hours or on a very low heat on the stove for an hour to get the best flavor and texture.
Additionally, some people have suggested adding chopped jalapenos, jalapeno juice, or hot sauce to store-bought cheese sauces to get a spicy flavor similar to movie theater nacho cheese sauce.
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Ricos Movie Theatre Nacho Cheddar Cheese Sauce
Ricos is a well-known brand that claims to have popularized the 'Nacho movement' by targeting drunk rednecks at baseball games. Their cheese sauce is famous for its smooth and silky texture, which is achieved through the use of Sodium Citrate or Sodium hexametaphosphate. These ingredients act as emulsifiers, breaking down the cheese and creating a uniform and creamy sauce.
The unique texture and flavour of Ricos' cheese sauce have made it a popular choice for movie theatres and concession stands. Many individuals seek to recreate this distinct taste in their own recipes, but the specific blend of spices used in Ricos' sauce remains a signature of the brand.
While Ricos' Movie Theatre Nacho Cheddar Cheese Sauce is widely enjoyed, it may not be available in all regions. Those interested in purchasing the product can submit a request to their local store manager, as indicated on the Ricos website. This ensures that customers can enjoy the familiar taste of movie theatre nachos in the comfort of their own homes.
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Sodium hexametaphosphate for cheese sauce
Sodium hexametaphosphate is often used in combination with sodium citrate to create a smooth and creamy cheese sauce without the cheese becoming stringy or oily. This combination of salts acts as a thickening agent and emulsifier, improving the protein's swelling capacity and inhibiting the leakage of water or fat from the cheese product.
When making a cheese sauce, sodium hexametaphosphate and sodium citrate can be added to any variety of cheese to create a smooth and creamy texture. To use these salts as a thickening agent, one can mix 1-2 teaspoons of the powder with 1 cup of liquid for every 100 grams of the cheese product. The mixture should then be heated gently while stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Finally, the cheese is added and stirred until smooth.
Sodium hexametaphosphate and sodium citrate are especially useful for creating a cheese sauce with a silky-smooth texture similar to the cheese sauces served at movie theatres. These salts can also be used to create delectable cheese slices, reinventing the cheese wheel and allowing for creative culinary experiments.
Some customers who have purchased these salts have provided positive feedback, mentioning their effectiveness in making process cheese, nacho cheese, and homemade American cheese. The product is also praised for its ease of use and ability to deliver consistent results.
It is important to note that when using these salts, it is crucial to follow the cooking time listed in the recipe. The sauce may appear fine before the allotted time, but the flavor of the melting salts can be too strong if the cooking time is insufficient.
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Reheating leftover cheese sauce
Stovetop Method:
The stovetop method is generally recommended as it allows for more control over the heat. Here are the steps to follow:
- Place the cheese sauce in a saucepan.
- Heat the saucepan over low heat. Stir frequently to prevent the sauce from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Be gentle and patient—don't let the temperature exceed 149°F (65°C). This is crucial, as going above this temperature will cause the sauce to break down.
- You can start with a higher heat to speed things up, but be prepared to stir more vigorously to prevent scorching.
- Alternatively, use a double boiler setup by boiling water in a saucepan and placing a metal bowl with the cheese sauce on top. This ensures the sauce doesn't exceed the boiling point of water.
Microwave Method:
The microwave method can be successful if done carefully. Here's how to do it:
- Use a microwave-safe container and heat the cheese sauce in short intervals, around 15-20 seconds at a time.
- Remove the container from the microwave and stir the sauce after each interval.
- Repeat this process until the sauce reaches your desired temperature.
- You can also add a small amount of milk or water to the sauce before microwaving to help prevent graininess.
Tips for Success:
- Reheat the sauce slowly and gradually, regardless of the method you choose.
- Stir frequently to ensure even heating and prevent overheating.
- Avoid letting the sauce boil, as this will cause the proteins to clump and the fats to separate.
- If you're willing to add some extra ingredients, emulsifiers like mustard powder or a small amount of Velveeta or Kraft Singles can help keep the sauce smooth.
- Sodium citrate is another effective emulsifier that can be used in very small amounts without impacting the flavor.
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Frequently asked questions
Movie theaters typically use processed cheese, which is made from a blend of spices and cheeses such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Colby.
There is no definitive recipe for movie theater cheese, but it typically involves melting cheese with cornstarch and milk, and adding spices or hot sauce to taste.
Yes, movie theater cheese can be made at home by melting cheese with cornstarch and milk, and adding spices or hot sauce to taste. It can be served as a dip or poured over nachos.
