Frederic Melton
Many people wonder what kind of cheese is used for the nachos at movie theaters. Some people have tried to recreate the movie theater nacho cheese sauce at home, but none of the store-bought cheese sauces seem to taste the same. It seems that the secret to achieving that silky smooth texture of a nacho sauce is by adding a processed cheese called Velveeta, although this isn't available in the UK. In the US, Ricos is a popular brand of nacho cheese sauce that is used in movie theaters.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese Type | Cheddar, Monterey Jack Cheese, Red Leicester Cheese |
| Other Ingredients | Flour, Butter, Evaporated Milk, Full-Fat Milk, Mustard, Cayenne Pepper, Hot Sauce, Pickle Juice, Salt, Chili Powder |
| Commercially Available | Ricos, Gehl's, FUNacho |
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What You'll Learn
Recreating movie theatre nachos at home
Firstly, you'll need to create a roux, which is a mixture of flour and butter cooked over low heat. This forms the base of the sauce and gives it a thick consistency. It's important to continuously stir the roux to avoid lumps. Once you have a smooth paste, slowly add in a combination of evaporated milk and full-fat milk, whisking continuously until you have a thick and creamy sauce.
Now it's time to add the cheese. For an extra cheesy sauce, use a combination of shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Red Leicester cheese. Stir the cheese into the sauce until it is melted and well combined. To spice things up, add some mustard, cayenne pepper, and hot sauce to taste. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also add some chopped jalapenos or jalapeno juice. Keep stirring the sauce until all the ingredients are well incorporated and melted together.
For that authentic movie theatre experience, pour the cheese sauce over a big bowl of tortilla chips. Top with some pickled jalapenos, and you've got yourself a delicious snack that tastes just like it's from the cinema. If you're short on time, you can also buy ready-to-serve movie theatre nacho cheese sauce, such as the famous Ricos brand, which is a perfect blend of spices and cheese.
So, there you have it! By following these simple steps and using the right combination of cheeses and spices, you can easily recreate the movie theatre nachos experience at home and enjoy a tasty treat whenever the craving strikes.
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The best cheeses for nachos
While movie theatre nachos are made with processed cheese products, you can make delicious nachos at home with real cheese.
When it comes to choosing the best cheese for nachos, the right cheese can make all the difference in flavour and texture. It's best to avoid hard cheeses like Parmesan, Pecorino, feta, and blue cheese as they have a higher oil content, which prevents them from melting well. Aged cheeses also have a sharper flavour that can be overpowering. Instead, opt for cheeses that melt well, such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby-Jack, Pepper Jack, or Queso Blanco. These cheeses have a milder flavour that pairs well with other ingredients, and their melting ability makes them ideal for nacho cheese sauce.
For the best results, shred the cheese yourself. Pre-shredded cheese is filled with preservatives like potato starch and natamycin, which can make it prone to clumping when melted. If you're looking for a smooth and creamy cheese sauce, it's best to grate your own cheese. You can also experiment with different types of cheese to find your perfect flavour. For example, combining extra sharp cheddar with Colby-Jack or adding some American cheese to cheddar or Jack can result in an even smoother nacho cheese sauce.
To make a simple cheese sauce, you can combine flour and butter to form a roux, deglaze it with milk, and then add shredded cheese. Keep mixing until the cheese melts, and add hot sauce, pickle juice, salt, and chilli powder to taste. If you're short on time, you can melt cheese in the microwave at half power, but keep a close eye on it.
Remember, the key to delicious nachos is not just the cheese but also the toppings and ingredients that complement it. So, feel free to experiment with various cheeses, toppings, and cooking methods to find your perfect nacho recipe!
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Popular cheese sauce brands
While it is challenging to pinpoint the exact cheese used in movie theatres, it is speculated that they use processed American cheese, which melts better, or cheddar cheese, which has a superior flavour. A former movie theatre employee has also revealed that the theatres use products from the brand Ricos.
If you're looking to recreate the movie theatre nacho cheese experience, here are some popular cheese sauce brands to consider:
Ricos
Ricos is a well-known brand for nacho cheese sauce, offering that classic movie theatre, baseball game, or convenience store cheese experience. It is widely available in the United States at stores like Walmart and 7-Eleven.
Tostitos
Tostitos is mentioned as one of the best queso brands, offering a tiny plastic container of queso that is perfect for a single serving of nachos. While it may be more commonly found at gas stations, it is so delicious that it deserves a spot in specialty food stores and boutique markets.
El Mexicano
El Mexicano's nacho cheese sauce is described as creamy, buttery, and spicy. It is a versatile option that can be used for nachos, poured over chimichangas, or even enjoyed on its own.
FUNacho
FUNacho is known for supplying cheese cups to theatres, specifically the Zesty flavour to AMC theatres.
Campbell's
Campbell's offers a canned nacho cheese soup that can be diluted to your desired consistency.
In addition to these brands, there are also recipes for making your own nacho cheese sauce at home, allowing you to customize the flavour and spice level to your preference.
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How to make cheese sauce from scratch
While it is unclear what kind of cheese is used in movie theatres for nachos, it is possible to make cheese sauce from scratch.
To make a cheese sauce from scratch, you will need butter, flour, milk, and shredded cheese. You can use salted or unsalted butter, and all-purpose flour. For the milk, you can use any percentage you'd like, but the higher the fat content, the smoother and creamier your sauce will be. As for the cheese, it is recommended to use a full-fat block of sharp cheddar cheese that you shred yourself. Mild to extra sharp cheddar will also work, and you can even use other cheeses like Monterey Jack.
Step 1: Make a Roux
Start by melting the butter in a small to medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour until you get a paste or roux. Cook the roux, whisking continuously, until it is lightly golden, about 1 minute.
Step 2: Add Milk
Slowly pour in the milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming. Continue whisking until the mixture is thick and bubbly, about 3 to 4 minutes.
Step 3: Add Cheese
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the shredded cheese a handful at a time until all the cheese has melted and combined with the sauce. Keep stirring to prevent the cheese from burning or becoming clumpy.
Step 4: Season and Serve
Finally, add your desired seasonings to taste. You can add salt, pepper, cayenne, hot sauce, pickle juice, chili powder, or even ground mustard. Whisk until the seasonings are incorporated, and your cheese sauce is ready!
This homemade cheese sauce is perfect for nachos, but you can also use it for dipping vegetables, drizzling over baked potatoes, french fries, or even as a topping for sandwiches. Enjoy!
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Toppings and dips for nachos
Nachos are a versatile dish that can be topped and dipped with a variety of ingredients to suit different tastes and dietary preferences. While the classic Tex-Mex nachos are made with salted tortilla chips, melted cheese, and pickled jalapeño slices, there are numerous other toppings and dips to experiment with.
For those who enjoy a meaty topping, options such as BBQ pulled chicken, shredded chicken, grilled tofu, sliced steak, seasoned pork, and ground beef are all popular choices. These proteins can be seasoned with various spices and sauces to add extra flavour. For example, chicken can be shredded and mixed with BBQ sauce, while beef can be seasoned with a taco-style mix of paprika, garlic powder, oregano, cumin, and chilli powder.
Vegetarians and vegans can also enjoy nachos by opting for plant-based proteins like grilled tofu, beans, or edamame. Beans, in particular, can be a versatile addition as they can be used in various styles, such as refried beans, to add both flavour and texture to the nachos.
Those who enjoy a cheesy delight can experiment with different types of cheese beyond the classic nacho cheese. Cheeses such as Monterey Jack, habanero cheese, cotija, and queso fresco can add a range of flavours and textures to the nachos. For a truly indulgent experience, try using a mix of cheeses, such as cheddar and Colby Jack, to create a gooey and stringy texture.
In addition to the protein and cheese toppings, nachos can be enhanced with a variety of other ingredients. Jalapeños, both fresh and pickled, are a popular choice, adding a spicy kick to the dish. Other options include onions, tomatoes, cilantro, sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, and sweetcorn. For those who enjoy a crunchy texture, bell peppers can be a great addition, either as a fajita-style mix with onions or as bell pepper boats loaded with nachos.
For an even more indulgent experience, dips can be added on the side or loaded on top of the nachos. Queso, a Mexican melted cheese sauce, is a popular choice. Other dips such as guacamole, sour cream, and salsa can also be used to add extra flavour and moisture to the nachos.
For those feeling creative, nachos can be adapted to suit different cuisines. For an Irish-inspired twist, toppings such as corned beef, cabbage, potato wedges, cheddar, sour cream, pickled onion, and crumbled bacon can be used. Italian-style nachos might include pita chips, sliced banana peppers, Italian sausage, salami, mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil. Asian-style nachos could feature wonton chips, edamame, cabbage, carrots, and scallions, with sriracha or gochujang for an added kick.
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Frequently asked questions
Movie theaters typically use processed cheese products like Ricos or Velveeta for their nachos. These products are designed to melt smoothly and have a long shelf life. Some theaters might also use natural cheeses like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Red Leicester, combined with other ingredients to create a nacho cheese sauce.
The ingredients in Ricos Movie Theatre Nacho Cheddar Cheese Sauce include water, whey, vegetable oil, modified food starch, salt, jalapeño peppers, cheddar cheese, natural flavors, and colors. It's a blend designed to deliver a classic nacho cheese flavor.
Yes, you can recreate the movie theater experience at home by making your own nacho cheese sauce. Recipes vary, but a common method involves creating a roux with flour and butter, adding milk and evaporated milk, then incorporating grated cheese, mustard, cayenne pepper, and other seasonings.
