
There are many different recipes for nacho cheese sauce, but the most common ingredients are butter, flour, milk, and cheese. Some recipes call for processed American cheese, while others suggest using cheddar, Monterey jack, or a combination of cheeses. Many recipes also include pickled jalapeño juice and diced jalapeños to add a spicy kick. One popular brand of nacho cheese sauce is Ricos, which has become synonymous with concession foods and is often used at entertainment venues, sports arenas, and movie theaters.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Company | Ricos |
| Company Type | Family-owned business |
| Company History | Texan-born company, founded in 1909 |
| Product | Nacho Cheese Sauce |
| Product Description | Real cheese whey in its ingredients, no preservatives, sealed fresh in the can |
| Use Cases | Used in concession foods, culinary companion for various dishes, dip for chips and veggies |
| Recipes | Processed American cheese, butter, flour, milk, pickled jalapeño juice, pickled jalapeños, medium cheddar, whole milk, salt, chili powder |
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What You'll Learn

Ricos Nacho Cheese Sauce
Ricos is a family-owned business with a long history, dating back to 1909. The company, born in Texas, is known for its concession foods, including Ricos Nacho Cheese, Ricos Cheese Sauce, and Ricos Nacho Chips. The Ricos Nacho Cheese Sauce has become synonymous with entertainment venues, sports arenas, and movie theatres worldwide. The sauce is made with real cheese whey, and its meticulous aseptic cooking production process ensures creaminess and taste while eliminating the need for preservatives. The cheese is sealed fresh in the can, providing lasting stability.
Ricos Gourmet Nacho Cheddar Cheese Sauce is a ready-to-serve sauce with a blend of spices, providing a perfect nacho flavour. It can be used as an ingredient, a topping, or a dip, making it versatile for various dishes and occasions. The sauce is available in different quantities, including a 4.75 oz option and a 15 oz option.
The Ricos product line also includes a range of tortilla chips, from classic flavours to bold and spicy varieties. Their Original Nacho Chips are crafted with precision, featuring a thickness that can withstand generous toppings without becoming soggy. The variable curvature of the chip ensures a perfect bite every time, whether enjoyed with Ricos Nacho Cheese or other dips.
In addition to their concession foods, Ricos offers other products such as Ricositos Hot Cheese Curls & Cheese Sauce, a combination of cheese curls and their signature nacho cheese sauce, providing a tasty snack option for game time or family gatherings. The versatility of Ricos Cheese Sauce allows it to be used as a culinary companion, enhancing the flavour of favourite meals, serving as a dip, or adding a touch of indulgence to any dish.
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Spicy Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce
A good bowl of nachos with a generous serving of spicy, melty cheese sauce is a snack that's hard to beat. This recipe for spicy homemade nacho cheese sauce is easy to make and tastes just like the cheese sauce from the movies. It's the perfect melty sauce to pour over tortilla chips, homemade French fries, veggies, or soft pretzels.
Ingredients
- Butter
- Flour
- Milk (preferably whole milk)
- Cheese (processed American cheese melts the best, but cheddar is great for flavour)
- Pickled jalapeño juice
- Pickled jalapeños (optional)
- Salt, to taste
Optional Ingredients for Extra Spice
- Hot sauce
- Cayenne
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Heat a saucepan or small pot to medium heat.
- Add butter and melt it.
- Stir in flour and stir continuously for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
- Slowly add milk to the flour/butter paste in a steady stream, whisking constantly.
- Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes. It should be thick but still pourable.
- Add cheese, whisking constantly until it melts.
- Stir in pickled jalapeño juice and some pickled jalapeños, if desired.
- Keep stirring until the cheese sauce is smooth.
- Taste and adjust for salt and other seasonings, then serve immediately with tortilla chips.
Tips
- Any melty cheese will work, but processed American cheese, like Velveeta brand, makes the smoothest nacho cheese sauce.
- For the best taste and texture, shred the cheese off the block yourself with a cheese grater. Pre-shredded cheese is drier and contains anti-caking agents.
- If the sauce is too thick, add water or milk, a little at a time, and whisk until you achieve the desired consistency.
- This cheese sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat it over the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.
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Cheddar Nacho Cheese Sauce
While I could not find specific information on the type of cheese sauce used at raspas stands, I was able to find a simple and quick recipe for a Cheddar Nacho Cheese Sauce.
Ingredients
- Butter
- Flour
- Milk
- Salt
- Cayenne Pepper or Chilli Powder
- Cheddar Cheese
Instructions
- Start by melting some butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Whisk in an equal amount of flour until combined. This is called a roux and will help thicken the sauce.
- Next, whisk in some milk. For a richer flavour, use whole milk.
- Season with salt and ground cayenne pepper or chilli powder.
- Once the milk heats through, the mixture should be thick and bubbly.
- Turn off the heat and add freshly grated cheddar, a handful at a time, whisking gently until the cheese melts and smooths out into a creamy sauce.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, simply whisk in some extra milk or water.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning, if needed.
This recipe uses only real, simple ingredients and takes about 5 minutes to make. It is important to note that freshly grated cheese is important, as pre-shredded cheese usually contains anti-caking agents, which can make the sauce grainy.
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Processed American Cheese Nacho Sauce
Processed American cheese is a popular choice for making nacho cheese sauce. It melts well and has a smooth, creamy texture, making it ideal for nachos. To make the sauce, start by heating butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, stir in flour to form a roux. Continue stirring for 2-3 minutes until it thickens.
Next, slowly add milk and stir until it simmers. Reduce the heat and gradually add the shredded processed American cheese, stirring continuously until it melts completely. At this point, you can also add some shredded cheddar cheese for extra flavour, if desired. Keep stirring until the cheese sauce is smooth and well-combined.
To give the nacho cheese sauce a spicy kick, stir in some pickled jalapeño juice and chopped jalapeños. Adjust the seasoning with salt, if needed. Your processed American cheese nacho sauce is now ready to be served! It goes perfectly with tortilla chips, nachos, or even as a warm dip.
For a unique twist, you can experiment with different ingredients to enhance the flavour of your nacho cheese sauce. Consider adding diced onions, garlic, cumin, ground mustard, taco seasoning, or roasted poblano peppers. If you're feeling adventurous, swap out some of the milk with light beer for a rich, malty flavour. Keep in mind that the key to great nachos is having delicious nacho cheese sauce and tasty toppings!
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Jalapeno Nacho Cheese Sauce
Jalapeño Nacho Cheese Sauce
Jalapeño Nacho Cheese Sauce is a delicious and versatile sauce that can be used as a dip for nachos, chips, soft pretzels, chicken strips, and vegetables, or served over pasta, broccoli, or meatballs. The sauce is easy to make and can be customized to your preferred spice level. Here is a recipe for Jalapeño Nacho Cheese Sauce:
Ingredients:
- Butter
- All-purpose flour
- Milk (preferably whole milk for a richer flavor)
- Shredded cheese (processed American cheese or cheddar melts best, but you can also use Pepper Jack, Swiss, Colby, or others)
- Pickled jalapeño juice
- Chopped pickled jalapeños (optional, for extra spice)
- Salt (optional, to taste)
Instructions:
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Add flour and stir continuously for 2-3 minutes to form a roux.
- Whisk in milk and whisk until smooth.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Slowly add the cheese a little at a time, stirring continuously until it melts and becomes smooth.
- Stir in pickled jalapeño juice and chopped pickled jalapeños (if using).
- Continue stirring until the cheese sauce is smooth and well-combined.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, if desired.
- Serve warm with your favorite dippers or toppings!
Tips:
- For a spicier sauce, you can add more chopped pickled jalapeños or include the seeds of the jalapeños.
- If you prefer a milder sauce, you can reduce the amount of jalapeño juice or use mild pickled jalapeños.
- You can also experiment with different types of cheese to find your favorite combination of flavor and creaminess.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, you can add a small amount of water or milk to thin it out.
- For a larger batch, you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Pre-made Options:
If you're looking for a pre-made option, Ricos offers a range of nacho cheese sauces and chips, including their World Famous Nachos, which feature pickled jalapeño slices. Their products are known for their presence in movie theatres, sports arenas, and entertainment venues.
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Frequently asked questions
Processed American cheese melts the best for nacho cheese sauce, but cheddar is great for flavor.
You will need butter, flour, milk, and cheese. For the cheese, it is recommended to use a block of medium cheddar cheese and shred it yourself.
First, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Then, stir in the flour and stir continuously for 2-3 minutes to form a roux. Next, stir in the milk and allow it to simmer. Reduce the heat to low, then stir in the cheese a bit at a time until it melts.
You can add pickled jalapeño juice and some chopped pickled jalapeños to give it a spicy kick.
Ricos is a popular brand of nacho cheese sauce used by raspas stands.

























