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A glass bowl filled with cheese dip is surrounded by triangular corn tortilla chips on a white background.

Homemade Melted Cheese Sauce

Preparing a cheese sauce is a great option when setting up a nacho bar for a party or even for your own personal use. This method is especially handy for guests who prefer to drizzle their cheese or for those who might arrive later and still want warm, melted cheese on their nachos.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American, Mexican
Servings 6
Calories 191 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 1.5 cups whole milk substitute 2% milk if you'd like
  • 2 cups shredded cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • garlic powder to taste
  • paprika to taste
  • cayenne pepper

Instructions
 

  • Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
  • Once the butter has melted, add 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Stir them together to form a paste, cooking for about a minute.
  • Gradually pour in 1 1/2 cups of whole or 2 percent milk. Constantly stir to avoid any lumps. Keep stirring until the mixture becomes smooth and starts to thicken.
  • Reduce the heat to low.
  • Add 2 cups of shredded cheese and stir continuously until the cheese melts completely.
  • Season with salt, pepper and spices like garlic powder, paprika or cayenne pepper to taste.
  • Transfer the cheese sauce to a mini Crock Pot set on a low or warm setting.

Notes

Choose a mix of cheeses for variety — Sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack. You'll want to go with shredded because it is easier to handle. I suggest you shred your cheese using a box grater. Don’t use the bagged kind, if possible. Freshly shredded cheese often melts better.

Nutrition

Calories: 191kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 11gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 47mgSodium: 384mgPotassium: 125mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 468IUCalcium: 265mgIron: 0.3mg

Disclaimer

Please note that nutrient values, if included with the recipe, are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability/substitution and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.

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