Easy Cheese Sauce – 4 ingredients! Creamy homemade cheese sauce in minutes for the ultimate nachos, cheese fries, topping vegetables and baked potatoes or the ultimate Mac and Cheese!
I’ve been making this easy cheese sauce recipe for decades. It’s one of the most popular recipes on my blog for years running for a reason: it’s the best you’ll find anywhere. Period.
4 ingredients, 5 minutes and you’ll be drizzling it over everything without regret.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
- It’s SO DARN GOOD and requires just 4 simple ingredients!
- VERSATILE: top veggies or baked potatoes or add pasta for crazy good Mac and Cheese.
- BETTER THAN PRE-MADE in the stores.
- REAL CHEESE – no processed cheeses or Velveeta.
- GLUTEN FREE RECIPE – click for my flourless cheese sauce recipe.
FOR BEST RESULTS, DO THIS:
- GRATE YOUR OWN CHEESE. Pre-packaged cheese contains additives that don’t allow it to melt as well.
- DO NOT USE PRE-SHREDDED CHEESE contains ingredients that don’t allow it to melt as well.
- GATHER AND PREP ALL INGREDIENTS AHEAD OF TIME – this recipe comes together quickly.
WHAT KIND OF CHEESE IS BEST?
Use any good melty cheese is perfect in this recipe. Sharp cheddar (or extra sharp) is my favorite. Below are a few more:
- Sharp Cheddar is best for vegetables, a dip pretzel bites, or cheese fries.
- Gouda is great for ‘adult’ macaroni and cheese.
- Use Pepper Jack for spicy nachos topped with this 5 minute Blender Salsa.
- Grate Swiss Cheese and Monterey Jack for any dishes that use ham for a classic combination.
WHAT INGREDIENTS DO I NEED TO MAKE EASY CHEESE SAUCE?
- butter
- all purpose flour
- whole milk OR half and half
- block of sharp cheddar cheese freshly grated
(You’re also going to need a pinch of salt)
HOW TO MAKE CHEESE SAUCE:
How to make a roux for cheese sauce:
In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium low to medium heat, then sprinkle flour over the top.
Whisk continuously until smooth then simmer 1 minute.
Pour in the milk and season with salt then continue whisking constantly until the milk and flour mixture are combined.
Add the cheese stirring well until melted. Give it a few vigorous stirs after the cheese melts to give it an extra creamy consistency.
Taste and adjust salt to your preference then eat right away.
WHAT TO DO WITH THIS EASY CHEESE SAUCE:
- HOMEMADE MACARONI AND CHEESE: combine with elbow macaroni.
- NACHOS: drizzle over tortilla chips for nachos like sports events and the movies!
- Drizzle over french fries (or even tater tots) for the best cheese fries!
- HOMEMADE SOFT PRETZEL BITES: the ideal dipper.
- VEGETABLES: on the side or over the top – no wrong way to do it!
SUBS AND VARIATIONS TO THIS RECIPE:
- Nacho Cheese Sauce: next time add green chiles, a pinch of cayenne pepper, pickled jalapenos or even a splash of hot sauce.
- White Cheese Sauce: use white cheddar.
- Gluten free cheese sauce: click the link HERE.
- Cornstarch in an equal amount can be used instead of flour.
HOW TO STORE LEFTOVERS:
Let it cool to room temp then store in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or stovetop adding a small splash of milk as needed.
Enjoy!
Tried this Easy Cheese Sauce recipe? Leave a comment, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and TAG ME with a photo of yours on social media! @agoudalife or #agoudalife
Easy Cheese Sauce
Equipment
- box grater to grate cheese
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 cup half and half can use whole milk
- 8 ounce block sharp cheddar cheese freshly grated
- 1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste
Instructions
- Grate the cheese then set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter then sprinkle the flour over the top.
- Whisk until smooth then continue simmering 1 minute. Pour in the milk and season with salt then continue whisking constantly until the milk and flour mixture are combined.
- Add the cheese stirring well to combine. Give it a few vigorous stirs after the cheese is melted in. This will give it an extra creamy consistency.
- Taste and adjust salt as needed then eat right away.
This is a fabulous appetizer. Great flavor, a little zing, add a margarita. Bring in the mariachi.
Thanks Ramon! Couldn’t agree more. Easy, cheesy – what else do you need eh?
Perfect. I used lots of Gouda and added cheese spread. Places on stovetop until gouda melted. Very good on schnitzel.
Thank you! — and Yum! I love your variation – can’t go wrong with extra cheese right?! Great idea adding to schnitzel. I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Enjoy the day – Bernie
This is an excellent recipe. My husband loved it, and I loved it too. I highly recommend it.
HI Renee – thank you so much for your kind words – I appreciate! I’m really glad you and your husband both enjoyed the cheese sauce. Thanks for taking the time to comment — Bernie
Made the cheese cause tonight to go over some cauliflower and loved it!! Really rich and added a ton of flavor. Made me actually enjoy eating veggies 🙂 I’ll try this over nachos in the future. AND as an added bonus – I was very worried about the cheese sticking to the pot and having a hard time washing and it came out so easily which always makes the end of a meal even better – love an easy clean up!
Thank you so much Lauren! A good cheese sauce makes almost everything better! Definitely a great addition to nachos – or pretty much anything else 🙂
Loved this! I wanted to do something fun for my boyfriend, so I made some cheese sauce to go with my second attempt at air fryer fries. Both went great!
Mine was a little thick and I had forgotten your advice to add some milk, but neither of us minded because it’s cheese! My boyfriend completely cleaned the bowl! The only change I made was adding a couple splashes of Frank’s Red Hot at the end for a little kick.
Hi Sarah – I’m so glad you and your boyfriend enjoyed the recipe so much! What a fun date night idea. Yum – love the addition of Frank’s for a little kick – sounds delicious! Thanks for taking the time to comment ~ Bernie
Thank you so much Lauren! A good cheese sauce makes almost everything better! Definitely a great addition to nachos – or pretty much anything else . And update for article.
Thanks for stopping by! You’re absolute right – never underestimate a good cheese sauce! – Enjoy the day.
Thank you for this great recipe! It’s our new burger topper and dipping sweet potato fries in it is delicious.
Thank YOU!! Now I have new ways to enjoy the cheese sauce – never tried it on burgers OR sweet potato fries – sounds delicious – will be trying ASAP! – Bernie
Hi there – the recipe is indeed there. You have 2 options: hit the Jump to Recipe button at the top of the post that will immediately take you to the printable recipe card – OR – scroll down to the bottom for the same printable recipe card that contains all of the ingredients, amounts and detailed instructions. Please feel free to adjust your recipe rating to reflect this. Have a nice day. — Bernie
Great base! You can use your favorite melting cheese. I saw one comment that someone used preshredded cheese and I cringed-don’t do it chefs! It won’t melt as well with that coating, I love to see people making this sauce instead of that box fake cheese-so many ingredients that aren’t healthy. I also like to add a bit of Tabasco-not enough that anyone would know it was in there but just enough for bit of flavor! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Susie – thanks so much – so glad you enjoyed the recipe but I really love your tips and (thank you!) reminder NOT to use preshredded cheese!! I’ll have to try the dash of Tabasco next time I make it. I appreciate taking the time to comment – enjoy the day — Bernie
Used this recipe for a small batch of Mac and cheese! I used 3 oz of Gouda and about 1.5 oz of medium cheddar and it was delish! My kids enjoyed it, thank you!!
Hi Aaliyah – thank you! I’m happy you (and your kids!!) enjoyed the recipe. That’s a great cheese flavor combo. Thanks for taking the time to comment — Bernie