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Home / Recipes

Nacho Cheese Sauce

10 minutes
4.68 from 50 votes
2 Comments
Jump to RecipePrint Recipe
  • 280
by: Joanna Cismaru
02.14.21

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pin for nacho cheese sauce.

This Nacho Cheese Sauce showcases how simple ingredients can come together to make a delectable, versatile and flavorful sauce! Made with just 5 ingredients, in just 10 minutes, it’s guaranteed to replace any store bought version you can find!

a hand dipping a tortilla chip in a bowl of nacho cheese sauce.

What do you call cheese that’s not yours? Nacho cheese! All jokes aside, this nacho cheese sauce is the BEST! I love simple recipes that take little, to no effort, yet produce maximum flavor. That’s what we’re doing today! Using only 5 ingredients, we are creating a luscious, creamy cheese sauce that will have your tastebuds dancing.

Nacho Cheese? It Can Be!

  • Easy To Make
  • Simple, Short Ingredient List
  • Delicious & Versatile
  • Better & Less Expensive Than Store Bought

Requiring almost zero prep, and made in a matter of minutes, this nacho cheese sauce is the perfect addition to amplify any basic dish to make it a stand-out crowd pleaser. I mean, 5 ingredients that you’ll most likely already have at home? Doesn’t get much better than that!

Ingredient Notes

overhead shot of ingredients needed to make nacho cheese sauce.
  • Butter â€“ I always use unsalted to control the sodium.
  • Flour – I used all-purpose flour, cornstarch can be used for a gluten free alternative. This is going to help thicken the sauce.
  • Milk – Any type will work, dairy or non dairy. Use your preference!
  • Cheese – Now I hardly ever use Velveeta, but sometimes you just have to if you want the most silkiest and smoothest cheese sauce. Of course you don’t have to, you could always use a Monterey Jack cheese or cheddar cheese, or even a combination of the two, but if you really want a creamy smooth sauce, go with Velveeta.
  • Hot Sauce – Use your favorite! You can also make your own at home using my hot sauce recipe.

How To Make Nacho Cheese Sauce

detailed process shots showing how to make nacho cheese sauce.
  1. Make Roux: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour to make a roux and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, while whisking continuously to remove the raw flour taste.
  2. Finish: Whisk in the milk and bring to a simmer. Add the cheese and cook for another 2 minutes or until the cheese melts. Add the hot sauce and stir.
  3. Serve: Serve with tortilla chips.

FAQs & Expert Tips

FAQs

What Is A Roux?

A roux is a mixture of equal parts butter and flour, whisked and cooked together. It’s used as a thickener in sauces!

What Types Of Cheese Can I Use?

Honestly, you can use any cheese you want! Although I chose to use Velveeta for a smooth and silky sauce, you could choose any cheese that that melt easily and have a distinct flavor like Monterey jack, or cheddar, but the choice is yours! You can play around with different varieties or combinations to find your favorite.

How To Serve

Well of course I’m going to say on top of tortilla chips, it’s nacho cheese sauce! However, the name does not make the sauce. You can use this creamy cheese sauce on veggies, pasta, potatoes, you name it! Anything that you think needs a little cheese sauce, ADD IT.

a plate full of tortilla chips drizzled with nacho cheese sauce.

Tips

  1. Make sure when making the roux, to whisk constantly to remove any lumps.
  2. For a gluten free version, use cornstarch in place of flour.
  3. Not a fan of hot sauce? Leave it out! I find it adds a nice kick of flavor, but the choice is yours.
a plate full of tortilla chips with a bowl of nacho cheese sauce in the middle.

Storing

After your nacho cheese sauce has cooled to room temperature, transfer it into an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, and then reheated in a saucepan over low heat when ready to use.

Freezing

I don’t recommend freezing this sauce as the consistency, texture and flavor will change.

a plate full of tortilla chips drizzled with nacho cheese sauce.

More Great Recipes To Try

  • Baked Mac And Cheese
  • Easy Nachos
  • Easy Guacamole
  • Perfect Pork Tenderloin
  • Broccoli Cheese Soup

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a hand dipping a tortilla chip in a bowl of nacho cheese sauce.

Nacho Cheese Sauce

4.68 from 50 votes
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 5 mins
Total: 10 mins
Author: Joanna Cismaru
Serves: 6
Print Pin Rate
This Nacho Cheese Sauce showcases how simple ingredients can come together to make a delectable, versatile and flavorful sauce! Made with just 5 ingredients, in just 10 minutes, it's guaranteed to replace any store bought version you can find!

Equipment

  • 1-Quart Saucepan

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon butter unsalted
  • 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • 8 ounce Velveeta or shredded Monterey Jack
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Make Roux: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour to make a roux and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, while whisking continuously to remove the raw flour taste.
  • Finish: Whisk in the milk and bring to a simmer. Add the cheese and cook for another 2 minutes or until the cheese melts. Add the hot sauce and stir.
  • Serve: Serve with tortilla chips.

Recipe Notes

  1. Make sure when making the roux, to whisk constantly to remove any lumps.
  2. For a gluten free version, use cornstarch in place of flour.
  3. Not a fan of hot sauce? Leave it out! I find it adds a nice kick of flavor, but the choice is yours.
  4. After your nacho cheese sauce has cooled to room temperature, transfer it into an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, and then reheated in a saucepan over low heat when ready to use.
  5. I don’t recommend freezing this sauce as the consistency, texture and flavor will change.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1servingCalories: 152kcal (8%)Carbohydrates: 8g (3%)Protein: 9g (18%)Fat: 9g (14%)Saturated Fat: 6g (38%)Trans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 30mg (10%)Sodium: 675mg (29%)Potassium: 191mg (5%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 5g (6%)Vitamin A: 557IU (11%)Vitamin C: 2mg (2%)Calcium: 265mg (27%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
Course:Sauce, Snack
Cuisine:American, Mexican
Keyword:nacho cheese sauce
Tried this recipe? Rate it belowtag @jocooks on instagram and hashtag it #jocooks!
  • 280

Meet Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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Comments

  1. Nan says

    February 16, 2021 at 8:42 am

    5 stars
    Loved this quick easy recipe!

    Reply
    • Jo Cooks Team says

      February 16, 2021 at 9:45 am

      Awesome! We are so glad you liked it 🙂

      Reply

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Joanna Cismaru

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I'm Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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