Nothing is better than a warm, gooey cheese sauce over pasta or chicken parmesan. But if you’ve ever tried to make one at home, then you know that it can be a little tricky to get just right. A few minutes can mean the difference between a thick and creamy sauce that’s perfect for dipping breadsticks in and an overcooked, lumpy mess. Luckily for us (and you), we’ve got all the secrets on how to make the perfect cheese sauce from scratch!
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and whisk in flour.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and whisk in flour.
- Whisk until the mixture is smooth and bubbly, about 1 minute.
- Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes before adding cheese, milk and seasonings.
Add milk and whisk until it has thickened into a smooth sauce.
You will know you have added enough milk when the sauce has thickened and is no longer runny. Do not add too much milk at once, or it will be difficult to whisk out any lumps. If you do not add enough, your cheese sauce will be too thick and clumpy.
When it comes time to add flour and butter, start with only one tablespoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency of your sauce (if needed).
Add cheese and stir until melted (and bubbly).
When it comes to cheese, the more you add at once, the harder it is for your sauce to reach its full potential. The best way to achieve a perfect cheese sauce is by adding small amounts of cheese and stirring constantly until fully melted before adding more.
- Add 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter over medium heat in a large saucepan or Dutch oven; let melt completely (about 2 minutes).
- Add 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; continue cooking until mixture becomes bubbly and light brown in color (about 3 minutes). Be sure not to let this mixture burn! If your pan gets too hot just turn down the heat slightly until everything looks right again.*
In addition: You can use pre-shredded cheddar for this recipe if you’re short on time or patience! Just make sure it comes from a block rather than the bagged stuff–you’ll need less than half as much if buying pre-shredded because those little bits won’t melt properly.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Don’t overseason. You can always add more salt, but you can’t take it away once it’s in there!
- Don’t add too much pepper; it will make the sauce taste spicy instead of cheesy.
You can make this delicious cheese sauce in less than 15 minutes.
You can make this delicious cheese sauce in less than 15 minutes. It’s perfect for topping broccoli, potatoes, or anything else you want to put it on!
- 1 cup milk (any kind)
- 1/2 cup butter (or margarine)
- 2 tablespoons flour (all-purpose)
Conclusion
This cheese sauce is so easy to make, and it tastes so much better than anything you can buy in the store. It’s perfect for making nachos, macaroni and cheese or even just eating by itself! I hope you enjoyed this recipe as much as I did
