Easy Cheese Sauce Recipe

Introduction

This easy cheese sauce is a creamy, comforting addition to many dishes. Made with just a few simple ingredients, it’s perfect for dipping, drizzling, or mixing into your favorite recipes.

The image shows a close-up of a woman's hand dipping a small, light brown, slightly toasted pretzel into a smooth, creamy, pale yellow cheese sauce in a white bowl. The cheese sauce looks thick and shiny as it drips slowly from the pretzel back into the bowl. The background features a white marbled surface with a blurred wooden basket in the distance. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup milk, plus more if needed
  • 8 ounces deluxe American cheese slices, cut into smaller pieces

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Step 2: Whisk in the flour and then slowly whisk in the milk. Continue whisking until it comes to a slight simmer.
  3. Step 3: Reduce the heat to low. Add in the cheese and stir frequently until melted.
  4. Step 4: Serve immediately or keep warm over low heat so it stays melty. Whisk in additional milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, if the sauce starts to thicken.

Tips & Variations

  • Use sharp cheddar or a blend of cheeses for a stronger flavor.
  • Add a pinch of smoked paprika or mustard powder for a subtle kick.
  • If the sauce thickens too much, thin it out with a splash of milk.

Storage

Store leftover cheese sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently over low heat, stirring frequently; add a bit of milk if it becomes too thick.

How to Serve

A woman's hand is dipping a soft pretzel piece into a bowl filled with smooth, creamy yellow cheese sauce. The pretzel is light brown with a slightly shiny, salted surface and a soft texture. The bowl is white and round, sitting on a white marbled surface, with the cheese sauce thickly coating the pretzel as it is lifted out. The background is softly blurred, focusing on the rich cheese and pretzel interaction. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Yes, you can substitute American cheese with cheddar, Monterey Jack, or any melting cheese you prefer. Just be aware that melting qualities and flavor will vary.

What can I serve with this cheese sauce?

This sauce is delicious over steamed vegetables, nachos, pretzels, baked potatoes, or as a dip for chips and finger foods.

Print

Easy Cheese Sauce Recipe

This easy cheese sauce recipe is a quick and creamy delight, perfect for drizzling over vegetables, nachos, or as a dip. Made with simple ingredients like butter, flour, milk, and American cheese slices, it melts smoothly to create a rich and velvety sauce that can be customized with additional milk for your preferred consistency.

  • Author: Elena
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: Approximately 1 cup of cheese sauce 1x
  • Category: Basics
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Sauce Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup milk, plus more if needed
  • 8 ounces deluxe American cheese slices, cut into smaller pieces

Instructions

  1. Melt Butter: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat to create a base for the roux, which will thicken the sauce.
  2. Create Roux and Add Milk: Whisk in the flour thoroughly and then slowly whisk in the milk, continuing to whisk until the mixture comes to a slight simmer, ensuring no lumps form.
  3. Incorporate Cheese: Reduce heat to low and add the American cheese slices to the milk mixture, stirring frequently until the cheese fully melts and the sauce is smooth.
  4. Adjust Consistency and Serve: Serve the cheese sauce immediately, or keep warm over low heat to maintain its melty texture. If the sauce thickens too much while warming, whisk in additional milk one tablespoon at a time to reach the desired consistency.

Notes

  • Use deluxe American cheese slices for a smooth, creamy texture and better meltability.
  • If sauce thickens too much when reheated, add milk gradually to loosen it.
  • Serve immediately for optimal flavor and texture, or keep warm on low heat if needed.
  • This sauce pairs wonderfully with soft pretzel bites, vegetables, or as a dip for snacks.

Keywords: easy cheese sauce, creamy cheese sauce, American cheese sauce, stovetop cheese sauce, cheese dip, snack sauce

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