My homemade cheese sauce is ultra-creamy, wildly easy , and totally better than anything from a jar. Mild for kids, bold enough for nachos— amazing on everything!

Spoon with homemade cheese sauce dripping off it into a bowl of cheese sauce. - 1

A Reader’s Review

Best cheese sauce EVER! Children and grandchildren think it’s the best ever, including me. Thank you so much!

Secrets To Cheese Sauce Success!

  • Only 4 Ingredients! Why complicate perfection? This sauce is simple, fast, and full of flavor.
  • Sharp Cheddar is My Flavor Secret! Rich, flavorful sharp cheddar cheese is the reason my cheese sauce stands out above the crowd!
  • Melt Slow and Low: My secret to not having lumpy, clumpy cheese sauce is adding the cheese right at the end so it doesn’t get too hot and taking it off the heat as soon as it melts!

Homemade Cheese Sauce Ingredients

Overhead shot of labeled ingredients. - 2
  • Mix It Up! Different cheeses = different vibes. Try Swiss or Gruyère for silky bread dips or Monterey Jack when nachos call your name.
  • Spice It Up! Feeling bold? Add hot sauce, chili peppers, cayenne pepper, or Rotel for that extra kick your taste buds desire.
  • Grate it fresh! Bagged cheese might be easy, but it won’t melt like a dream. Ditch the pre-shredded cheese and grab a grater. Trust me, your cheese sauce will thank you .

How to Make Homemade Cheese Sauce

My easy homemade cheese sauce recipe uses simple ingredients and comes together fast—perfect for vegetables , nachos , or dipping! It’s seriously the best cheese sauce!

  1. Melt: In a medium-sized saucepan , add the unsalted butter. Heat over medium heat until it melts.
  2. Whisk: Whisk in the all-purpose flour until it makes a roux.
  3. Stir: Add in the milk and shredded cheddar cheese to the flour mixture and stir to combine.
  4. Melt: Whisk until the cheese is melted and smooth.
Melted butter in a pot on the stove. - 3

Alyssa’s Pro Tips!

  • How to Prevent Clumps! Cheese gets clumpy or stringy if overheated. To keep it silky smooth, stir in the cheese last , then pull it off the heat!
  • Too thick? Add a splash of milk to smooth it out. But if you love that thick, clingy homemade cheese sauce for pretzels or broccoli —leave it be!
Someone dipping a homemade pretzel into the homemade cheese sauce. - 4

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

If you want to make this homemade cheese sauce ahead, or you are in the rare position of having leftovers, this cheese sauce stores well and is easy to heat and use again.

  • In The Refrigerator: You will need to keep your cheese sauce in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
  • To Reheat: Microwave for 30 seconds, then stir and repeat until it is heated through. Add a splash of milk if the sauce is too thick.
Overhead shot of homemade cheese sauce. - 5

What to Serve with Cheese Sauce

Pour, dip, or drizzle it over pretzel bites , cauliflower fritters , nachos , french fries, baked potatoes, tortilla chips, pasta, steamed broccoli—or pile it onto a roast beef sandwich. Here are a few more ideas!

Homemade Cheese Sauce - 6 Homemade Cheese Sauce - 7

Side Dishes

Crispy Potato Skins

35 minutes

Homemade Cheese Sauce - 8 Homemade Cheese Sauce - 9

Side Dishes

Air Fryer Roasted Garlic Broccoli

15 minutes

Homemade Cheese Sauce - 10 Homemade Cheese Sauce - 11

Recipe Skill Levels

Baked Soft Pretzels (Step by Step Instructions!)

30 minutes

Homemade Cheese Sauce - 12 Homemade Cheese Sauce - 13

Recipe Skill Levels

Carne Asada Fries

10 minutes

Pin this now to find it later

Ingredients1x2x3x

  • ▢ 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ▢ 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • ▢ 1 cup milk
  • ▢ 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions

  • In a medium-sized sauce pan , add 2 tablespoons unsalted butter . Heat over medium-high heat until the butter melts.
  • Whisk 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour until it makes a paste.
  • Add 1 cup milk and 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese and stir to combine.
  • Whisk until the cheese is melted and smooth, and serve!

Video

Notes

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Homemade Cheese Sauce - 14

Easy 4-Ingredient Cheese Sauce

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions

  • In a medium-sized sauce pan , add 2 tablespoons unsalted butter . Heat over medium-high heat until the butter melts.
  • Whisk 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour until it makes a paste.
  • Add 1 cup milk and 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese and stir to combine.
  • Whisk until the cheese is melted and smooth, and serve!

Video

Notes

Nutrition

QR code

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera to view this recipe on your mobile device.

Easy 4-Ingredient Cheese Sauce https://therecipecritic.com/cheese-sauce/