Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce

Forget store-bought nacho sauce—homemade tastes better and is easier to make than you think! In 10 minutes, you can create a delicious, cheesy masterpiece that's perfect as a dip or poured over nachos. And honestly, we won't judge if you eat it with a spoon—it's that good!

Pair this with us The ultimate nacho recipe Or it drizzles on us Pulled pork nachos For the cheesy kick!

It may sound cheesy, but the nacho cheese sauce is absolutely irresistible! Think of it as cheese gravy—what's not to love about it? Serve it with chips, pretzels, crackers, or use it to top your favorite nachos. You can even drizzle it over steamed vegetables or slather a baked potato with it. With many pairing options, this sauce is perfect for anyone who can't get enough cheese.

Material notes

• Butter: Use salted butter or unsalted butter with a pinch of salt.
• All-Purpose Flour: Stick with classic all-purpose flour for this recipe.
• Pepper: Optional but the nacho cheese gives the sauce a bit of a spicy kick.
• Milk:

Real Cheddar vs. Processed Cheese

Let's talk about the cheese! When it comes to nacho cheese sauce, you have plenty of options, each delicious in its own way. Our top choice is real cheddar – esp freshly grated sharp cheddar For its superior taste and smooth melting.

Pre-Shaded Cheddar A bag contains additives to prevent clumping, which can affect how well it melts. Note that cheddar cheese tends to create a thin, slightly grainy sauce.

Processed cheese Another classic option for nacho cheese sauce is Velveeta. They make a thicker, smoother and creamier sauce, although some people prefer to avoid the processed taste of American cheese. The choice is yours, and each option brings its own unique texture and flavor to the table!

Create more flavor

Chop onion and garlic: Saute some finely chopped onion and garlic in butter before adding the flour. It gives the sauce an aromatic, flavorful kick!

Beer: Swap up to half of the milk for a light beer to add a rich, malty vibe to your sauce.

Cumin or Mustard: Toss in 1/2 teaspoon cumin or mustard for an easy way to boost flavor.

Taco Seasoning: A teaspoon of taco seasoning for bold, saucy, Mexican-inspired goodness.

Roasted Vegetables: Roasted poblano or red peppers are a game-changer, adding a smoky-sweet touch to your sauce.

Pepper Jack or Blue Cheese: For a cheesy twist, mix in some pepper jack for a little spice or crumble into blue cheese for a tangy, creamy finish.

Create more heat

Jalapeno, serrano or habanero peppers: Finely dice fresh or pickled jalapeños and stir them in for an easy, spicy upgrade. For serious spice lovers, finely diced serrano or habanero peppers really kick up the heat.

Hot Sauce: Add a dash of your favorite hot sauce, from mild Tabasco to Sriracha, for customizable heat.

Chili powder or smoked paprika: Stir in 1/4 tsp to create a more subtle heat.

Chipotle Chili in Adobo: Blend in 1-2 teaspoons of finely chopped chipotle peppers for a smoky heat that can burn.

Watch the video below Where Rachel walks you through each step of this recipe. Sometimes it helps to have a visual, and we've always got you covered with our cooking show. You can find the complete collection of recipes YouTubeour Facebook pageOr here on our website with their respective recipes.