Liven up everything from broccoli to baked potatoes with my 5-minute Easy Cheddar Cheese Sauce!
My parents were lucky in that my brothers and I didn’t need too much convincing to eat our vegetables when we were growing up. Well besides lima beans.
If I never see a bag of frozen succotash again, it’ll be too soon.
That said, even I — a die-hard veggie lover — can appreciate a little jazzing up of my favorite side dish every now and again with a warm and decadent Easy Cheddar Cheese Sauce drizzled on top!
Watch How to Make It
5 Minute Homemade Cheese Sauce
This cheddar cheese sauce takes just 5 minutes to make and will liven up everything from steamed broccoli and cauliflower, to hot baked potatoes. In addition to vegetables it’s also great to stir into pasta and rice, or even pour directly over crunchy tortilla chips for a little homemade nacho action.
The recipe is adapted from the cheddar cheese sauce I made to swirl into my Cheesy Taco Soup, except it has a tad more shredded cheddar to really pump up the flavor.
The result is sensational! Thick and extra-cheesy – perfect for convincing any veggie hater to eat their greens or, for those who don’t really need an extra push, a special, occasional treat.
How to Make Easy Cheddar Cheese Sauce
Start by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then whisk in gluten-free flour (or AP flour if not GF) and cook for 1 minute.
Next, slowly whisk in milk, season with salt and pepper, then cook while stirring constantly until the mixture has thickened, 3-4 minutes.
Turn off the heat then add freshly shredded cheddar cheese and stir until smooth. Taste then add additional salt and pepper if desired.
That’s all she wrote! Liberally drizzle the cheese sauce over your favorite cooked vegetables then devour. I hope you love this decadent, delicious recipe – enjoy!
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 Tablespoons gluten free flour, or AP flour if not GF
- salt and pepper
- 1 cup milk, 2% milk fat or higher recommended
- 1-1/2 cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese, not pre-grated
Directions
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour then whisk for one minute. Slowly whisk in milk to create a smooth sauce then season with salt and pepper and stir to combine.
- Cook while stirring slowly yet constantly until milk has thickened, 4-5 minutes, being careful to adjust the heat so that the milk never boil. Turn off the heat then sprinkle in the cheese. Stir until sauce is melted and smooth then taste and add additional salt and pepper if necessary. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Always use freshly grated cheese in melting applications. If you buy pre shredded it is coated with anti-caking agents that keep it from melting smoothly.
- The key to getting a non-grainy cheese sauce is to never let the milk boil. It should always be at a gentle simmer.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
Adding comment to see the recipe.
Hi Kris! Are you not able to see the recipe?
Yummy! Thank you, made it spicy with jalapeños to layer over French fries. Healthy not so much, delicious 100%
YUM!! Sounds heavenly, Alicia!!! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
Why not preshredded cheese?
Pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt as smooth as freshly grated because it’s coated in starch to prevent it from sticking/clumping in the bag.
I was using this for a while fine but then idk what I’m doing different it suddenly tastes like batter and not cheesy
Hey David! Hmm, I can’t think of why that might be, as the recipe has not changed. Have you changed the products that you’re using?
My dad would make this and add to boiled potatoes. It went well with Salmon patties!!🙂
Oh that sounds delicious, Casey!
Very versatile sauce! I make a Cheesy Chicken Italian bake using this recipe, adding herbs to give it the taste of Italy.
Oo, love that idea, Janet! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
Simple delicious recipe. Thanks. I added a pinch of turmeric to make it more yellow and served it over steamed vegetables.
Sounds delicious!! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe. :)
I’ve made this several times. I love it. Thank you for the recipe!
Does this store in the fridge okay? How would you reheat?
I would think that you could.
Just make it a little thinner, and then re-warm it but don’t cook it.
The only cheese sauce recipe you’ll ever need! Turns out perfect every time.