Nacho Cheese Sauce Recipe

Introduction

This nacho cheese sauce is creamy, spicy, and perfect for elevating your snacks. Made with jalapenos and Velveeta cheese, it delivers a smooth texture with a kick of heat that’s great for dipping or drizzling.

Ingredients

• 2 jalapenos
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce
• 8 oz. cubed Velveeta cheese
• 1 teaspoon paprika

Instructions

1. Step 1: Slice the jalapenos in half, remove the stem and seeds, then cut into smaller slices.
2. Step 2: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the jalapenos with the skin side up and cook for about 2 minutes until softened, allowing the butter to absorb the jalapeno flavor without browning.
3. Step 3: Remove the jalapenos and whisk in the flour. Cook for 2 minutes or until the raw flour smell disappears.
4. Step 4: Gradually add the milk one splash at a time, whisking continuously to blend and prevent the roux from breaking.
5. Step 5: Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower to a simmer. Stir in cayenne pepper, hot sauce, and paprika.
6. Step 6: Reduce heat to low. Once the base is at a gentle heat, add the cubed cheese and stir continuously until completely melted and smooth to avoid graininess.
7. Step 7: Serve the cheese sauce immediately with your favorite sides like chili cheese dogs, fries, tortilla chips, or vegetables.

Tips & Variations

• For a milder sauce, use fewer jalapenos or remove all seeds before cooking.
• Substitute Velveeta with another melting cheese like cheddar for a sharper flavor, though texture may vary.
• If the sauce becomes too thick, stir in a bit more milk to reach your desired consistency.
• Add a squeeze of lime juice at the end for a fresh, tangy twist.

Storage

Store leftover cheese sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently over low heat, stirring frequently and adding a splash of milk if needed to restore creaminess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this cheese sauce without jalapenos?

Yes, you can omit the jalapenos for a milder cheese sauce. You might want to add a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of hot sauce to maintain some depth of flavor.

Why is my cheese sauce grainy?

A grainy texture usually happens if the cheese is added when the heat is too high. Make sure to reduce the heat to low before stirring in the cheese and melt it slowly while stirring continuously.

Nacho Cheese Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 68 reviews

• Author: Hailey
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 1.5 cups 1x

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Description

This creamy and spicy Nacho Cheese Sauce is a perfect blend of melted Velveeta cheese, jalapenos, and a kick of cayenne pepper and hot sauce. It’s a versatile sauce ideal for dipping tortilla chips, topping chili cheese dogs, french fries, potato wedges, or even steamed vegetables. The sauce is made by creating a smooth roux base infused with jalapeno flavor, then melting cheese into it for that classic cheesy texture and taste.

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Ingredients

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Cheese Sauce

• 2 jalapenos, sliced in half, stemmed, seeded, and cut into smaller slices
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce
• 8 oz. Velveeta cheese, cubed
• 1 teaspoon paprika

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Jalapenos: Slice the jalapenos in half, remove the stems and seeds, then cut into smaller slices to release their flavor without overly increasing heat.
2. Infuse Butter with Jalapenos: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the jalapenos skin-side-up and cook for about 2 minutes to soften them and transfer their flavor into the butter without browning it.
3. Make the Roux: Remove the jalapenos, then whisk in the flour to the flavored butter. Cook this mixture for about 2 minutes until you no longer smell raw flour, creating a smooth base for the sauce.
4. Add Milk Gradually: Slowly add the milk one splash at a time while whisking continuously to prevent the roux from breaking. Continue whisking until all the milk is fully incorporated and smooth.
5. Simmer with Spices: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Stir in cayenne pepper, hot sauce, and paprika to add heat and depth of flavor.
6. Melt the Cheese: Turn the heat down to low before adding Velveeta cheese cubes to avoid graininess. Stir continuously until the cheese has melted completely and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
7. Serve Immediately: Use the sauce warm as a dip or topping for chili cheese dogs, French fries, potato wedges, tortilla chips, crusty bread, or vegetables for a delicious snack or meal accompaniment.

Notes

• For a milder sauce, use fewer jalapenos or remove all seeds.
• Velveeta cheese provides a smooth texture, but you can substitute with other processed cheeses with similar meltability.
• Serve the sauce immediately as it can thicken when cooled; reheat gently with a splash of milk to restore consistency.
• You can adjust the amount of hot sauce and cayenne pepper to suit your preferred spice level.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Sauce
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: nacho cheese sauce, jalapeno cheese sauce, Velveeta cheese sauce, spicy cheese dip, cheese sauce for chips