Nif's Simple Cheddar Cheese Sauce

Elevate your dishes with Nif's Simple Cheddar Cheese Sauce, a creamy, velvety blend perfect for everything from drizzling over steamed veggies to enhancing baked potatoes or nachos. Made with just a handful of pantry staples—unsalted butter, all-purpose flour, whole milk, and sharp cheddar cheese—this easy cheese sauce recipe comes together in under 15 minutes. The optional addition of ground mustard powder and black pepper adds a subtle kick of flavor, making it even more irresistible. Whether you're looking to liven up your pasta or serve a crowd-pleasing dip, this rich, homemade cheddar cheese sauce is a go-to comfort food classic.

Nutriscore Rating: 51/100

Prep Time:5 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 0.25 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons ground black pepper (optional)
• 0.25 teaspoons ground mustard powder (optional)

Directions

Step 1

In a medium saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat until it is fully melted and bubbling slightly.

Step 2

Whisk in the all-purpose flour, stirring constantly to create a smooth paste. Cook for 1-2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste, but do not let it brown.

Step 3

Gradually pour in the whole milk, a little at a time, while whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Continue whisking until the mixture is smooth and starts to thicken, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4

Reduce the heat to low and slowly stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese in small handfuls. Allow each addition to fully melt before adding the next handful.

Step 5

Season the sauce with salt, ground black pepper, and ground mustard powder, adjusting to taste. Stir well to combine.

Step 6

Once the cheese sauce is smooth and creamy, remove it from the heat and serve immediately. If the sauce is too thick, you can thin it with a splash of milk until you reach your desired consistency.

Step 7

Enjoy your cheese sauce with steamed vegetables, pasta, baked potatoes, or as a dip for chips and pretzels!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(401.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	852.4

Total Fat 68.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 42.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g
Cholesterol 211.3mg	0%
Sodium 1407.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 27.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 0.7g	0%
Total Sugars 11.8g
Protein 38.0g	0%

Vitamin D 131.4IU	0%
Calcium 1113.3mg	0%
Iron 1.6mg	0%
Potassium 519.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 70.1%

Protein: 17.4%

Carbs: 12.5%