Description

This creamy cheddar cheese sauce is a rich and flavorful accompaniment perfect for drizzling over vegetables, pasta, or baked dishes. Made with a classic roux base, it balances the sharpness of cheddar with a hint of heat from cayenne or hot sauce, creating a smooth and versatile sauce that enhances any meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Dairy

1 cup whole milk (more, if needed)
2 tablespoons (1 oz) unsalted butter
1 cup grated cheddar cheese

Dry Ingredients

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Seasonings

3/4 teaspoon ground cayenne or store-bought or homemade hot sauce
Sea salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Heat the Milk: Warm the milk in a large saucepan over medium heat until small bubbles form around the edges, signaling it’s hot but not boiling.
Melt Butter: In a separate saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat until bubbling.
Make Roux: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the melted butter and stir constantly for 1 to 2 minutes until a thick paste (roux) forms. The roux might be very thick or slightly less thick—both are acceptable.
Combine Milk and Roux: While whisking continuously, slowly pour the warm milk into the roux in a steady stream to prevent lumps.
Thicken Sauce: Continue whisking and cooking for 3 to 5 minutes until the mixture thickens to a smooth, pourable consistency.
Add Cheese: Stir in the grated cheddar cheese and whisk until fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
Season: Add cayenne pepper or hot sauce along with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, whisking to combine evenly.
Optional Straining: For a perfectly smooth sauce, strain it through a sieve to remove any lumps before serving. Note that the sauce will thicken further as it cools.

Notes

If the sauce is too thick, add more warm milk a little at a time to reach desired consistency.
Adjust cayenne or hot sauce according to your heat preference.
This sauce pairs well with steamed vegetables, macaroni, baked potatoes, or grilled meats.
For storing, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat gently with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Sauce
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: cheddar cheese sauce, cheese sauce recipe, homemade cheese sauce, cheddar sauce, creamy cheese sauce