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Nacho Cheese Sauce Recipe
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5 from 13 votes

Nacho Cheese Sauce Recipe

This spicy homemade nacho cheese sauce recipe is easy to make and tastes just like movie theater nachos with a trick I learned behind the concession stand.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Course: Appetizer, sauce, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cheese, nachos
Servings: 8
Calories: 165kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 cup milk use whole milk for richer flavor
  • 8 ounces melty cheese processed American cheese melts best for nacho cheese, but cheddar is great for flavor - you can easily add more cheese for cheesier nacho cheese
  • 2-3 tablespoons pickled jalapeno juice
  • Pinch of salt optional, if desired

Instructions

  • Heat a sauce pan or small pot to medium heat. Add the butter and melt it.
  • Stir in the flour and stir continuously for 2-3 minutes to form a roux.
  • Stir in the milk and allow to simmer. It will bubble just a bit around the edges.
  • Reduce the heat to low, then stir in the cheese a bit at a time. Continue stirring until it all melts through.
  • Stir in the pickled jalapeno juice (and some of the pickled jalapenos, too, if you want!). Keep stirring until the nacho cheese sauce is nice and smooth.
  • Taste and adjust for salt, then serve with tortilla chips!

Video

Notes

Makes about 2 cups of nacho cheese.

Nutrition

Calories: 165kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 214mg | Potassium: 71mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 421IU | Calcium: 240mg | Iron: 1mg