Nacho Cheese Sauce Recipe

Thanks to this Nacho Cheese Sauce Recipe, there’s no need to wait in line at that concession stand!

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Are you ready for your fun fact of the day? The classic nacho cheese often found in movie theaters and state fairs can be made from scratch! Why yes, that enticing flavor from our childhoods, like the cheese dip served with tortilla chips at my local AMC theater. The delicious dipping sauce that came with my giant soft pretzel at the fair. That’s the nacho cheese I’m talking about. But I’m thrilled to share that this homemade version is incredibly superior.

Homemade nacho cheese sauce is creamy, smooth, and packed with flavor. The steam rising off of it just begs for a chip to be dunked. It’s the perfect dip to bring to any party, but beware—you may need to make a couple of batches because this cheese sauce won’t last the night! It’s a sauce for kids and adults alike and is absolutely awesome on top of a wide variety of foods. Thanks to its versatility, you can spice it up, tone it down, or create a smoky flavor in just a few minutes.

Is Nacho Cheese Sauce Recipe Healthy?

The short answer to this question is no, not really. Yeah, there’s a lot of fat, but sometimes, we don’t eat for nutritional value. Sometimes, we seek a hug in food form, which is exactly what nacho cheese sauce is. If it’s any consolation, this sauce contains plenty of calcium and protein! So, as always, enjoy everything in moderation!

How to make Tortilla chips to pair with nacho cheese sauce?

Many of us agree that the best pairing for nacho cheese sauce is a bowl of warm, crunchy, and salty tortilla chips. If you’re on a homemade kick, I highly recommend making these as well instead of purchasing a bag at the grocery store. It’s easier to do than you may think, and immensely cost effective. All you need are:

Some corn tortillas.
Extra-virgin olive oil.
Fine sea salt (or any salt you have on hand).
An air fryer.

If you don’t own an air fryer, I highly suggest getting one, as they’re great. That said, you don’t need to buy one to make homemade tortilla chips; your oven will also work. For a fantastic tortilla chip recipe, click here.

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

Melt

Melt butter and mix in flour.

Combine

Add milk and thicken; mix in cheese and spices.

Serve

Enjoy warm with snacks.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store?

If you’re hoping to bring a tasty bowl of nacho cheese sauce to your Friday night hangout, this recipe can easily be made ahead of time! Once made and given time to cool slightly, place your nacho cheese sauce in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days.

say no to curds!

If you’re worried about your nacho cheese sauce curdling, you can toss your cheddar cheese in some cornstarch prior to cooking. This quick step helps prevent curdling and ensures a smooth sauce.

achieve authentic theater nachos

If you’re wondering what makes a theater nacho dip so different in flavor, the answer may just be pickled jalapeño juice. This is a common trick to enhance the flavor and heat of nacho cheese sauce, and you can easily do it at home! Simply pour an amount of your choosing of pickled jalapeño juice into your cheese sauce while cooking on the stove.

Serving Suggestions

As mentioned above, a great friend of nacho cheese sauce is the classic tortilla chip. But tortilla chips are not the only food that complements this recipe! You can pour a hearty serving of nacho cheese sauce on top of French fries, tater tots, hot dogs, tacos, and nachos. It is also a great dip for soft pretzels, chicken wings, taquitos, and garlic knots. Bring life to the party with this vibrant and tasty nacho cheese sauce!