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Cheese Sauce for Fries Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 57 reviews

A creamy and flavorful cheese sauce perfect for drizzling over fries or using as a dip. This easy-to-make sauce combines a buttery roux base with shredded cheddar cheese, garlic and onion powder, ground mustard, and a hint of hot sauce for a deliciously tangy kick.

Ingredients

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Cheese Sauce Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • ½ cup whole milk (plus 2–3 tablespoons as needed)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground mustard
  • 4 ounces medium cheddar cheese (freshly shredded)
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce (such as Frank’s)

Instructions

  1. Melt Butter and Make Roux: Add the butter to a small saucepan over medium heat and melt it. Whisk in the flour to form a paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring often to avoid burning. This step creates the roux, which will thicken the sauce.
  2. Add Milk and Seasonings: Gradually whisk in ½ cup of whole milk to the roux, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens to a gravy-like consistency. Then whisk in the garlic powder, onion powder, and ground mustard to build layers of flavor.
  3. Add Cheese Off Heat: Remove the saucepan from heat. Add the shredded cheddar cheese a handful at a time, stirring thoroughly after each addition until the cheese melts smoothly into the thickened milk mixture.
  4. Adjust Texture: If needed, place the pan back on low heat to melt any remaining cheese chunks, but avoid prolonged cooking to prevent graininess. Add 1 tablespoon of milk at a time to achieve your preferred sauce thickness, remembering it will thicken further as it cools.
  5. Finish with Hot Sauce: Stir in 1 teaspoon of hot sauce for a slight tangy and spicy note. Serve the warm cheese sauce immediately over fries or as a dip.

Notes

  • Use freshly shredded cheese for the best melting quality and smooth texture.
  • Do not overheat the cheese sauce to avoid separating or graininess.
  • Adjust the thickness by adding more milk; sauce thickens upon cooling.
  • For a milder flavor, reduce or omit the hot sauce.
  • This sauce can be kept warm on very low heat but is best fresh.

Keywords: cheese sauce, cheddar cheese sauce, sauce for fries, cheddar cheese dip, quick cheese sauce

Find it online: https://thehungrymason.com/cheese-sauce-for-fries-recipe/