Creamy Cheddar Cheese Sauce for Fries Recipe
Introduction
This creamy cheese sauce is the perfect companion for crispy fries, adding rich flavor and a smooth texture that’s easy to whip up at home. Made with simple pantry ingredients, it’s a quick way to elevate your snack or side dish.
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
- Step 1: Add the butter to a small saucepan over medium heat and melt. Whisk in the flour to form a paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring often to avoid burning.
- Step 2: Add ½ cup of milk to the flour mixture and whisk constantly until the mixture thickens to the consistency of a gravy. Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, and ground mustard.
- Step 3: Remove the pan from the heat and add the shredded cheese gradually, stirring after each handful until the sauce is smooth and fully melted.
- Step 4: If needed, return the pan to low heat to melt any remaining cheese, but do not cook longer than necessary to avoid a grainy texture. Add milk one tablespoon at a time to adjust the thickness, remembering the sauce will thicken as it cools.
- Step 5: Stir in the hot sauce and serve the cheese sauce warm over fries or your favorite snacks.
Tips & Variations
- Use sharp cheddar for a tangier flavor or mix cheeses like Monterey Jack for a creamier texture.
- Add a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper for a smoky or spicier kick.
- If the sauce becomes too thick after cooling, gently reheat it with a splash of milk to restore its creamy consistency.
Storage
Store any leftover cheese sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on low heat, stirring frequently, and add a little milk if needed to loosen the sauce.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of milk for the cheese sauce?
Yes, you can use 2% or whole milk for best results. Using lower-fat milk may result in a thinner sauce, so you might need to adjust the amount of flour or cheese for desired thickness.
How do I prevent the cheese sauce from becoming grainy?
Remove the pan from heat before adding the cheese and stir gently until melted. Avoid cooking the sauce on high heat or for too long after adding cheese, as this can cause the sauce to separate and become grainy.
PrintCreamy Cheddar Cheese Sauce for Fries Recipe
This creamy and flavorful cheese sauce is perfect for drizzling over crispy fries, combining a rich blend of cheddar cheese and subtle spices for a deliciously smooth finish.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: About 1 cup of cheese sauce (serves 4) 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
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
- Make the 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 and to cook out the raw flour taste.
- Add Milk and Spices: Slowly pour in ½ cup of milk while whisking constantly until the mixture thickens to a gravy-like consistency. Whisk in the garlic powder, onion powder, and ground mustard to infuse the sauce with flavor.
- Melt the Cheese: Remove the pan from heat and gradually add the shredded cheddar cheese one handful at a time, stirring continuously until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Adjust Consistency: If needed, return the sauce to low heat briefly to ensure all cheese melts completely, being careful not to overheat and cause graininess. Add additional milk 1 tablespoon at a time to reach your desired thickness, remembering the sauce will thicken more as it cools.
- Finish with Hot Sauce: Stir in 1 teaspoon of hot sauce to add a subtle spicy kick, then serve the cheese sauce warm alongside fries or your favorite snacks.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded cheese for smoother melting and better texture.
- Do not overcook the cheese sauce on heat to avoid graininess.
- Adjust milk quantity to achieve your preferred sauce thickness.
- Hot sauce can be adjusted or omitted based on spice preference.
- This sauce is best served immediately but can be gently reheated with extra milk to loosen.
Keywords: cheese sauce, cheddar cheese sauce, sauce for fries, easy cheese sauce, homemade cheese dip
