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Creamy Cheddar Cheese Sauce for Fries Recipe

4.5 from 84 reviews

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.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Sauce Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • ½ cup whole milk (plus 23 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. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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