Description
This rich and velvety homemade cheese sauce for fries is the ultimate indulgent topping! Made with sharp cheddar, butter, and a blend of savory seasonings, it’s creamy, smooth, and perfect for drizzling over crispy fries, nachos, or baked potatoes. Skip the store-bought versions—this easy recipe delivers unbeatable flavor in minutes!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk (or half-and-half for extra richness)
- 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp paprika (optional for a smoky kick)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the butter until fully liquid and slightly bubbly.
- Whisk in the flour, stirring constantly for about 1-2 minutes until the mixture turns golden and fragrant.
- Gradually pour in the milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Keep stirring over medium heat until the mixture thickens (about 3-4 minutes).
- Reduce the heat to low and add the shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika (if using). Stir until the cheese melts completely and the sauce is silky smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded cheese—pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
- Adjust thickness by adding more milk if the sauce becomes too thick.
- Keep heat low when melting cheese to prevent separation.
- Experiment with cheeses like Monterey Jack, Gouda, or pepper jack for different flavors.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ cup
- Calories: 180 Kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: cheese sauce for fries, homemade cheese sauce, cheddar cheese sauce, creamy cheese dip, easy cheese sauce recipe