PrintQuick & Creamy Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce (Taco Bell Copycat)
Stop settling for jarred dips. You can make this velvety, smooth homemade nacho cheese sauce from scratch in under 10 minutes. This recipe delivers restaurant-style flavor perfect for game day or dipping tortilla chips.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 8 min
- Total Time: 13 min
- Yield: About 1.5 cups 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk or evaporated milk
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a slight kick)
Instructions
- Grate the cheddar cheese if you have not already. Set aside.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Whisk in the flour to create a smooth paste, called a roux. Cook the roux for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Slowly whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth and there are no lumps. Continue to cook, stirring often, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 3 to 5 minutes. Do not let it boil rapidly.
- Reduce the heat to low. Add the grated cheddar cheese one handful at a time, stirring constantly until each addition is fully melted and smooth before adding the next batch. This step prevents graininess.
- Once all the cheese is incorporated and the sauce is smooth, stir in the salt, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper, if using.
- Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Serve the nacho cheese sauce immediately over tortilla chips, fries, or your favorite snacks.
Notes
- For the smoothest texture, always grate your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make your sauce grainy.
- If the sauce thickens too much while sitting, whisk in a splash of milk or water over low heat until you reach your desired consistency.
- This recipe makes a fantastic topping for baked potatoes or drizzled over tacos for an ultimate cheese topping experience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 8
- Cholesterol: 35