Description
A quick and creamy cheese sauce made with butter, flour, milk, and a blend of cheddar and American cheeses. Perfect for drizzling over vegetables, pasta, or baked dishes, this easy-to-make sauce takes just 10 minutes.
Ingredients
Cheese Sauce Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon salted butter
- 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 cup whole milk
- 4 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese (about 1 cup)
- 2 slices American cheese
Instructions
- Melt the butter: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat, ensuring it doesn’t brown or burn.
- Add flour and salt: Stir in the all-purpose flour and fine sea salt, whisking constantly to combine into a smooth paste.
- Cook the roux: Continue whisking for 30-60 seconds until the mixture becomes bubbly and turns a light golden color, which cooks out the raw flour taste.
- Incorporate milk: Gradually whisk in the whole milk until the mixture is smooth, then cook on medium heat until the sauce slightly thickens, stirring frequently to prevent lumps.
- Add cheeses: Add shredded cheddar and American cheese slices, whisking continuously until the cheese melts completely and the sauce is thick and velvety.
- Serve: Once smooth and thickened, serve the sauce immediately over your favorite dishes.
Notes
- Use whole milk for the creamiest texture; low-fat milk will result in a thinner sauce.
- For a sharper flavor, substitute sharp cheddar cheese or blend different cheese varieties.
- This sauce tends to thicken as it cools; reheat gently with a splash of milk to restore consistency.
- To avoid lumps, add the milk slowly while continuously whisking during step 4.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
