Creamy Cheese Sauce
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Created: 1/12/2025
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
This velvety cheese sauce is a versatile and indulgent addition to any dish. Perfect for drizzling over vegetables, mixing into pasta, or as a decadent dipping sauce, its savory richness is sure to enhance your culinary creations. With a smooth and creamy texture, this cheese sauce is both comforting and inviting.
Ingredients:
Yield: 4-6 servings
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Pinch of paprika (optional, for added color)
Instructions:
Step 1
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter, ensuring it doesn't brown.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter, ensuring it doesn't brown.
Step 2
Once the butter is melted, add the all-purpose flour, stirring continuously to form a smooth paste. This mixture is called a roux and will help thicken the sauce.
Once the butter is melted, add the all-purpose flour, stirring continuously to form a smooth paste. This mixture is called a roux and will help thicken the sauce.
Step 3
Cook the roux for about 1 to 2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste, but be careful not to let it darken.
Cook the roux for about 1 to 2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste, but be careful not to let it darken.
Step 4
Slowly pour in the whole milk while whisking continuously to prevent any lumps from forming.
Slowly pour in the whole milk while whisking continuously to prevent any lumps from forming.
Step 5
Continue to cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce starts to thicken, which should take about 3 to 5 minutes.
Continue to cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce starts to thicken, which should take about 3 to 5 minutes.
Step 6
Reduce the heat to low and gradually add the shredded cheddar cheese, a handful at a time, stirring until fully melted and smooth after each addition.
Reduce the heat to low and gradually add the shredded cheddar cheese, a handful at a time, stirring until fully melted and smooth after each addition.
Step 7
Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of paprika if desired, adjusting the seasonings to taste.
Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of paprika if desired, adjusting the seasonings to taste.
Step 8
Once the cheese sauce is smooth and creamy, remove it from heat.
Once the cheese sauce is smooth and creamy, remove it from heat.
Step 9
Serve the cheese sauce immediately over your favorite dish, or keep it warm on low heat, stirring occasionally to maintain its smooth consistency.
Serve the cheese sauce immediately over your favorite dish, or keep it warm on low heat, stirring occasionally to maintain its smooth consistency.