Description
Taco Bell’s legendary nacho cheese sauce elevates ordinary snacks into crave-worthy delights. Creamy, zesty, and packed with bold flavor, this quick homemade version brings restaurant-style magic directly to home kitchens you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
Thickening Agents:
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Seasonings:
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Craft a velvety base by melting butter in a medium saucepan over moderate heat, then gently introduce flour, whisking diligently to eliminate raw taste and create a smooth roux.
- Gradually stream milk into the roux, maintaining constant whisking to prevent lumpy texture, allowing the mixture to transform and thicken over 2-3 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and incorporate shredded cheddar cheese, stirring meticulously until the cheese dissolves completely, producing a silky, uniform sauce.
- Enhance the sauce with a vibrant blend of chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, and salt, stirring thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly throughout the mixture.
- Once the cheese sauce achieves a luxurious, glossy consistency, carefully remove from heat, preparing to elevate your culinary creation with its rich, zesty profile.
- Transfer the warm, aromatic nacho cheese sauce to a serving dish, ready to complement nachos, tacos, or any Mexican-inspired dish craving a decadent, spicy finish.
Notes
- Toast the flour carefully to eliminate raw, floury taste and develop a rich, nutty base for the cheese sauce.
- Use freshly shredded cheddar for smoother melting and superior flavor compared to pre-packaged shredded cheese.
- Maintain low heat when adding cheese to prevent separation and ensure a silky, glossy sauce texture.
- Swap regular milk with almond or oat milk for lactose-free version, and use gluten-free flour for a celiac-friendly alternative.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 460 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg