Best Cheese Sauce Recipe (for Fries) (2024)

By Laura

Posted Aug 27, 2021, Updated Feb 24, 2024

5 from 11 votes

4 Comments

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This is the best cheese sauce recipe ever. It only takes 5 minutes and 6 ingredients to make the most delicious, creamy cheese sauce for fries, soft pretzels, broccoli, etc.

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During three of my six pregnancies, my most-craved food combination was cheese fries and kale salad (haha)! So, I created this recipe for the best cheese sauce ever! You’ll never buy the canned sauce again once you try this homemade recipe.

This cheese sauce is creamy, cheesy and easy to make in 5 minutes with only 6 ingredients.

It’s the most delicious cheese sauce for homemade fries, soft pretzels (or pretzel bread), broccoli, etc. and perfect to whip up whenever the craving strikes without having to go to a restaurant.

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Cheese Sauce: Ingredients & Substitutions

Let’s discuss the ingredients in this recipe, as well as possible substitutions.

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  • Salted butter. Unsalted butter can be used in this recipe in place of salted butter.
  • All-purpose flour. to make it gluten-free, use an all-purpose gluten-free flour.
  • Whole milk. I don’t suggest using a lower fat milk because the fat content makes it extra creamy. You could use heavy cream, half and half or 2% milk (if you had to).
  • Cheddar Cheese. I suggest a sharp variety for the best flavor, but you can use your favorite.
  • American cheese. This ingredient makes this recipe taste like the sauces you get at your favorite fast food restaurants. You can omit it and add ¼ cup more cheddar cheese if you prefer, but you’ll loose the “take out” flavor.
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How to Make Cheese Sauce

This cheese sauce recipe is easy to make in 5 minutes with only 6 ingredients! We’ll walk through the process step-by-step and don’t forget to watch the video.

To begin we make a roux by melting the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.

Then, once the butter is melted, add the flour and salt and whisk to combine.

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Cook until mixture is bubbly and just lightly browned (about 30-60 seconds) Then, whisk in the milk until smooth and continue cooking until mixture is slightly thickened.

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Add the cheese (both cheddar and American) and whisk until they are melted and mixture is thick and smooth.

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Serve

Serve this homemade cheese sauce with homemade fries (or frozen), broccoli, pretzel bread, soft pretzels, use it to make nachos, etc.

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Store or Freeze

Store this recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. It will thicken as it cools. Gently warm it in the microwave or on the stovetop to reheat and serve again.

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Homemade Cheese Sauce Recipe FAQs

What cheese melts best for sauce?

I prefer using a mixture of sharp cheddar and American cheese for the best flavor and texture.

How do you make cheese sauce stay melted?

Keep it warm, it thickens as it cools.

How do you make cheese sauce more flavorful?

I love the flavor of this recipe. However to “spice it up” you could add hot sauce, smoked paprika, garlic, onions, crumbled bacon, etc.

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Best Cheese Sauce Recipe (for Fries) (13)

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Cheese Sauce Recipe

Laura

This is the best cheese sauce recipe ever. It only takes 5 minutes and 6 ingredients to make the most delicious, creamy cheese sauce for fries, soft pretzels, broccoli, etc.

5 from 11 votes

Course condiment, sauce, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 8 servings

Calories 111

Prep Time5 minutes minutes

Cook Time5 minutes minutes

Total Time10 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a small saucepan melt butter over medium heat.

  • Add flour and salt and whisk to combine.

  • Cook until mixture is bubbly and just lightly browned (about 30-60 seconds)

  • Whisk in milk until smooth, then continue cooking until mixture is slightly thickened.

  • Add cheddar and American cheese and whisk until melted and mixture is thick and smooth.

  • Serve immediately.

Video

Notes

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Salted butter. Unsalted butter can be used in this recipe in place of salted butter.
  • All-purpose flour. to make it gluten-free, use an all-purpose gluten-free flour.
  • Whole milk. I don’t suggest using a lower fat milk because the fat content makes it extra creamy. You could use heavy cream, half and half or 2% milk (if you had to).
  • Cheddar Cheese. I suggest a sharp variety for the best flavor, but you can use your favorite.
  • American cheese. This ingredient makes this recipe taste like the sauces you get at your favorite fast food restaurants. You can omit it and add ¼ cup more cheddar cheese if you prefer, but you’ll loose the “take out” flavor.

Serve

Serve this homemade cheese sauce with fries (homemade or frozen), broccoli, pretzel bread, soft pretzels, use it to make nachos, etc.

Store/Freeze

Store this cheese sauce recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for 2 months. It will thicken as it cools. Gently warm it in the microwave or on the stovetop to reheat and serve again.

Nutrition

Serving: 2Tablespoons | Calories: 111kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 274mg | Potassium: 63mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 285IU | Calcium: 192mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

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Best Cheese Sauce Recipe (for Fries) (2024)

FAQs

What is the best melting cheese for a sauce? ›

Cheeses with more moisture and lower melting points make for mouthwatering, creamy cheese sauces. Cheddar is one of the most popular choices, but Swiss and Gruyère are also terrific options.

What kind of cheese sauce does Culver's use? ›

Our sauce is made with real melted Wisconsin sharp cheddar and served warm. It pairs perfectly with many items on our menu, including our warm, buttery Wisconsin Cheese Curds, golden-brown Chili Cheddar Fries, and pillowy Pretzel Bites.

How to make cheese sauce for fries reddit? ›

1 tablespoon butter, 1 tablespoon flour, 1 cup milk and 1 cup shredded cheese. Melt butter stir in flour and cook for a minute or so, add milk by quarter cups until smooth and thick, turn real low add shreds a little at a time until all in and you have cheese sauce. You can add more cheese to make it cheesier.

How do you enhance cheese sauce? ›

I add a little bit of Colmans mustard powder. It seems to add to the cheese flavour without making the sauce taste like mustard. A small amount of umami - I use a little Marmite or Worcestershire Sauce. Use an extra sharp cheddar and some cream cheese to stabilize the sauce.

What cheeses are best for cheese sauce? ›

Cheeses like gruyère, fontina, cheddar, and havarti are best for meltability. Other ideal options, according to AlSawwaf, include provolone, Colby, Swiss, Monterey jack, and muenster. Camembert and brie also melt well but don't forget to remove the rind.

How do you keep cheese sauce creamy? ›

When making cheese sauces and cheese-based soups, be sure to add the cheese slowly over low heat, or your sauce could become grainy. Reheat cheese sauces and soups low and slow to maintain the smooth texture.

What cheese is Chick-fil-A cheese sauce? ›

Hidden in Chick-fil-A's popular condiment lineup is a creamy cheese dipping sauce. Sporting a gooey mixture of melted Swiss and parmesan, the condiment is available at select Chick-fil-A locations and makes a great pairing for the chain's famous waffle fries and nuggets, according to Southern Living.

What's the difference between cheese sauce and cheese dip? ›

Scanning the internet and the supermarket shelf, we realized that the cheese sauces are divided into two basic categories: Queso Dips, which include some amount of heat, spices, and other flavorings, and Cheese Dips, which are cheese and little else.

Does Chick-fil-A have the cheese sauce? ›

Cheese sauce, guacamole and jalapeños are available at a limited number of Chick-fil-A® restaurants in select markets. Each Operator may make the decision to offer these items on the menu, so please contact your local Chick-fil-A restaurant or check the Chick-fil-A® App for availability. Was this answer helpful?

What is fries sauce made of? ›

Fry sauce is a condiment often served with French fries or tostones (twice-fried plantain slices) in many places in the world. It is usually a combination of one part tomato ketchup and two parts mayonnaise.

What cheese melts when fried? ›

Cheeses that have a high melting point can be fried. While the cheese melts slightly, it will generally retain its shape in the fryer or skillet. Popular fried cheese options are cheese curds, queso blanco, halloumi, paneer, mozzarella, bread cheese, certain cheddars, and provolone.

What makes cheese sauce taste better? ›

You start by making your béchamel and then you take it off the heat to add in the cheese. I also like to add some Dijon mustard and cayenne to mine. A small amount of spice helps to balance all that delicious creaminess.

Why doesn't my cheese sauce taste cheesy? ›

Cream is heavy and mutes the flavor of cheese. Add a dash of garlic powder, dry mustard, and smoked paprika to the roux while it cooks. Honestly, this combo tastes cheesy even before you add the cheese.

What is the best thickener for cheese sauce? ›

For a cheese dip or sauce, the addition of cornstarch serves a similar function: Starch molecules absorb water and expand, not only thickening the liquid phase of the sauce, but also physically preventing the proteins from binding into long, tangled strands and the fats from separating out and pooling.

What is a smooth melting cheese? ›

If you follow the tips below, you can count on a smooth sauce when you use Asiago, Cheddar, colby, fontina, Gouda, Gruyère, Havarti, Monterey Jack, or Muenster. Blue cheeses and soft cheeses such as Brie and Camembert also melt well if you remove the rind.

What is a nice melting cheese? ›

Raclette, mozzarella, Gruyère, fontina, pepper Jack, Brie, Comte, tallegio would probably be my melty must-try list. angelface_kermit. • 1y ago. Jarlsberg melts beautifully.

What are the 3 melting categories of cheese? ›

Real cheeses when heated fall into three categories: flowing, stringy and impervious (or nearly so) to melting.

What cheese melts the best for mac and cheese? ›

Gruyere is a classic addition because it melts much like Cheddar, but has a lovely nutty flavor. Other classics include Gouda, Muenster, Parmesan, fontina, Havarti and Monterey Jack. Brie works well too, just make sure you remove the rind before mixing it in.

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