Cheese is the way to my heart. And then add a tiny kick of spice and melt it? I’m head over heels. ThisNacho Cheese Sauceis everything you could want in a cheesy condiment, and it’s a breeze to make.

green broccoli florets on a white plate with cheese sauce on top sitting on black and white towel on a blue background.

Dress it up on a pile ofsauteed broccolior dress it down over a plate of chips orsweet potato fries—either way, this Nacho Cheese Sauce recipe will surely be themelty, gooey drizzle of your dreams. I guarantee it.

As a kid, sometimes the only way my parents could get us to eat veggies was if they melted some Velveeta and covered our cauliflower or baby broccoli with it. I’m not saying bribing your kids is the way to go, but sometimes we’ve got to compromise with the little ones, right?

Give it a try next time you’re makingTex-Mex burrito bowls, add it to cooked rice for a cheesy rice dish, or go theskillet-pasta-veggieroute.You can’t go wrong, and that’s what makes it so right.

green broccoli florets on a fork with cheese sauce on top on a blue background with blurry edge of plate with broccoli in the background.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This cheese sauce is aslightly more elevated version of the classichomemade cheese sauce.
It’s got asmall bite of spicefrom chili powder, paprika, and optional hot sauce.
And itgoes well on nearly everything. Scratch that. It’s great on everything!
Plus it’s so quick, a true15-minute recipe.

Recipe Ingredients

Butter –True butter, please!
Cornstarch –To create athick and smoothsauce
Milk –Low-fat is okay
Cheese –Cream cheese andsharpcheddar cheese
Seasonings –Paprika, chili powder, and hot sauce to add spice

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce

Make a roux:Melt butter in a pan, whisk in cornstarch, and cook for 30 seconds while stirring. Whisk in the milk and continue whisking until well combined.
Add cheeses:First, the cream cheese and then the cheddar, stirring after each until melted.
Spice it up:Take off the heat and stir in seasonings foryour level of spiciness.

Recipe FAQs

What is Nacho Cheese Sauce made of?

Nacho cheese is kind of like dog breeds—all types are unique but wonderful. My version has a little spice to it, but you can amp it up or down, depending on your palate. This recipe includes butter, cornstarch, milk, cream cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, paprika, chili powder, and optional hot sauce.

Can Nacho Cheese Sauce be frozen?

Totally! Since this is technically a liquid, it freezes well. I’d recommend portioning it out into the amount you’d like to have for one meal rather than freezing a massive tub of it so you won’t have to thaw the whole batch out and attempt to refreeze any leftovers.

What do you do if the cheese sauce is too thick or thin?

The portions in this recipe really should yield a nice, thick-but-not-too-thick consistency. But if you have problems with it being too thick, whisk in a tablespoon or two more milk until it has a good texture. For sauce that seems too thin, add a bit more cornstarch and whisk until smooth.

orange colored cheese sauce in metal pan with metal whisk on top of black and white towel on blue background.

Expert Tips

You will want toget cheese blocks and grate them yourselfto get the smoothest texture for this cheese sauce. Pre-shredded cheeses have additives that cause sauces to be clumpy.
If the sauce istoo thick, whisk in a tablespoon or two more milkuntil it has a good texture. If it istoo thin, add a bit more cornstarchand whisk until smooth.
My versionhas a little spice, but you can amp it up or down, depending on your palate. Add more or less hot sauce, or omit completely!