Four ingredients are all you need for this versatile, family-friendly sauce. Best melting cheeses, helpful tips, and recipe suggestions included.
Four simple ingredients are all you need for a versatile, velvety, easy cheese sauce that has the power to transform plain pasta, baked potatoes, steamed broccoli, roast beef sandwiches, and more. For added flexibility, this quick-cooking sauce can be modified with a simple cheese swap, and I’ve included a thorough list of the best melting varieties — and the ones to avoid — below.
As written, the following recipe calls for cheddar or Cooper sharp, which are family-friendly, economical options that complement a wide range of ingredients — and which happen to be favorites in our house! That said, there’s lots of room to fancy it up; it’s just important to choose the right cheese.
Because of varying moisture content, not all cheese melts equally. For the smoothest, silkiest sauces, block cheese is usually recommended. (As a bonus, block cheese tends to be cheaper than pre-shredded.) That said, I’ve taken many a shortcut using pre-shredded cheese, and it can work quite well. In this case, know that some brands work better than others, and the fewer additives on the label the better.
So which cheeses melt the best? American (including Cooper Sharp), Cheddar, Swiss, colby, fontina, Gouda, Gruyère, Havarti, Monterey Jack, and Muenster are good melters. Blue and other soft cheeses such as Brie and Camembert melt well, too — just be sure to remove the rind first.
Beyond cheese choice, what will ensure a smooth, flavorful sauce?
- For the smoothest sauce, hand grate from a block of good quality cheese
- You may freeze the block of cheese for a few minutes to make grating easier, but make sure the cheese is at room temperature before making the sauce
- As an option to grating, the cheese may be finely chopped
- Cook the flour in the butter for one minute to eliminate any “floury” flavor
- For a gluten-free option, cornstarch works beautifully in place of flour — just use 1/3 as much, as noted in the recipe
- Thicken the sauce before adding the cheese, and only heat until the cheese is melted — overheating can cause the cheese to harden and release fat, creating a lumpy sauce
Which cheeses don’t melt well? Feta, cotija, queso fresco ricotta, halloumi, and creamy goat won’t melt into a smooth sauce. Mozzarella, provolone, and cheddar curds will melt but tend to be stringy.
So now that we have all the tools in place to make a deliciously smooth sauce, what are a few more ways to enjoy it?
- Stuffed baked potatoes — add chili, broccoli, bacon, chicken, ham, diced tomatoes and/or black beans, as desired
- Simple sauce for pasta — stir in veggies and protein of choice for a complete meal
- Dip for tortilla chips and sauce for nachos
- Topping for cheesesteaks and open-faced roast beef sandwiches
- Sauce for quick stovetop mac and cheese
- Sauce for steamed broccoli, roasted cauliflower or your favorite sautéed veggies
My kids are major fans, especially my younger son who’s a bit choosy about cheese sauce. It’s best served right away, although leftovers are still quite good when gently reheated.
Easy Cheese Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and several turns of the pepper mill
- 1 cup milk (works best with 2% milk but I have used nonfat with good results)
- 1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) freshly shredded cheddar cheese (Cooper sharp is a delightful option that's especially delicious on cheesesteaks)
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. (Watch carefully. Once melted, the butter will brown quickly. Lower the heat to medium-low if starting to brown or if making a half batch.)
- Add the flour or cornstarch and whisk or stir for about 1 minute over medium heat—the mixture should be simmering. Slowly whisk in the milk, and then add the salt and pepper.
- Cook, stirring regularly, until slightly thickened, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the cheese, and stir until melted and smooth. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For the smoothest sauce, choose a medium cheddar over an extra sharp variety.
- Upon cooling, the cheese sauce will thicken and develop a skin on top. Simply reheat over low heat, stirring regularly, to bring it back to saucy perfection.
- For a hint of kick, add 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper along with the salt and pepper.
- If you decide that you’d like a thinner sauce after adding the cheese, stir in an extra tablespoon or two of milk.
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