Snappy Cheddar Sauce (Printable view)
A rich, smooth cheddar sauce with Dijon mustard and a kick of cayenne—ready in 15 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dairy
01 - 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
02 - 1 cup whole milk
03 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
→ Pantry
04 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
05 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
06 - 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
07 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
09 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
# Steps:
01 - Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk constantly for 1 minute to form a roux, taking care not to let it brown.
02 - Gradually whisk in milk, stirring frequently until mixture thickens and reaches a simmer, approximately 2-3 minutes.
03 - Reduce heat to low. Incorporate Dijon mustard, hot sauce, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Stir until well combined.
04 - Add grated cheddar cheese gradually, whisking after each addition until smooth and fully melted before adding more.
05 - Once all cheese is incorporated and sauce is smooth, taste and adjust seasoning as desired. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- This sauce comes together in about 15 minutes but tastes like it simmered for hours
- The spice level is totally customizable—mild for kids, fiery for spice seekers
02 -
- Cheese sauce can separate if overheated—keep it at low heat once the dairy is added
- If the sauce seems too thick, add warm milk one tablespoon at a time until it reaches your desired consistency
03 -
- Grate your cheese while it's cold from the fridge for easier handling and better melting
- Room temperature milk incorporates more smoothly into the roux than cold milk