Once you make this rich, creamy cheese sauce recipe, you’ll never buy it from the store again. This homemade version is fast and no-fuss, with just 5 simple ingredients and a few minutes of cooking. You get a buttery, cheesy dream for drizzling over veggies, stirring it into pasta, for nachos, or using it for dipping soft pretzels. This recipe never disappoints!

If you’ve ever reached for a jar of store-bought cheese sauce but wanted something fresher and more flavorful, this is the one to try. I wanted this recipe to be as simple as possible, and I’d say using 5 pantry staple ingredients and only 5 minutes of cooking time pretty much nails it. This homemade cheese sauce is smooth, melty, and totally customizable. It’s perfect for pouring over veggies or nachos, a dip for soft pretzels, or to make mac and cheese.

Helpful Tips

• Use freshly shredded cheese. Skip the bagged stuff if you can. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly. Grating your own from a block gives you a creamier, silkier sauce every time.
• Add the cheese over very low heat. Once your milk mixture is hot and thickened, turn down the heat to the lowest before stirring in the cheese. High heat can cause the cheese to seize, separate, or become gritty, so a gentle melt is key.
• Whisk constantly. Don’t walk away! Whisking as you add the milk and again when the cheese goes in helps everything stay smooth and emulsified. It keeps the sauce from forming lumps or sticking to the bottom of the pan.
• If the sauce breaks. This usually means the sauce got too hot or the cheese was added too quickly. If it breaks, remove it from the heat and whisk in a splash of warm milk or cream until it comes back together. I’ve also had success stirring in a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with water to help re-emulsify the sauce. Just be patient and whisk gently. It’s often salvageable.

How to Make Cheese Sauce Step by Step

Make the roux: Melt 2 tbsp of unsalted butter in a medium pot over medium heat. Once the butter starts to bubble, whisk in 2 tbsp of all-purpose flour and ¼ tsp of coarse salt.

Whisk until smooth: Stir constantly until a smooth paste forms and no streaks of flour remain.

Add the milk: Slowly pour in 1 cup of whole milk, a little at a time, whisking continuously and making sure the mixture stays smooth before adding more. Continue whisking until the milk is fully incorporated and the sauce has thickened, about 2 minutes.

Melt in the cheese: Reduce heat to the lowest setting add 1¾ cups of freshly shredded sharp Cheddar cheese. Whisk until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and thickened, about 1 to 2 minutes. Then remove from the heat.

Serve and enjoy: Serve immediately. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools. Drizzle over steamed broccoli, spoon onto nachos, use as a dip for pretzel bites, or mix into pasta for quick mac and cheese.

Recipe Variations

• Try adding a pinch of paprika, garlic powder, or mustard powder.
• Swap in Monterey Jack, Gruyère, or Fontina for a fun twist.
• Stir in a dash of hot sauce or diced jalapeños.

Serving Suggestions

This homemade cheese sauce is incredibly versatile and makes just about everything taste better. I love pouring it over steamed or roasted broccoli or cauliflower for an easy veggie upgrade. Spooning it over nachos or into breakfast burritos is a game-changer, and it’s also perfect as a dip for soft pretzels. Stir it into pasta for quick stovetop mac and cheese, or spoon it over baked potatoes and crispy fries for a cozy, comfort food vibe.

How to Store Leftovers

Store any leftover cheese sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, whisking constantly. Add a splash of milk if it’s too thick.

More Sauces for Dipping, Drizzling, or Pouring

• Tartar Sauce
• Homemade Alfredo Sauce
• Peanut Sauce
• Hollandaise Sauce
• Copycat Chick-fil-A Sauce

I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube!