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Cheese Sauce for Fries Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 67 reviews

A creamy and flavorful cheddar cheese sauce perfect for drizzling over fries or using as a dip, made with a smooth roux base and enhanced with garlic, onion, and a hint of spice from hot sauce. This quick stovetop recipe creates a rich, velvety sauce that complements crispy fries perfectly.

Ingredients

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Cheese Sauce Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • ½ cup whole milk (plus 2–3 tablespoons as needed)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground mustard
  • 4 ounces medium cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce (such as Frank’s)

Instructions

  1. Make the Roux: Add the butter to a small saucepan over medium heat and melt it completely. Whisk in the flour to form a smooth paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning and to slightly cook out the raw flour taste.
  2. Add Milk and Seasonings: Gradually whisk in ½ cup of whole milk, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens to the consistency of a gravy. Then whisk in the garlic powder, onion powder, and ground mustard to infuse the sauce with savory flavors.
  3. Melt the Cheese: Remove the saucepan from heat, and add the shredded cheddar cheese a handful at a time, stirring well after each addition until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
  4. Adjust Consistency: If needed, place the pan back on very low heat briefly to finish melting the cheese without overheating, which can make the sauce grainy. Add extra milk one tablespoon at a time to reach your preferred thickness, remembering the sauce will thicken as it cools.
  5. Finish with Hot Sauce: Stir in the hot sauce to add a mild spicy kick, then serve the cheese sauce warm over fries or as a dip.

Notes

  • Use freshly shredded cheese for the smoothest melt; pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect the sauce texture.
  • Do not overheat the cheese sauce once cheese is added to prevent graininess.
  • Adjust the thickness with additional milk according to your preference.
  • This sauce pairs beautifully with crispy fries, steamed vegetables, or baked potatoes.
  • Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge and gently reheat with a splash of milk to restore consistency.

Keywords: cheese sauce, cheddar sauce, sauce for fries, cheese dip, homemade cheese sauce, easy cheese sauce

Find it online: https://platedandproud.com/cheese-sauce-for-fries-recipe/