November 6th is National Nachos Day, and what better way to celebrate than by sharing our go-to recipe for nacho cheese sauce?
You can use any cheese you like, as long as it melts well. Think semi-soft to semi-hard range, like Gouda and sharp cheddar, as opposed to soft cheeses (like chevre or feta) or hard cheeses (like Parmigiano Reggiano or super-aged cheddars).
You can even kick it up a notch by using one of our favorite spicy cheeses! Check some of them out below, and read on for the recipe…
Nacho Cheese Sauce
This recipe originally appeared in our 2025 commemorative recipe booklet.
When microwaving grated cheese over tortilla chips just isn’t going to cut it, we’ve got an easy, creamy, dippable solution for you.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup. whole milk
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 8 ounce block of extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Steps:
- Melt butter in medium skillet over Medium heat. Add flour, then whisk until combined into smooth paste that’s bubbling around the edges.
- Add milk and continue whisking. Once incorporated, raise heat to High and bring to a boil. Lower heat and reduce to simmer. Allow sauce to thicken slightly.
- Whisk in cayenne and salt. Add cheese and gently stir, allowing cheese to fully melt. Sauce is ready to serve once the mixture is smooth.