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    Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » 10 Minute Recipes

    Easy Cheddar Cheese Sauce

    Published: Aug 24, 2021 · Modified: Oct 18, 2021 by Dannii · This post may contain affiliate links · 9 Comments

    3 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Easy Cheese Sauce with a text title overlay.

    This creamy homemade cheddar cheese sauce is so easy and really versatile - it's something you should really know how to make. This recipe contains all our tips for making the perfectly silky smooth cheese sauce, which is a must if you are making your own mac and cheese.

    A saucepan containing a cheese sauce and a wooden spatula.

    We must make our own cheese sauce a couple of times a week, as we use it in so many of our meals, and a lot of our recipes too, so it was about time that we shared our recipe for our easy cheese sauce. A creamy white sauce made up of flour, butter and milk, with a sharp mature cheddar melted in to it.

    This really couldn't be easier, and you are going to want to pour it on everything. We have given you a few other ideas of things you can add to this sauce to make it even more delicious too.

    Jump to:
    • Why should you try it?
    • What you will need
    • Step by step
    • Variations
    • How to use cheese sauce
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Extra tips
    • More cheese recipes
    • Recipe
    • Feedback

    Why should you try it?

    • 4 ingredients - Just flour, butter, milk and cheese is all it takes to make this easy cheese sauce. We have also added an extra optional ingredient, but it can easily be left out.
    • Only takes 10 minutes - This only takes 10 minutes to cook, and although you do have to keep an eye on it and stir it regularly, it is super simple to make.
    • Adaptable - Use this as the base recipe, and then feel free to customise it with different flavours. We have given some suggestions below.
    • So many ways to use it - A good cheese sauce is an ingredient for so many recipes, like casseroles and mac and cheese, so you will never struggle for ways to use this.

    What you will need

    • Milk - We used whole milk because it gives a nice thick and creamy sauce, however you could use skimmed or semi-skimmed.
    • Flour - This is what helps to thicken the sauce. We used plain flour, but make sure it is sieved before adding to the pan, so you get a nice smooth sauce.
    • Butter - We used unsalted butter and then you can season it if you like. The butter is what helps make the sauce nice and silky.
    • Cheese - The star of the sauce. We used an extra mature cheddar, as it has a lovely strong flavour. You could use a mild cheddar if you prefer. We have given other options for different cheeses that you can use below.
    • Mustard - This is our extra optional ingredient. Not only does it add a little extra colour, but a lovely depth of flavour too, without it tasting too mustardy. We use Dijon, but you could use English mustard.
    All the ingredients needed for this recipe with text overlay labels.

    Step by step

    One: Put the milk in a saucepan with the flour and butter.

    A saucepan containing milk, flour and butter.

    Two: Over a medium heat, whisk until the butter has melted and the flour has mixed in.

    Melted butter and milk in a saucepan.

    Three: Once the sauce starts to thicken (2-3 minutes), remove from the heat and stir in the cheese and mustard.

    Grated cheese added to the pan.

    Four: Mix until the cheese has melted.

    Cheese sauce in a pan.

    Variations

    Use this easy cheddar cheese sauce as the base recipe, and then get creative with some add-ins. The easiest thing you can change is the actual cheese that is used. We used a mature cheddar, as it has such a strong flavour that you don't need to use as much. However you can use other cheese that melts well like Swiss, Gouda, Gruyère, Havarti, Colby and Monterey Jack. We wouldn't recommend using mozzarella, because it makes a really stringy sauce.

    If you want to add a smokey flavour to this sauce, then a little pinch of paprika is delicious. Other delicious ways to add flavour is a splash or beer (ale) or Worcestershire sauce. A little pinch of nutmeg really adds lots of flavour to the sauce too.

    If you like spicy sauces, why not add a splash of hot sauce like Sriracha to this sauce.

    How to use cheese sauce

    This sauce is so versatile, there is not much that we wouldn't pour it on. The best way to use this sauce is in our Chorizo Mac and Cheese, Cheesy Potato Bake or in our Broccoli Cheese, which is perfect with a roast dinner.

    Other ways you can use this sauce are:

    • Cauliflower cheese
    • Poured over a baked potato
    • Nacho sauce
    • Pasta sauce
    • Dip (we love dipping dough balls or bread sticks in to it or why not try dipping our Courgette Fritters in to it).
    A wooden spatula in a pan of cheese sauce.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How to store leftover cheddar cheese sauce.

    If you have leftovers of this, then once it is fully cooled you can store it in an air tight container in the fridge for up to two days.

    Can you freeze cheddar cheese sauce?

    Yes, this sauce freezes well. Once it is cooled, we pour it in to ice cube trays to freeze. Once the cubes are frozen, we pop them out and store them in a freezer bag. You can then just take out a cube or two as and when you need them and defrost in the fridge. This is perfect for making smaller portions like kids meals.

    How to reheat cheddar cheese sauce.

    This is the tricky part, especially if the sauce has been frozen and then defrosted. Put the sauce in a saucepan and then heat on very low, stirring constantly so the sauce doesn't split.

    Why is my sauce lumpy?

    There are a few things you can do to stop your sauce going lumpy. Make sure the milk is room temperature and that you have sieved the flour. You also need to heat everything on a low heat.

    Why is my sauce grainy?

    As well as avoiding a lumpy sauce, you want to avoid having a grainy sauce too. Firstly, make sure you grate your own cheddar, rather than using a package of ready grated cheese. Packets of cheese have a coating on it to stop it sticking together, and this will make a gritty sauce. Also, make sure you turn the heat off before adding the cheese.

    Extra tips

    • Make sure you sieve the flour before adding it to the pan, as this will help to get a nice smooth sauce.
    • If you are reheating this sauce, then you may need to add a little milk to thin it out.
    • Make sure you stir it constantly when reheating, otherwise you risk the sauce splitting.
    • Add a splash of hot sauce like Sriracha to give this sauce a kick.
    • You can use any cheese that melts well, but we don't recommend mozzarella, because it makes the sauce too stringy.

    More cheese recipes

    • Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
    • Broccoli Cheese
    • Easy Cauliflower Cheese
    • Healthy Mac and Cheese

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    If you’ve tried this Easy Cheese Sauce recipe, or any other recipe on the blog, then let us know how you got on in the comments below, we love hearing from you!
    Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - we love sharing photos when people make our recipes. You can use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

    DON’T FORGET TO RATE THE RECIPE ↓

    Recipe

    Easy Cheddar Cheese Sauce in a pan with a wooden spatula.

    Easy Cheddar Cheese Sauce

    This creamy homemade cheddar cheese sauce is so easy and really versatile. Read our tips for making the perfectly silky smooth cheese sauce.
    An illustration of a v-shaped plant.
    Vegetarian
    5 from 11 votes
    Author: Dannii
    Pin Print
    Course: Sauce/Spread
    Cuisine: British
    Prep Time: 2 minutes
    Cook Time: 8 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Allergen:
    An illustration of a carton of milk.
    Dairy
    An illustration of two ears of wheat.
    Gluten
    An illustration of a mustard bottle.
    Mustard
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 166kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    UK Metric Measures - US Customary Measures
    • 500 ml milk
    • 4 tablespoon flour
    • 50 g butter
    • 80 g cheddar
    • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

    Instructions

    • Put the milk in a saucepan with the flour and butter.
      500 ml milk, 4 tablespoon flour, 50 g butter
    • Over a medium heat, whisk until the butter has melted and the flour has mixed in.
    • Once the sauce starts to thicken (2-3 minutes), remove from the heat and stir in the cheese and mustard.
      80 g cheddar, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
    • Mix until the cheese has melted.

    Notes

    • Make sure you sieve the flour before adding it to the pan, as this will help to get a nice smooth sauce.
    • If you are reheating this sauce, then you may need to add a little milk to thin it out.
    • Make sure you stir it constantly when reheating, otherwise you risk the sauce splitting.
    • Add a splash of hot sauce like Sriracha to give this sauce a kick.
    • You can use any cheese that melts well, but we don't recommend mozzarella, because it makes the sauce too stringy.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1portion | Calories: 166kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 207mg | Potassium: 134mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 479IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 195mg | Iron: 1mg
    Have you tried this recipe?Mention @hungryhealthyhappy on Instagram and tag #hungryhealthyhappy!
    DisclaimerThe nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
    « Roasted Chickpeas
    Chorizo Mac and Cheese »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tara

      August 31, 2021 at 6:57 pm

      5 stars
      Such an easy and versatile sauce! I love that creamy texture. Definitely perfect for pairing with broccoli.

      Reply
    2. Tawnie Kroll

      August 31, 2021 at 5:25 pm

      5 stars
      We added a little Sriracha to ours and it turned out amazing!! Thanks for the great recipe!

      Reply
    3. Angela

      August 31, 2021 at 5:21 pm

      5 stars
      Love this cheese sauce! I use it to top veggies and as a chip dip. Easy to make and so much better than store bought!

      Reply
    4. Sara Welch

      August 31, 2021 at 5:20 pm

      5 stars
      Excited to give this a try with some veggies with dinner tonight! Looks too good to pass up, indeed!

      Reply
    5. Mindee Taylor

      August 31, 2021 at 3:32 pm

      5 stars
      Served this over steamed broccoli! So good!!!

      Reply
    6. Gina

      August 31, 2021 at 2:06 pm

      5 stars
      The touch of mustard in this sauce brings out the flavor so nicely. Love it on top of some roasted broccoli or cauliflower!

      Reply
    7. Natalie

      August 31, 2021 at 1:02 pm

      5 stars
      Oh I love the added mustard in this. Can't wait to give this a try. My son loves when I make him pasta with cheese sauce.

      Reply
    8. Elle

      August 31, 2021 at 12:39 pm

      5 stars
      Rich and delicious. I love the addition of mustard, as it works great with the cheese. Very easy to follow recipe... I'll use it to top many dishes!

      Reply
    9. Beth

      August 31, 2021 at 12:32 pm

      5 stars
      This was absolutely delicious and perfect for our mac and cheese the other night! Such an easy and quick cheese sauce to have on hand. Can't wait to make this again, so many recipes to use this for!

      Reply

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    Dannii in hat and glasses stood on a beach.

    Welcome! My name is Dannii. Here you will find easy family recipes with a healthy twist, along with travel, home and family life and general happiness.
    Established in 2011, Hungry Healthy Happy has become one of the UK's most popular food and lifestyle blogs, with two successful recipe books published.

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