Cheese Sauce for Fries Recipe
Introduction
This creamy cheese sauce is the perfect companion for crispy fries, elevating them into a rich, flavorful treat. With simple ingredients and an easy method, you can whip up this velvety sauce in just minutes.
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
- Step 1: Add the butter to a small saucepan over medium heat and melt. Whisk in the flour to form a paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring often to avoid burning.
- Step 2: Add ½ cup of milk to the flour mixture and whisk constantly until the mixture thickens to the consistency of gravy. Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, and ground mustard.
- Step 3: Remove the pan from the heat. Gradually add the shredded cheddar cheese, a handful at a time, stirring after each addition until smooth and melted.
- Step 4: If needed, return the pan to low heat to fully melt the cheese, but avoid overheating to prevent graininess. Add extra milk, one tablespoon at a time, to reach your desired sauce thickness—the sauce will thicken further as it cools.
- Step 5: Stir in the hot sauce and serve the cheese sauce warm over fries or your favorite snacks.
Tips & Variations
- Use freshly shredded cheese for smoother melting and better texture.
- For a milder sauce, reduce or omit the hot sauce and add a pinch of smoked paprika instead.
- Swap cheddar for a blend of cheeses like Monterey Jack or Gouda for a different flavor profile.
- If the sauce becomes too thick after cooling, gently reheat with a splash of milk to loosen it up.
Storage
Store any leftover cheese sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently over low heat, stirring frequently, and add a little milk if necessary to restore its creamy consistency.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use low-fat milk instead of whole milk?
Yes, you can substitute low-fat milk, but the sauce may be slightly less rich and creamy.
What can I do if the sauce is grainy?
Graininess often happens if the sauce is overheated. To prevent this, melt the cheese gently over low heat and avoid prolonged cooking once the cheese is added. If it does get grainy, stirring in some extra milk while reheating can help smooth it out.
PrintCheese Sauce for Fries Recipe
This creamy and flavorful cheese sauce is perfect for drizzling over fries or as a dip. Made with a simple roux of butter and flour, infused with garlic, onion, and mustard powders, and enriched with sharp cheddar cheese and a touch of hot sauce, this sauce comes together quickly on the stovetop for a smooth, velvety finish.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: About ¾ cup cheese sauce, enough for 4 servings of fries 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
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
- Melt the Butter and Make 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 avoid burning and to cook out the raw flour taste.
- Add Milk and Thicken: Gradually whisk in ½ cup of whole milk, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens to a gravy-like consistency. Then whisk in the garlic powder, onion powder, and ground mustard until fully combined.
- Incorporate Cheese: Remove the saucepan from heat and add the shredded cheddar cheese handful by handful, stirring with each addition until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Adjust Consistency: If the cheese hasn’t completely melted or the sauce is too thick, return the saucepan to low heat briefly, stirring continuously. Add extra milk one tablespoon at a time until the sauce reaches your desired pouring consistency, remembering it will thicken more as it cools.
- Finish with Hot Sauce: Stir in the teaspoon of hot sauce to add a slight kick, then serve the cheese sauce warm over fries or as a dipping sauce.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded cheese for optimal melting and smooth texture; pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can cause graininess.
- Do not overheat the cheese sauce once cheese is added to prevent separation and a grainy texture.
- This sauce can be kept warm in a double boiler or warm spot, but stir occasionally to maintain smoothness.
- Adjust the hot sauce amount to suit your preferred spice level or omit for a milder sauce.
- If the sauce becomes too thick upon standing, reheat gently and stir in a little milk to loosen it.
Keywords: cheese sauce, cheddar cheese sauce, cheese sauce for fries, homemade cheese sauce, stovetop cheese sauce
