Cheese Sauce for Cheese Fries and Nachos

VEGETARIAN

QUICK

STOVETOP

TOPPINGSNACK

CREAMY

Adapted from J. Kenji Lopez-Alt on July 27, 2024

Prep:

5 minutes

Cook:

10 minutes

Active:

15 minutes

Total:

30 minutes

Cover image for Cheese Sauce for Cheese Fries and Nachos recipe

Ingredients

Serves/makes 12

8 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese (or a mix of cheddar and pepper Jack; see notes), grated on large holes of a box grater

1 tablespoon cornstarch

One 12-ounce can evaporated milk, divided

2 teaspoons Franks Red Hot or other hot sauce

Instructions

1.
Add cheese and cornstarch to large bowl. Toss to combine. Transfer to medium saucepan.
2.
Add 1 cup evaporated milk and hot sauce. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly with whisk until melted, bubbly, and thickened, about 5 minutes. Mixture will look thin and grainy at first but will thicken and come together after heating. Thin to desired consistency with additional evaporated milk. Serve immediately with fries, tortilla chips, burgers, or hot dogs.

POULTRY

APPETIZERQUICK

STOVETOPGRILLING

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BEEF

QUICKAPPETIZER

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SPICY

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Misc.

Notes

This cheese sauce is gooey and tangy. For a spicier version, substitute half the cheddar cheese with pepper Jack and add 2-3 minced pickled jalapeños, or to taste.
To reheat the sauce, microwave it on high heat, stopping and stirring every 30 seconds, until it's fully melted.