White Cheese Sauce
This white cheese sauce is creamy and smooth with a distinct cheddar flavor. Perfect for serving with steamed vegetables or as a cheese dip!
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 272kcal
Ingredients
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup butter unsalted butter recommended
- 2 cups milk hot milk recommended
- 2 cups strong cheddar cheese grated (100 grams/4 oz)
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika or other seasonings (optional) - see note
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients and set aside. Heat the milk using the microwave or stovetop until hot but not boiling and set aside.
- Place a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the butter and let it melt completely. Immediately add the flour and whisk rapidly to form a bubbly paste, less than 1 minute.
- Add the milk 1/3 cup at a time, whisking continuously until the sauce starts thickening before adding the next batch. (If this takes longer than a minute or two, raise the heat slightly.) Scrape the bottom and sides of the saucepan with the whisk to prevent sticking.
- Once all of the milk has been added, set the whisk aside and switch to a wooden spoon. Stir until the sauce starts bubble or becomes thick enough to coat the back of the spoon.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the cheese and optional seasonings until the sauce is creamy and smooth. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Cheese: While strong cheddar is the classic choice here, alternatives include mild cheddar, Swiss (Gruyère), Asiago, Monterey Jack, Havarti, Parmesan, Fontina or a blend. Grating your own will produce the best flavor and ensure smooth melting.
- Milk: Hot milk dissolves faster with fewer lumps. While you can still use cold milk, heating it first produces better results in less time.
- Seasonings (optional): Choices include paprika, cayenne, mustard powder.
Nutrition
Serving: 4tablespoons | Calories: 272kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 270mg | Potassium: 155mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 768IU | Calcium: 372mg | Iron: 1mg | Net Carbs: 7g