A traditional cheese sauce that has been used in a lot of English cooking, also known as the 'Mother Sauce'. This savory sauce is made by adding Cheddar cheese, flour and milk, and is great for Mac & Cheese, a cheese dip for nachos, and even soup. You can also ROCK OUT this recipe by adding Worcestershire sauce and stout beer among other ingredients.
1 cup whole milk
2 TBSN butter
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Medium sauce pan, cooking spoon, measuring cup, measuring spoons.
Prep: 10 min
Cook: 20 min on stovetop Ready: 30 min Serves: 4
To make creamy Cheddar Cheese Sauce:
1. Melt butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat.
2. Add flour and stir until smooth. Cook for one minute, stirring constantly.
3. Gradually pour in milk and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. Do not boil.
4. Add cheese a half cup at a time and stir until all the cheese has melted, and is smooth and creamy.
5. Remove from heat and serve immediately.
1 cup: 80 calories, 5 g fat (2g saturated fat), 6 mg cholesterol, 475 mg sodium, 8 mg carbohydrate (0 g sugars, 0 g fiber), 2 g protein.
Cheddar cheese contains a high concentration of protein and calcium.
Beverage pairing: For adults, a strong or pale ale. Kids would love a tall glass of milk.
Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon or a vintage port wine. Side Dish pairing: Use this sauce on macaroni, nacho chips, steamed broccoli, scrambled eggs, or top of chili. Be sure to check out the recipes below!
Vegans and vegetarians. Replace whole milk with either Almond, Coconut, or Hazelnut milk. Replace butter with 2 TBSN vegan butter. Replace Cheddar Cheese with 1 1/2 cups Cheddar-style nondairy cheese.
Kick out the GLUTS. Since there's gluten in flour, replace all-purpose flour with Tapioca flour, as it is a great thickening agent. Velveeta is gluten-free, you can also subsittue the cheddar cheese with a Cheddar Velveeta block. If you chose to add beer to the recipe, replace the stout and use your preferred gluten-free beer.
Nacho Cheese Sauce- Add half of a packet of taco seasoning after the cheese has melted. Pour onto tortilla chips.
Cheese and Bacon Sauce- Add a half cup of real bacon crumbles/bits after cheese has melted. Pour onto macaroni or potato wedges.
Beer & Cheese Sauce- Add a bottle of stout beer after adding milk. Add 2 cups of cheese instead of 1 1/2 cups. Add teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce. Pour onto macaroni, tortilla chips, or pretzel bites.