5 MINUTES TO CHEESE SAUCE HEAVEN
This is our absolute favorite cheese sauce. It’s flavorful, versatile, creamy smooth, and best of all, SO SIMPLE to make, tasting so much better than grocery-story varieties. You probably have these ingredients in the fridge right now. Using only four ingredients: heavy whipping cream or heavy cream, butter, cream cheese and cheddar cheese, you’ll turn broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, in fact just about any vegetable, into a phenomenal-tasting side dish that your entire family will gobble up. And you’ll do it all in 5 minutes, using keto-friendly ingredients. Just check out the low carb count!
NO FLOUR NEEDED
One of the first things my mama taught me in the kitchen was how to make a roux. The basic recipe: Melt butter in a saucepan, whisk in flour, wait till it bubbles, and never stop stirring! I didn’t know the fancy French name for what I was doing – making a thickener for sauces, soups, and gravy – until I was an adult.
This amazing cheese sauce eliminates the flour, using heavy cream and cream cheese for the thickening agents. You like where this is going, right?
INGREDIENTS
Heavy Whipping Cream, or Heavy Cream
Water – To Regulate Thickness
Butter
Cream Cheese
Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Salt and Pepper
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HOW TO MAKE THIS HOMEMADE CHEESE SAUCE
Cook and Whisk: Heavy whipping cream, water, and butter over medium heat until heated.
Add and Whisk: Add cream cheese. Whisk until simmering. Remove from heat.
Add: Remaining cheese and whisk until smooth.
Stir in: Salt, pepper and preferred seasonings.
WHAT TYPE OF CHEESES DO I NEED FOR THIS RECIPE?
One of the benefits of this cheese sauce recipe is that you can use whatever cheeses you have on hand. Replace the cream cheese with a soft goat cheese, or try our favorite flavor profile, replacing one-half of the cream cheese with mild goat cheese.
Remember: Cheeses added after the cream cheese or mild soft goat cheese must be added after the pan is removed from heat.
If you want to shake things up a bit, use Asiago, Gruyere, gorgonzola or gouda in place of the cheddar.
WHAT ARE OTHER USES FOR THIS RECIPE?
To make nacho cheese sauce, in place of cheddar cheese, try Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Chipotle Jack, or Jalapeño Pepper and add in 1/2 cup of your favorite salsa to make a spicy dipping sauce.
To add heat to the original cheese sauce, add a shake or two of red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, garlic or onion powder, paprika, or any seasoning that suits your taste buds.
Pour over cooked elbow macaroni for a quick kids meal.
TIPS FOR THIS EASY CHEESE SAUCE RECIPE
If you want to thin out the sauce a bit, simply add a little water. If you need it a little thicker, add more cheese.
HOW TO STORE AND REHEAT
Store any leftover sauce in airtight container in fridge for several weeks.
Reheat in microwave at 1-minute intervals, stirring between intervals.
Easy Homemade Cheese Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tbsp butter
- 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature or 2 oz cream cheese plus 2 oz mild soft goat cheese
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In small saucepan add the heavy whipping cream, water, and butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture is heated throughout. A whisk works well.
- Add cream cheese or combo of ½ cream cheese and ½ goat cheese. Whisk until melted and mixture comes to a good simmer. Remove from heat.
- Add cheddar cheese (or your favorites) and whisk until smooth. Add salt, pepper or seasonings to taste.
Delicious !
Thank you for sharing.
Joanie….
I mean…OMG…..I can’t say enough about this cheese sauce. WOW. It is absolutely delicious. I would use this recipe if I wasn’t even on KETO. Smash hit! Can’t thank you enough for this fabulous recipe!!!
I am gradually trying all of your recipes….love them all. But THIS? Holy Heck. I would put this on anything at all….I actually just spooned some out and practically drank it all! Just delicious.
Hi, Maureen. You have me laughing out loud! I KNOW. It’s additive. I’d put it on shoe leather and munch away. Thank you so much for letting me know you loved the cheese sauce. You made my day. Stay well, and thanks again for the kind (and hilarious) comments.