Introduction

This creamy cheese sauce is the perfect companion for crispy fries, adding a rich and flavorful touch to your snack or meal. Made with simple ingredients and a smooth texture, it’s easy to prepare and sure to impress.

Creamy Cheddar Garlic Hot Sauce Cheese Sauce for Fries Recipe - Recipe Image

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: Pour in ½ cup of milk and whisk constantly until the mixture thickens to a gravy-like consistency. Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, and ground mustard.
Step 3: Remove the pan from heat and gradually add the shredded cheese by the handful, stirring until smooth and melted.
Step 4: If needed, return the pan to low heat to fully melt the cheese, but avoid cooking too long to prevent graininess. Add milk one tablespoon at a time to adjust the thickness, remembering the sauce will thicken as it cools.
Step 5: Stir in the hot sauce and serve the sauce warm over fries or your favorite snacks.

Tips & Variations

Use a sharp cheddar for a bolder flavor or mix in some pepper jack for a spicy twist.
If the sauce becomes too thick after cooling, gently reheat and add a splash of milk to loosen it.
For a smoother finish, grate the cheese finely and remove any clumps before adding.

Storage

Store leftover cheese sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, stirring frequently and adding a little milk if needed to restore the creamy texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Yes, you can substitute cheddar with other melting cheeses like Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or a cheese blend. Keep in mind the flavor and texture will vary accordingly.

How can I prevent the sauce from becoming grainy?

Cook the cheese sauce over low heat once the cheese is added and avoid overheating. Adding cheese gradually and stirring constantly helps create a smooth texture.

Creamy Cheddar Garlic Hot Sauce Cheese Sauce for Fries Recipe

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4.6 from 141 reviews

This rich and creamy cheese sauce is the perfect accompaniment for fries, featuring a smooth blend of sharp cheddar cheese, aromatic spices, and a hint of heat from hot sauce. Made with a simple roux base and whole milk, this sauce can be prepared quickly on the stovetop and serves as a delicious dip or topping that enhances any snack or meal.

Author: Marco
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: Approximately ¾ cup (serves 2–3 people as a dip) 1x
Category: Sauce
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

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 Butter and Make Roux: Add the butter to a small saucepan over medium heat and melt. Whisk in the flour immediately to form a paste (roux), cooking for 1 to 2 minutes while stirring frequently to prevent burning and to eliminate the raw flour taste.
Add Milk and Thicken: Slowly pour in ½ cup of whole milk while whisking constantly to incorporate it smoothly. Continue whisking as the mixture thickens to a gravy-like consistency. Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, and ground mustard to infuse the sauce with flavor.
Incorporate Cheese: Remove the saucepan from heat and gradually add the shredded cheddar cheese a handful at a time, stirring continuously after each addition until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
Adjust Consistency: If the cheese hasn’t fully melted, return the pan to very low heat briefly, stirring constantly to avoid graininess. Add extra milk 1 tablespoon at a time to achieve your preferred sauce thickness, remembering it will thicken more as it cools.
Finish with Hot Sauce: Stir in the hot sauce to add a subtle kick and serve the cheese sauce warm alongside fries or your favorite dishes.

Notes

Use freshly shredded cheese for the smoothest melt; pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect texture.
Be careful not to overheat the cheese sauce once the cheese is added to prevent it from becoming grainy.
Adjust the amount of hot sauce according to your preferred spice level.
This sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
For a different flavor profile, try adding smoked paprika or cayenne pepper instead of hot sauce.

Keywords: cheese sauce, cheddar cheese sauce, sauce for fries, cheese dip, creamy cheese sauce