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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.

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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

Find it online: https://cookcrisis.com/creamy-cheddar-garlic-hot-sauce-cheese-sauce-for-fries-recipe/