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    Home » Recipes » Appetizer » Dip » Nacho Cheese

    Nacho Cheese

    Published: Jan 11, 2023 · Modified: Apr 25, 2023 by Tonia Larson

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    ↓ JUMP TO RECIPE ↓ JUMP TO VIDEO

    This mouth-watering Nacho Cheese recipe is the ultimate appetizer! Serve this nacho cheese sauce with tortilla chips, veggies, or nacho fries.

    Cheesy dips are one of our favorite appetizers, along with mozzarella sticks, spinach artichoke dip, and pretzel bites.

    wood bowl holding nacho cheese surrounded by tortilla chips.

    Our family loves Taco Bell nacho fries and nacho cheese sauce. So we took our homemade cheese sauce recipe and turned it into a spicy version that we can’t stop making!

    Here’s What You Need To Know About Making Nacho Cheese

    • Nacho Cheese Sauce Ingredients
    • How To Make This Nacho Cheese Recipe
    • Variations
    • Storage and Reheating
      • How to Store Nacho Cheese
      • How To Reheat Nacho Cheese
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Want more appetizer recipes? Try these next:
    ingredients in bowls on a marble countertop.

    Nacho Cheese Sauce Ingredients

    Although there are a lot of ingredients in this recipe, they are mostly spices that give this dip so much flavor. These ingredients are readily available, and you can add more or less spices as you see fit.

    • Peppers: We pureed the canned diced green chilies and canned diced jalapenos to make the dip smooth. You can skip this step for a chunkier dip.
    • Roux: We made a simple roux using butter and all-purpose flour. The roux thickens the sauce.
    • Milk: This recipe uses whole milk to thin the roux.
    • Cheese: You’ll need both processed American cheese and shredded cheddar cheese in this recipe. The American cheese gives it a classic cheese sauce flavor and texture, and the shredded cheddar cheese brings additional flavor.
    • Spices: We seasoned the cheese sauce with garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, chili powder, paprika, salt, and cayenne pepper.
    • Garnish: Chopped cilantro looks great as a garnish, but it is optional.
    nacho cheese in a small wooden bowl with cilantro on top.

    How To Make This Nacho Cheese Recipe

    This nacho cheese recipe can be made in three steps: make the base, add the spices, and melt the cheese.

    • Base: Make the sauce base by preparing the roux and stirring in the milk.
    • Spices: Add the spices to the cheese sauce base and bring to a simmer. Then, add the pureed peppers.
    • Cheese: Melt the American cheese into the base while the saucepan is on the burner, and stir in the shredded cheddar once you’ve removed the pan from the heat.

    Variations

    • Cheese: You can use other kinds of cheese in this recipe to make different flavors of cheese sauce. For example, Velveeta or white American cheese can be used in place of American cheese. And instead of shredded cheddar cheese, you can use shredded pepper jack, Monterey jack, or gouda.
    • Spices: You can substitute the garlic powder and onion powder with minced garlic and diced onions. To make the dip spicier, increase the seasonings and add crushed red peppers.
    • Chunky Dip: Don’t puree the green chilis and diced jalapenos. Plus, add diced tomatoes or Rotel and diced onions.
    • Protein: Stir in cooked taco meat, spicy sausage, or chorizo. You could also add black beans or canned chili with no beans.

    Storage and Reheating

    How to Store Nacho Cheese

    Allow the sauce to cool completely. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freezer for up to four months. Thaw frozen cheese dip in the refrigerator.

    How To Reheat Nacho Cheese

    Reheat the nacho cheese sauce on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often, until heated through. It can also be reheated on low in the microwave, stirring occasionally. Add more milk, a little at a time, if needed.

    a white tray full of tortilla chips surrounding a bowl of nacho cheese sauce.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Does nacho cheese actually have cheese?

    Yes, this nacho cheese contains both American cheese and cheddar cheese.

    What is nacho cheese sauce made of?

    It is made with butter, flour, milk, cheese, peppers, and spices.

    What makes nacho cheese sauce liquid?

    Milk thins the sauce but keeping it warm makes nacho cheese remain liquid. It will thicken as it cools.

    a tortilla dipped in nacho cheese.

    Want more appetizer recipes? Try these next:

    • Homemade Pico de Gallo only takes a few minutes to make! It can be served as an appetizer or snack with tortilla chips.
    • This loaded Nachos recipe is a great way to feed a crowd! Make them on several mini trays with various toppings or on a large sheet pan.
    • Pineapple Salsa is the perfect combination of sweet and spicy. Enjoy it on grilled chicken or fish or as an appetizer with chips.
    • Jalapeno Poppers are a favorite party appetizer that is universally loved! They are crispy on the outside, with melted cheese on the inside.
    a tortilla dipped in nacho cheese.

    Nacho Cheese

    This mouth-watering Nacho Cheese recipe is the ultimate appetizer! Serve this nacho cheese sauce with tortilla chips, veggies, or nacho fries.
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    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 10 people
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    Equipment

    Food Chopper
    Small Whisk
    Sauce Pan
    Wood Bowls

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoon canned diced green chilies pureed
    • 1 tablespoon canned diced jalapenos pureed
    • 2 tablespoon butter
    • 2 tablespoon flour
    • 1 ½ cups whole milk
    • 8 oz processed American cheese 12 slices
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon chili powder
    • ½ teaspoon paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
    • 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro optional

    Instructions

    • Puree green chilies and jalapenos. Set aside.
      green chilies pureed in mini chopper.
    • Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour and cook while stirring for 2 minutes.
      whisking a roux in a sauce pan.
    • Slowly whisk in the milk a little at a time. Whisk until smooth before adding more.
      whisking milk into the roux in a saucepan.
    • Whisk in the garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, chili powder, paprika, salt, and cayenne pepper. Bring to a simmer.
      whisking spices into cheese sauce in a saucepan.
    • Stir in the processed American cheese, diced green chilies, and diced jalapenos puree. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring often until the cheese is melted into the sauce, and bring to a simmer.
      American cheese and green chilies added to sauce pan.
    • Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese. Add a little more milk and additional salt at this point, if needed.
      stir shredded cheddar cheese into sauce.
    • Garnish with cilantro, if desired. Serve warm while warm.
      scooping nacho cheese, from a wooden bowl, with a tortilla chip.

    Video

    Notes

    Note 1: Storage

    Store cooled nacho cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freezer for up to four months. Thaw frozen cheese dip in the refrigerator.

    Note 2: Reheat

    Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often, until heated through. It can also be reheated on low in the microwave, stirring occasionally. Add more milk, a little at a time, if needed.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1/4 cup | Calories: 182kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 554mg | Potassium: 112mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 596IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 365mg | Iron: 0.3mg
    Course: Sauces and Condiments
    Cuisine: American
    Author: Tonia Larson

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    About Tonia Larson

    Hi! I’m Tonia, the owner and recipe creator at The Gunny Sack, where I’ve shared easy recipes for busy people for 12+ years! My family-friendly meals, easy side dishes, and delicious desserts include mouthwatering photos, dynamic videos, and step-by-step instructions to help you cook at home.

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    Tonia Larson and Brian LarsonHi, We are Brian and Tonia Larson! We hope you enjoy our family-friendly meals, easy side dishes, and tasty desserts!
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