Description
Copycat Taco Bell nacho cheese sauce brings zesty Mexican-inspired flavor right to your kitchen. Creamy, spicy, and perfectly dippable, this homemade sauce will elevate snack time and make you the hero of movie nights.
Ingredients
Scale
main ingredients:
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup monterey jack cheese, shredded
- 2 tbsp butter
dairy base:
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
seasoning and thickeners:
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp chili powder
- 1/8 tsp garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp paprika
- 1/8 tsp ground cumin
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, ensuring it doesn’t brown or burn.
- Sprinkle flour into the melted butter, whisking continuously to create a smooth roux that will help thicken the sauce.
- Gradually pour in whole milk and heavy cream, stirring constantly to prevent lumps and create a uniform base.
- Add all dry seasonings – salt, chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, and black pepper – stirring to distribute evenly throughout the liquid mixture.
- Continue cooking and stirring for 2-3 minutes until the sauce begins to slightly thicken and becomes slightly bubbling.
- Reduce heat to low and incorporate shredded cheddar and monterey jack cheeses, stirring until completely melted and integrated into a smooth, creamy consistency.
- If sauce appears too thick, thin with a small amount of additional milk; if too thin, continue cooking and stirring until desired nacho cheese sauce consistency is achieved.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately while warm and at peak creaminess, perfect for drizzling over nachos or as a dipping sauce.
- For best texture, consume within 15-20 minutes of preparation, as the sauce may start to separate if left standing too long.
Notes
- Master the roux by whisking butter and flour together smoothly, preventing any lumpy textures that could ruin the sauce’s silky consistency.
- Control heat carefully to prevent burning or scorching, which can introduce bitter flavors and compromise the delicate cheese sauce.
- Shred cheese fresh for maximum melting potential, avoiding pre-packaged shredded cheese that contains anti-caking agents blocking smooth integration.
- Experiment with cheese varieties like pepper jack or smoked cheddar to create unique flavor profiles while maintaining the classic Taco Bell-style essence.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 70mg