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ultimate nachos with homemade cheese sauce

(1 rating)
Blue Ribbon Recipe by
Fran Say
Sunnyvale, CA

November 6 is National Nacho Day! I am a big fan of mac and cheese and I adapted my recipe to make the sauce suitable for nachos. This is always a big hit, especially with football season in full swing. If you don't like your nacho cheese on the spicy side, consider reducing the cayenne pepper and/or using regular Monterey jack cheese instead of pepper jack.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

This homemade nacho cheese sauce recipe is going to become a staple in your house. The array of cheese used makes the sauce super creamy. We love the added flavor from the different chili spice blends. Pouring this cheese sauce over tortilla chips and adding your favorite toppings makes for some killer nachos.

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
(1 rating)
yield 8 serving(s)
prep time 5 Min
cook time 20 Min
method Stove Top

Ingredients For ultimate nachos with homemade cheese sauce

  • CHEESE SAUCE
  • 1/4 c
    butter
  • 3 Tbsp
    all-purpose flour
  • 3 c
    cold milk
  • 1/2 tsp
    smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp
    chipotle chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp
    ancho chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp
    cayenne pepper
  • 1 pinch
    salt, to taste
  • 1/2 lb
    sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/4 lb
    Pepper Jack cheese, shredded
  • 1/4 lb
    Muenster cheese, shredded
  • 1 can
    diced green chiles (4 oz)
  • NACHOS
  • 1 bag
    tortilla chips
  • guacamole, see my recipe
  • 1 sm
    white onion, diced
  • 1 bunch
    green onion, chopped
  • 1/4 bunch
    cilantro, chopped
  • salsa or pico de gallo
  • 1 jar
    sliced jalapenos, drained (12-16 oz)
  • 8 oz
    sour cream
  • guacamole

How To Make ultimate nachos with homemade cheese sauce

  • Flour and melted butter in a Dutch oven.
    1
    To make the cheese sauce, melt the butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Sprinkle the flour evenly over the melted butter. Whisk constantly until the mixture is thick and all the flour is incorporated, about 3-4 minutes.
  • Cold milk and seasonings added to Dutch oven.
    2
    You will want to do these next steps very, very gradually, or your sauce will be grainy. Pour the cold milk slowly into the butter mixture, whisking constantly until combined. Simmer over medium, stirring/whisking constantly, until slightly thickened, about 5-7 minutes. Add in the smoked paprika, ground chipotle, ancho chile powder, cayenne pepper, and salt; stirring well.
  • Stirring in shredded cheese.
    3
    Reduce the heat to low. Add the cheddar, Pepper Jack, and Muenster cheese a handful at a time as you whisk. Stir until thoroughly melted. Add in the green chiles. Season with more salt to taste as needed. Serve immediately or transfer to a slow cooker set on low.
  • A platter of Ultimate Nachos With Homemade Cheese Sauce.
    4
    To assemble the nachos, drizzle the cheese sauce over your favorite tortilla chips. Top with white and green onion, cilantro, salsa, jalapenos, sour cream, and my https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/sauce-spread/dip/best-quick-easy-guacamole.html.
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