Ultimate Nachos with Homemade Cheese Sauce

By Fran Say
@ChefMom22

November 6 is National Nacho Day! I am a big fan of mac and cheese, and I adapted my recipe to make it into a nacho sauce. 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.

Rating:

★★★★★ 1 vote

Comments:

8 Comments

Serves:

15-20

Prep:

15 Min

Cook:

30 Min

Method:

Stove Top

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Notes from the Test Kitchen:
This nacho cheese sauce recipe is going to become a staple in your house. The array of cheeses and spices blend really well together. This would make a great crock pot dip too. Super yummy!

Ingredients

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: cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp: ancho chili powder
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(s): diced green chiles, 4 oz.
1 bag(s): tortilla chips
: guacamole, see my recipe
8 oz: sour cream
1 small: diced white onion
1 bunch: chopped green onion
1/4 bunch: chopped cilantro
: salsa or pico de gallo
1 jar(s): sliced jalapenos, drained

How to Make Ultimate Nachos with Homemade Cheese Sauce

Step-by-Step

1Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Evenly sprinkle 3 tablespoons of flour over the melted butter. Whisk constantly until the mixture is thick and all the flour is incorporated, 3-4 minutes.
2You will want to do these next steps very, very gradually, or your sauce will be grainy. Slowly pour cold milk into the butter mixture, whisking constantly until combined. Simmer on medium, stirring/whisking constantly, until slightly thickened, about 5-7 minutes. Add in smoked paprika, ground chipotle, ancho chile powder, cayenne pepper, and a pinch of salt, stirring well.
3Reduce heat to low and add cheddar cheese, Monterey pepper jack cheese, and Muenster cheese, adding a handful at a time as you whisk; stir until thoroughly melted. Add in diced green chiles. Season with more salt to taste as needed. Serve immediately, or keep on a slow cooker set on low.
4When ready to serve, drizzle over your favorite tortilla chips, with chopped white onion, chopped cilantro, salsa, sliced jalapenos, sour cream, and my Best Quick & Easy Guacamole.