Cheese Sauce for Fries (Printable)

A rich, creamy cheese sauce made with sharp cheddar and mozzarella, seasoned with garlic and spices for the ultimate fries topping.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dairy

01 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
02 - 1 cup whole milk
03 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
04 - 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

→ Pantry

05 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
08 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
10 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

# Directions:

01 - Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
02 - Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to form a roux.
03 - Slowly pour in the milk, whisking until smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
04 - Reduce heat to low. Add the cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, stirring until completely melted and smooth.
05 - Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, pepper, and salt.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve warm over fries or as a dip.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Comes together in just 15 minutes with pantry staples
  • The sharp cheddar creates that velvety smooth texture that coats every fry perfectly
  • Way more flavorful than processed cheese sauce and completely customizable
02 -
  • Freshly grated cheese melts so much better than pre-shredded bags that contain anti-caking agents
  • Keep the heat low after adding cheese to prevent separating and becoming grainy
  • The sauce will thicken as it stands, so make it slightly thinner than your final desired consistency
03 -
  • Room temperature milk incorporates more smoothly and prevents shocking the roux
  • Grate your cheese from blocks for the smoothest melt possible

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