Quick and Easy Nacho Cheese Recipe (2024)

This nacho cheese sauce is sharp and creamy, and everything you ever dreamed of smothering over nachos, veggies, or a giant pretzel.

Hey, friend, you ever marvel at that super creamy nacho cheese sauce you get at restaurants and movie theaters and wish you could make it at home? I have just the recipe for you.

Quick and Easy Nacho Cheese Recipe (1)

This nacho cheese sauce is sharp and creamy, just as spicy (or not) as you want it to be, and everything you ever dreamed of smothering over nachos, veggies, or a giant pretzel (<–my fav).

To make it, you just need 5 minutes, AND my secret creamy cheese sauce weapon: evaporated milk.

And I know this might not be something you keep in your pantry. If that’s the case, and you need cheese sauce NOW, no worries, go make my classic Homemade Cheese Sauce. It’s made with butter, milk, and flour, so you probably have the ingredients, and it’s GREAT.

But if you have evaporated milk in your pantry or are going shopping before making this, grab a can and give this recipe a try. You will not be disappointed.

What’s the Deal With Evaporated Milk?

Evaporated milk is just milk that’s been simmered over low heat until more than half of the water content has evaporated, so it’s extra creamy. It’s perfect for giving you extremely creamy cheese sauces without the heaviness of using half and half or heavy cream.

When heated together with cheese and a dash or two of hot sauce, you get something pretty magical.

Quick and Easy Nacho Cheese Recipe (2)

How to Make Nacho Cheese Sauce

1. Toss shredded cheese and cornstarch together so your cheese gets coated and you don’t end up with any big cornstarch lumps in your sauce. The cornstarch will help thicken your nacho sauce and prevent it from curdling.

2. Heat evaporated milk over medium heat until milk just begins to simmer.

3.Remove the milk from heat and stir in the cheese, a handful at a time,until all the cheese has been incorporated and it has completely melted into the sauce.

4. Add hot sauce, salt, and cayenne, and then taste and add more if needed.

5. And the final, most important step: drizzle your homemade nacho cheese over something delicious, and try not to eat the entire pot. 😉

FAQ

Can I make this in advance?

Yes. Unlike a lot of cheese sauces, this sauce reheats pretty well (though it will get a little lumpy if reheated too hot and as it cools). It will solidify in the refrigerator but returns to its pourable state when reheated. To reheat:

  • On the stove: Transfer sauce to a small saucepan and reheat gently over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Do not allow to come to a boil.
  • In the microwave: Microwave in a microwave-safe dish, stopping to stir sauce every 10-15 seconds as needed until just heated through. Heads up, the sauce will pop and sizzle in the microwave.

Nacho Cheese Sauce for Parties

This recipe makes a little over 2 cups of sauce, but if you would like to make an even bigger batch, the recipe doubles with no preparation changes.

You can transfer your prepared nacho sauce to a slow cooker and keep it set to warm for a couple of hours. Fair warning, it will do that cheese sauce thing where the top sets and gets kind of sad and ugly looking, but if you give it a quick whisk, it returns to looking smooth and beautiful.

Quick and Easy Nacho Cheese Recipe (3)

What to serve with nacho sauce?

Looking for more things to drizzle nacho cheese over? Try:

  • Steamed Broccoli
  • Steamed Cauliflower
  • Carnitas Nacho Fries
  • Chili Baked Potatoes

Nacho Cheese Recipe Notes

You should be able to find evaporated milk in the baking aisle next to the condensed milk. Double check the can that you’re putting in your cart and make sure that you’re getting evaporated and not condensed milk, because the two CANNOT be used interchangeably. (Though you can and should use condensed milk to make dulce de leche…)

You Might Also Enjoy

  • Easy Barbacoa
  • Carne Asada
  • Homemade Carnitas
  • Chicken Enchiladas
  • Cilantro Lime Rice

Quick and Easy Nacho Cheese Recipe (4)

Quick and Easy Nacho Cheese Recipe

This nacho cheese sauce is sharp and creamy, and everything you ever dreamed of smothering over nachos, veggies, or a giant pretzel.

4.83 from 85 votes

Print Pin

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings (Hover or Click to Change Yield): 8 servings

Calories: 203kcal

Author: Tracy

Ingredients

  • 3 cups (12oz) freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese *
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 12-ounce can (1 1/2 cups) evaporated milk
  • 2 teaspoons hot sauce optional
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper plus more as needed

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, combine shredded cheese and cornstarch and toss to coat.

  • To a medium saucepan, add evaporated milk. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until milk just begins to simmer.

  • Remove the milk from heat and stir in the cheese, a large handful at a time,until all the cheese has been incorporated and it has completely melted into the sauce.

  • Add hot sauce, salt, and cayenne, and then taste and add more if needed. Serve over nachos, fries, or steamed vegetables and enjoy!

Notes

* For best results, do not use pre-shredded cheese as it contains anti-caking additives that may prevent the cheese from melting smoothly.

To keep warm, transfer mixture to a crockpot on the warm setting. Whisk occasionally.

Did you make this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag @BakingMischief or hashtag it #BakingMischief.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission if you make a purchase using them. There is absolutely no additional cost to you.

Quick and Easy Nacho Cheese Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the best melting cheese for nachos? ›

Sharp cheddar gets my vote for nacho cheese. It melts smoothly without being stringy, while having a nice flavorful punch. You can use mild or medium cheddar if you prefer, but the flavor will be a bit blander. Monterey jack and pepper jack also melt really well into sauces and make a great white nacho cheese sauce.

What is nacho cheese sauce made of? ›

Ingredients: Nacho sauce is typically made with a combination of melted cheese, tomatoes, and spices, while cheese dip is usually made with a blend of melted cheese and milk or cream. Consistency: Nacho sauce is usually thicker and more paste-like in consistency, while cheese dip is typically thinner and more pourable.

How do you make nacho cheese that doesn't get hard? ›

Keep Your Nacho Cheese Warm and Creamy

It is best to keep your nacho cheese warm in a small crockpot or slow cooker, or on low heat on the stove. Stir it regularly, as it can begin to clump and harden if even heat is not applied. Stir in a bit of milk if it starts to lose its creaminess.

What makes nacho cheese taste like nacho cheese? ›

Nacho cheese doritos attempt to recreate, in a shelf-stable dry powder form, the taste of queso, which in this context means the smooth, flows mix of evaporated milk, cheese, diced red peppers and sometimes onion powder.

What kind of cheese goes in nachos? ›

Cheddar cheese is a popular choice these days, though Monterey Jack and Mozzarella work just as well.

What is the white stuff in nacho cheese? ›

They're most likely calcium lactate crystals, also known as “cheese crystals.” They are completely safe to eat, and usually signify that a cheese is flavorful and well-aged. Calcium lactate crystals form naturally during the aging process and are most commonly found in aged cheddars, including Smoked Medium Cheddar.

How do you thicken nacho cheese sauce? ›

Flour or cornstarch can both thicken a liquid. In a small separate bowl, mix a tablespoon of either flour or cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cheese sauce until the mixture is smooth. Add the mixture back to the milky cheese sauce, and stir until combined and desired thickness is achieved.

How do you keep cheese dip creamy? ›

For dips, you'll want to use a tablespoon of cornstarch per pound of cheese, then add at least five ounces of evaporated milk. After that, you can use more evaporated milk to thin out your dip as much as you need.

How do you keep cheese sauce creamy? ›

When making cheese sauces and cheese-based soups, be sure to add the cheese slowly over low heat, or your sauce could become grainy. Reheat cheese sauces and soups low and slow to maintain the smooth texture.

Why does my nacho cheese get watery? ›

Once a cheese container is opened, the product is exposed to its surroundings where various enzymes can break down the thickness or viscosity of the cheese-based sauce. Use of utensils that have come into contact with saliva (double dipping) or any other food may accelerate the loss of viscosity of the cheese sauce.

What brand of nacho cheese do movie theaters use? ›

Since then, the unmistakable aroma of Ricos Nacho Cheese Sauce has become synonymous with the joyous spirit of entertainment venues, sports arenas, and movie theaters across the globe.

What kind of cheese is in Doritos? ›

Corn, Vegetable Oil (Sunflower, Canola, and/or Corn Oil), Maltodextrin (Made From Corn), Salt, Cheddar Cheese (Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes), Whey, Monosodium Glutamate, Buttermilk, Romano Cheese (Part-Skim Cow's Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes), Whey Protein Concentrate, Onion Powder, Corn Flour, Natural ...

Why is nacho cheese so addictive? ›

The protein found in milk — human or animal — is called casein, and when it breaks down in your body, it produces molecules called casomorphins. These strings of amino acids have the same effect in your brain as opiates do. Yep, it works kind of the same as heroin does in your brain.

What cheese melts smoothly? ›

For superior meltability, look for a full-fat, high moisture mozzarella, like small balls packed in water. You can substitute other types of mozzarella for the ball form (like stracciatella or burrata), or look to other mild-flavored melting cheeses like provolone or Gouda.

What cheeses are best for melting sauce? ›

Cheeses with more moisture and lower melting points make for mouthwatering, creamy cheese sauces. Cheddar is one of the most popular choices, but Swiss and Gruyère are also terrific options.

What is the best melting cheese for tacos? ›

QUESO OAXACA

It's a type of white string cheese that is quite soft. It melts very easily, making it a popular choice for fillings – it's another queso variety that you'll often see in my recipes!

What kind of cheese melts on tacos? ›

You can use any shredded, melty cheese, such as cheddar, Monterrey jack, Pepper jack, or mozzarella. I like using a Mexican blend because you get a mix of everything. I opt for pre-shredded cheese because it's one less step, but if you prefer to grate the cheese yourself, that works.

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