By Becky Hardin
Updated Mar 12, 2025
My homemade nacho cheese sauce recipe is so quick and easy, and I love that it only requires 4 ingredients and 5 minutes! It has the best cheddar cheese flavor, with a little bit of spice, thanks to pepper jack and hot sauce. My husband played baseball in college, and if there’s any nostalgic snack that makes him happy, it’s nachos. Ever since I learned how to make nacho cheese sauce, it’s been on repeat at our house!
5-Star Review
“I made this tonight with the Mexican cheese blend. It worked wonderfully. So easy and yes the trick is to not let it boil, but gently melt.” – Ronnie
This easy nacho cheese sauce is so dippable and so easy. Learning how to make nacho cheese sauce has allowed me to whip this up any time, for any meal or snack, game day, or Cinco de Mayo. You’re going to love the creamy and cheesy consistency. I use it to dip nachos, fries, and pretzels or slather it on top of tacos, fajitas, and anything my heart desires!
Tips for Success
- Always use freshly grated cheese for the smoothest, creamiest cheese sauce. Pre-shredded cheese is coated with anti-caking agents that can make your sauce grainy and prevent it from melting properly.
- I sometimes substitute flour in place of cornstarch when I need to, but when doing so I need a bit more of it to achieve the same result. I slowly add more in and stir until I get the desired consistency.
- Make sure all ingredients are mixing and melting evenly to avoid clumping. Cheese sauce needs to be cooked low and slow and whisked constantly until everything is fully combined and melted.
- If the sauce seems too thick, add more evaporated milk (a little bit at a time) and continue heating and stirring until it reaches your desired consistency.
- As soon as the cheese starts to cool, it will harden and change texture. You can keep it over low heat and continue stirring regularly. But you may need to stir in more milk once it’s started to harden, to refresh its creamy texture.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 8 ounces freshly shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
- ▢ 4 ounces freshly shredded pepper jack cheese
- ▢ 1½ tablespoons cornstarch
- ▢ 12 ounces evaporated milk unsweetened
- ▢ 2 teaspoons hot sauce optional, such as Frank’s
Video
Instructions
- In a medium, heavy-bottom saucepan set over low heat, combine cheese and cornstarch. Toss to combine. 8 ounces freshly shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese, 4 ounces freshly shredded pepper jack cheese, 1½ tablespoons cornstarch
- Add evaporated milk and hot sauce and whisk constantly until cheese is melted. Continue whisking about 5 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and has thickened. 12 ounces evaporated milk, 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- If cheese has thickened too much, add additional evaporated milk.
- Serve immediately.
Becky’s Tips
- Use unsweetened evaporated milk.
- Use any hot sauce you like. Something classic like Frank’s works great.
- Cook on low heat slowly for best texture.
- The cheese sauce is best served immediately.
- To store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 days.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Nacho Cheese Sauce Step by Step
Toss the Cheeses: In a medium, heavy-bottom saucepan set over low heat, combine 8 ounces of extra-sharp cheddar cheese, 4 ounces of pepper jack cheese, and 1½ tablespoons of cornstarch. Toss to combine.
Melt the Cheeses: Add 12 ounces (1 can) of unsweetened evaporated milk and 2 teaspoons of hot sauce and whisk constantly until cheese is melted. Continue whisking for about 5 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and has thickened.
Thin and Serve: If the cheese has thickened too much, add additional evaporated milk. Serve immediately.
How to Store and Reheat
In my opinion, nacho cheese sauce is best consumed fresh and hot, because the texture will change when it cools. But you can store leftovers in an airtight container, in the refrigerator for 2 days. Reheat in a pan on the stovetop over low heat. Add small amounts of evaporated milk to help freshen it up, and stir until fully heated through.
I do not recommend freezing nacho cheese sauce.
Serving Suggestions
There are so many ways to use this quick and easy nacho cheese! Of course, it’s ideal for dipping nachos , but that’s not where it ends. I love to use it to dip chips, pretzel bites , French fries , tater tots , taquitos , and any number of things in it. Pour it over beef enchiladas , your favorite tacos , chicken fajitas , or rice.
Of course, this recipe is a huge hit for Football Sundays in my house, and this year, it’s on my menu for Cinco de Mayo alongside some other fan favorites.
How to Spice Up Nacho Cheese
Plain nacho cheese is delicious, but a few simple upgrades can take it to the next level. Here are some easy ways to add more flavor and heat:
- Kick up the heat with diced jalapeños, chipotle peppers in adobo, or extra hot sauce.
- Add flavor depth with seasonings like taco seasoning , garlic powder, or onion powder for extra savory goodness.
- Make it creamier or tangier with sour cream, yogurt, or cream cheese.
- Add in some texture with bacon bits, chorizo, or shredded chicken .
- Mix up the cheeses with smoked gouda, blue cheese, or havarti for a deeper flavor.
More Cheese dips we love
White Queso Recipe
Velveeta Queso Recipe (Rotel Dip)
Crockpot Queso
Queso Fundido
Nacho Cheese Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces freshly shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 ounces freshly shredded pepper jack cheese
- 1½ tablespoons cornstarch
- 12 ounces evaporated milk unsweetened
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce optional, such as Frank’s
Instructions
- In a medium, heavy-bottom saucepan set over low heat, combine cheese and cornstarch. Toss to combine. 8 ounces freshly shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese, 4 ounces freshly shredded pepper jack cheese, 1½ tablespoons cornstarch
- Add evaporated milk and hot sauce and whisk constantly until cheese is melted. Continue whisking about 5 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and has thickened. 12 ounces evaporated milk, 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- If cheese has thickened too much, add additional evaporated milk.
- Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- Use unsweetened evaporated milk.
- Use any hot sauce you like. Something classic like Frank’s works great.
- Cook on low heat slowly for best texture.
- The cheese sauce is best served immediately.
- To store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 days.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
