Cheese Sauce for Fries (Printable)

A rich, creamy cheese sauce made with cheddar and mozzarella, seasoned with garlic and spices. Perfect drizzled over crispy fries.

# 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 (or to taste)

# Directions:

01 - In a medium saucepan, melt the butter 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 -
  • The sauce comes together faster than delivery would arrive, and it tastes infinitely better than anything from a jar
  • You probably have everything in your kitchen right now, making it perfect for impulsive snack attacks
02 -
  • Pre shredded cheese contains anti caking agents that prevent smooth melting, and I learned this lesson when my sauce turned grainy despite perfect technique
  • If your sauce starts to separate or look oily, immediately remove it from heat and whisk vigorously while adding a splash of cold milk to bring it back together
03 -
  • Grate your cheese by hand while it is cold from the fridge, as room temperature cheese tends to clump and stick to the grater
  • Warm your milk slightly in the microwave before adding it to the roux, which helps it incorporate faster and prevents that dreaded saucepan bottom from scorching

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