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Classic Cheese Sauce

Classic Cheese Sauce Recipe

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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 tsp smooth Dijon mustard
  • 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of ground nutmeg (optional)

Method
 

  1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, until bubbling and nutty.
  2. Slowly pour in the warm milk while whisking. Cook, whisking, for 3 to 4 minutes, until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  3. Remove from heat. Stir in the mustard, then add the cheese a handful at a time, stirring until smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
  4. Spoon the sauce over vegetables, potatoes, or nachos and serve while hot. Add a splash of warm milk if it thickens on standing.

Notes

Grate the cheese yourself rather than using pre-shredded, which contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy. If the sauce breaks, blend it with a splash of milk to bring it back together.