Description
Ready in just 15 minutes, this Taco Bell Nacho Cheese Sauce recipe is your go-to fix for quick snacks, party dips, or easy dinner sides. Creamy, cheesy, and spiced just right, this easy recipe uses pantry staples to deliver a nostalgic, fast-food-inspired flavor at home. Perfect for game days, quick breakfast-for-dinner ideas, or late-night cravings, this versatile sauce pairs perfectly with chips, fries, tacos, and more. If you’re looking for bold flavor and a smooth, velvety texture, this easy cheese dip will not disappoint. Great for all kinds of food ideas and snack attacks!
Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup shredded American cheese
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon pickled jalapeño juice
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Salt to taste
Optional: pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce
Instructions
1. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
2. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to form a roux. Stir for 1-2 minutes until it smells slightly nutty but doesn’t brown.
3. Slowly pour in 1 cup of whole milk while whisking to avoid lumps. Let it simmer and thicken for 3-4 minutes.
4. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in 1/2 cup of shredded American cheese and 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese gradually until fully melted and smooth.
5. Mix in 1 tablespoon of pickled jalapeño juice, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, and salt to taste. Add cayenne or hot sauce if you like it spicier.
6. Serve immediately while warm. Great with chips, fries, or as a topping on tacos and burritos.
Notes
Freshly shredded cheese melts better and gives a smoother finish.
If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of warm milk while stirring.
Always keep the heat on low when melting cheese to avoid separation.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 360mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 40mg