Cheesy sauce is the star of the show when it comes to creamy mac and cheese and many other dishes. So, are you wondering how to make cheese sauce for macaroni and cheese? Read ahead to find out!

Table of Contents

Ingredient breakdown

Making your own sauce for mac and cheese is easier than you think. It just requires a few simple ingredients that you probably have hanging around your kitchen already.

Butter: The first ingredient you will need to make this creamy, cheesy sauce is butter. When buying butter, make sure it is unsalted. Butter sets the base for both flavor and texture.
All-purpose flour: All-purpose flour is crucial to the thick texture of the cheese sauce. If you are looking for a gluten-free choice, you can also use gluten-free all-purpose flour.
Milk: Add milk to get the creamy consistency you desire. The milk should be full of fat, making the sauce creamier.
Cheddar cheese: I have used mild cheddar cheese for this recipe, but you can also use sharp yellow cheddar cheese.
Black pepper: Black pepper is optional but kicks up the flavor in this sauce.
Garlic powder: Garlic powder adds a deep savory flavor to this sauce. It makes the sauce rich and very delicious.
Salt: Add salt according to your liking to adjust the flavor of this sauce.

How to make a cheese sauce?

Making cheese sauce is super easy and quick. Here is what you have to do:

Step 1: First of all, melt butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan.

Step 2: Add all-purpose flour to the melted butter. You have to whisk constantly until you get a crumble or paste-like consistency. Make sure you adjust the heat to prevent the mixture from burning.

Step 3: Take the saucepan off the heat and slowly pour in the milk. You have to whisk to prevent lumps from forming constantly. Once everything is well combined, place the saucepan back on the heat and let it simmer until the mixture starts to thicken up.

Step 4: Now turn off the heat and add shredded cheese and your choice of seasonings. Mix well until everything unifies, and you get a delicious, creamy, and cheesy sauce.

Tips for making cheese sauce

When making cheese sauce, always use unsalted butter. This way, you can adjust the flavor according to your liking.
Make sure the milk is at room temperature. This way, you can prevent lumps from forming.
If you still find lumps in the sauce, pass it through a mesh sieve before adding cheddar cheese.
You can also add Gruyere cheese and sharp cheddar cheese for an extra cheesy and creamy mixture.
Add old bay seasoning Dijon mustard, onion powder, mustard powder, or cayenne pepper to this cheese sauce for more of a spicy flavoring.
You can use all vegan ingredients like vegan butter, coconut milk, and vegan cheddar cheese to make a vegan version of this cheese sauce.

Different ways of using a cheese sauce

Cheese sauce sets the base for so many unique dishes. There are so many ways you can use this sauce. Here are a few to note:

Homemade mac n cheese: We love a creamy and cheesy sauce in our mac and cheese. It makes a simple mac and cheese into a super tasteful and comforting dish. Just mix the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce, and that’s it.
Casserole: Another dish that you can improve by using cheese sauce is a casserole. No matter which casserole recipe you follow, adding some cheese sauce will make it extra delicious.
Dipping sauce: Cheese sauce is just perfect when you use it as a dipping sauce or a condiment with your main course. Its cheesiness and creaminess go well with crackers, tortilla chips, roasted vegetables, baked potatoes, french fries, and even steaks.
Sandwiches: Most people love sandwiches and burgers loaded with cheesy goodness, and a cheese sauce serves the purpose unlike anything else. You can also enjoy cheese sauce on your sloppy joes or even a pizza!

How to store cheese sauce?

The cheese sauce is very easy to store, so you can always have it on hand in your refrigerator or freezer. Store the cheese sauce in an air-tight container and refrigerate. It will last for up to 5 days. You can also freeze it for up to 4 months.