Cheese Sauce for Fries (Printable)

A rich, velvety cheddar sauce ready in 15 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

01 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

02 - 1 cup whole milk

03 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

04 - 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

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

01 - Place butter in a medium saucepan and melt over medium heat.

02 - Whisk flour into melted butter and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to form a smooth roux.

03 - Slowly pour in milk while whisking continuously until smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.

04 - Reduce heat to low. Add cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, stirring until completely melted and smooth.

05 - Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, pepper, and salt until well combined.

06 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve warm over crispy fries or as a dipping sauce.

01 -

This sauce comes together in under fifteen minutes and transforms basic frozen fries into something that tastes like it came from a restaurant
The combination of sharp cheddar and mellow mozzarella creates the perfect balance of tangy and creamy that keeps everyone coming back for more

02 -

Pre-shredded cheese contains cellulose that prevents it from melting smoothly, so grating your own cheese makes the difference between sauce and a separated, oily mess
Never add the cheese over high heat or the proteins will seize and become grainy, which is why reducing to low heat before adding dairy is non-negotiable

03 -

Room temperature ingredients incorporate more smoothly and prevent the sauce from breaking, so pull everything out about twenty minutes before you start cooking
Adding a tiny pinch of mustard powder enhances the cheese flavor without making it taste like mustard, activating compounds in the cheese that make it taste more intense