What is cheese sauce?
With its origins in English cooking, cheese sauce is known as one of the ‘mother sauces’ lifting many dishes across the globe with its smooth, and sometimes tangy, flavour. Macaroni, lasagne, cauliflower and fish pie are just some of the dishes that have benefited from a cheesy addition.
How to eat cheese sauce
A smooth, dependable cheese sauce recipe is a must-have for home-cooks. You can pour it over vegetables, add it to baked potatoes, or liven up a bowl of pasta. Follow this recipe for the perfect cheese sauce that you can put on anything.
How to make cheese sauce step by step
- First make the roux. Melt 40g of butter in a saucepan over medium heat until it starts to foam.
- Add 1/4 cup of flour and cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes or until the mixture starts to bubble. It’s important to cook the flour so that the sauce doesn’t taste raw or floury. Cook the roux gently so it doesn’t change colour. Remove from heat.
- To create the béchamel sauce, gradually whisk in 2 cups of warm milk until smooth. The components will blend easier if they are a similar temperature.
- Return to the heat and stir constantly for 5 minutes or until the mixture thickens.
- Stir in 1 cup of grated cheddar cheese (or a mix of cheddar, mozzarella and parmesan) until melted. Don’t overheat the mixture otherwise the sauce will split.
- Remove from heat. You can now use the sauce over many dishes. Add it to pasta with bacon and cauliflower, or pour it over steamed vegetables for a tasty side dish.
How to make cheese sauce in the microwave
If you are short on time, you can also make your cheese sauce in the microwave. Just follow our easy and lump-free cheese sauce recipe here.
Why does my cheese sauce split?
Overcooking is the main reason cheese sauces split. The béchamel sauce only needs to be hot enough to melt the cheese, which you should add gradually, mixing gently until it is fully incorporated.
Can cheese sauce be made ahead of time?
Cheese sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for between 2 and 5 days. Reheat it in a saucepan over low heat to ensure it doesn’t burn.
Is cheese sauce gluten free?
You can make gluten-free cheese sauce by substituting plain flour for amaranth or any other gluten-free flour.
Top recipes using cheese sauce
- Bacon and chicken macaroni cheese
- Mixed vegetables in cheese sauce
- Mac ‘n’ cheese pumpkin bowls
- Hayden Quinn’s charred broccolini with goat’s cheese sauce
- Roast kipfler potatoes with blue cheese sauce
- Cauliflower in cheese sauce
Our favourite variations on the classic cheese sauce
More cheese ideas
