Creamy, smooth, and cheesy, this Taco Bell-inspired nacho cheese sauce is easy to make at home in about 20 minutes. It has a rich cheese flavor, mild jalapeno kick, and silky texture that’s perfect for dipping tortilla chips, topping nachos, tacos, burritos, fries, and more.
Total Time:20 minutes
Yield:2 cups
Ingredients
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
4 ounces mild cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
4 ounces American cheese, finely chopped
2 tablespoons diced pickled jalapeños
1 tablespoon jalapeño pickling liquid
½ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
¼ cup evaporated milk, as needed for thinning
Instructions
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low to medium heat.
Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute until smooth.
Slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly to prevent lumps.
Cook for 2 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture begins to thicken.
Reduce the heat to low and gradually add the shredded cheddar and chopped American cheese.
Stir continuously until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Stir in the diced jalapeños, jalapeño pickling liquid, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and cayenne pepper.
If the sauce is too thick, gradually whisk in a small amount of evaporated milk until you reach your desired consistency.
Taste and adjust the seasoning or spice level as needed.
Serve immediately with tortilla chips, nachos, tacos, fries, burritos, or your favorite Mexican-inspired dishes.
Notes
Keep the heat low when adding the cheese to help prevent a grainy or separated sauce.
Freshly shredded cheese generally melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.
Add extra jalapeños or cayenne for a spicier sauce.
For a milder version, reduce or omit the cayenne and jalapeños.
The sauce thickens as it cools. Add a splash of milk when reheating if needed.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat gently over low heat.
