Silky Homemade Cheese Sauce Recipe: Creamy Goodness Every Time

Creamy homemade cheese sauce can become your secret weapon in the kitchen, turning ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Melted goodness blends seamlessly with pasta, vegetables, or proteins.

Crafting this delectable condiment requires minimal ingredients and simple techniques.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike appreciate its versatility and rich flavor profile.

No complicated steps stand between you and a luxurious sauce that impresses everyone at the table.

Warm, velvety, and irresistibly smooth, this recipe promises to make your next meal absolutely unforgettable.

You’ll want to bookmark this game-changing technique for instant meal magic.

Your FAQs On Delia Smith Cheese Sauce

• What type of cheese works best for this sauce?

Sharp cheddar cheese provides the most robust flavor, but you can also use mild cheddar or mix in other melting cheeses like Gruyère or Monterey Jack for variety.

• How can I prevent lumps in my cheese sauce?

Whisk the milk gradually and continuously while cooking, and make sure to stir constantly to create a smooth, silky texture without any flour or milk clumps.

• Is this sauce gluten-free?

No, the traditional recipe uses wheat flour as a thickener. To make it gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend.

Why Delia Smith Cheese Sauce Is A Must-Have

• Craft Creamy Comfort: A foolproof method for creating a rich, velvety cheese sauce that transforms ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary experiences.
• Master Quick Cooking: Learn a simple technique that takes minimal ingredients and delivers maximum flavor in just a few minutes of preparation.
• Versatile Kitchen Companion: Adaptable sauce perfect for drizzling over vegetables, pasta, nachos, or using as a dipping sauce for everything from pretzels to chicken nuggets.
• Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Guaranteed to win over kids and adults alike with its smooth texture and classic cheddar taste that appeals to all ages and palates.

What You’ll Use For Delia Smith Cheese Sauce

• Butter: A rich, creamy fat that provides a smooth foundation for the sauce.
• Milk: Adds liquid and helps create a silky texture for the cheese sauce.

• Cheddar Cheese: Brings a sharp, tangy flavor and creamy melting quality to the sauce.

• Flour, Salt: Flour helps thicken the sauce, while salt enhances the overall flavor profile.

How To Whip Up Delia Smith Cheese Sauce

Step 1: Prepare Cooking Surface

Select a medium-sized saucepan and place it on the stovetop. Turn the heat to medium, creating a gentle warming environment for your cheese sauce.

Step 2: Create Butter Roux

Drop butter into the pan and let it melt completely, swirling the pan to coat the bottom. The butter should transform into a smooth, golden liquid without browning.

Step 3: Build Flavor Foundation

Sprinkle flour and salt directly into the melted butter. Use a whisk or wooden spoon to blend these ingredients, creating a thick, paste-like mixture called a roux. Stir continuously to prevent any lumps from forming.

Step 4: Introduce Liquid Base

Slowly pour milk into the roux, whisking constantly to ensure a silky, lump-free consistency. The mixture will begin to thicken and transform from a grainy texture to a creamy sauce.

Step 5: Develop Sauce Consistency

Continue cooking and stirring the sauce for approximately two minutes. The sauce will gradually thicken and become smooth, signaling it’s ready for the cheese.

Step 6: Melt Cheese Perfectly

Add Cheddar cheese to the sauce, stirring until completely melted and integrated. The sauce should look glossy, smooth, and have a rich, golden color.

Step 7: Finish and Serve

Remove the sauce from heat. Pour over vegetables, pasta, nachos, or any dish craving a delicious cheese enhancement. Enjoy immediately while warm and wonderfully creamy.

Tips To Nail Delia Smith Cheese Sauce

• Prevent Lumps: Whisk milk slowly and steadily into the butter-flour mixture to ensure a silky, smooth texture without any clumps.
• Cheese Selection Matters: Use freshly grated block cheese instead of pre-shredded varieties for better melting and richer flavor.
• Temperature Control: Keep heat at medium-low to avoid scorching the sauce and maintain a creamy consistency.
• Consistency Adjustment: Add more milk if sauce becomes too thick, or simmer longer if it's too thin for your desired texture.
• Flavor Boosters: Enhance the sauce with a pinch of mustard powder, garlic powder, or white pepper for extra depth and complexity.

Tasty Variations For Delia Smith Cheese Sauce

• Dairy-Free Delight: Swap butter with olive oil, use plant-based milk, and replace Cheddar with nutritional yeast for a vegan-friendly cheese sauce.
• Spicy Kick: Add cayenne pepper, diced jalapeños, or hot sauce to create a zesty, heat-packed version of the classic cheese sauce.
• Herb-Infused Blend: Mix in fresh chopped herbs like chives, parsley, or basil for an aromatic and flavorful cheese sauce that elevates any dish.
• Gourmet Upgrade: Experiment with different cheese combinations like Gruyère, Parmesan, or blue cheese to create a more sophisticated and complex sauce.

What To Serve With Delia Smith Cheese Sauce

• Elevate Comfort with Crusty Bread Dipping: Slice a warm, artisan baguette and use it to scoop up the rich, creamy cheese sauce for a luxurious appetizer experience.
• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to cut through the sauce's richness and provide a refreshing contrast to the cheesy, velvety texture.
• Match with Roasted Vegetables: Drizzle the cheese sauce over oven-roasted broccoli, cauliflower, or Brussels sprouts to transform simple vegetables into a gourmet side dish.
• Complement with Grilled Proteins: Pour the sauce over grilled chicken, pork tenderloin, or seared steak to add a decadent layer of flavor and creamy indulgence.

How To Store Delia Smith Cheese Sauce Right

• Store leftover cheese sauce in a sealed container for up to 4 days, pressing plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent skin formation.
• Warm sauce over low heat, whisking constantly and adding a splash of milk to restore smooth consistency, preventing separation and burning.
• Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly and maintain creamy texture.
• Pour cooled sauce into freezer-safe containers, leaving slight headspace, and freeze for up to 2 months, thawing overnight in refrigerator before reheating.

Cheese Sauce Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 12 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Silky smooth cheese sauce elevates ordinary dishes from bland to grand. Parmesan, cheddar, and cream meld into a luxurious blend you’ll crave on pasta, vegetables, or as a dipping companion for crusty bread.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1 cup whole milk

Thickening Agents:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Seasoning:

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. In a saucepan, gently melt butter over medium-low heat until it becomes silky and frothy.
2. Sprinkle flour and salt into the melted butter, whisking vigorously to create a smooth, golden roux.
3. Pour milk incrementally, stirring continuously to prevent lumps from forming and ensure a velvety consistency.
4. Simmer the mixture for 2-3 minutes, maintaining constant movement to prevent scorching and allow the sauce to thicken.
5. Reduce heat to low and incorporate shredded Cheddar cheese, stirring until the cheese melts completely and the sauce transforms into a glossy, creamy texture.
6. Remove from heat and let the sauce rest for 30 seconds to stabilize its consistency.
7. Drizzle immediately over vegetables, pasta, or your preferred dishes while the sauce remains warm and luxuriously smooth.

Notes

• Ensure butter is fully melted before adding flour to prevent lumpy sauce texture.
• Use room temperature milk for smoother incorporation and consistent blending.
• Select high-quality aged Cheddar cheese for richer, more complex flavor profile.
• Adjust thickness by adding more milk if sauce becomes too thick during cooking process.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 222 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 316 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 7 g
• Fiber: 0.3 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 52 mg