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3-Ingredient Microwave Cheese Sauce

3.5

(20)

Photo of easy cheese sauce recipe with chip dipping into a bowl of sauce and a plate of chips underneath the bowl.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone

This velvety-smooth sauce uses real cheddar (not the processed stuff) and comes together in less than 10 minutes. Serve as is with chips, fries, or chili dogs, or transform it into a quick take on queso (see below for more on that). Pro tip: Skip the aged cheddar from the fancy cheese counter—the sauce will be even creamier with a block of no-frills cheddar from the dairy aisle of the supermarket.

Cooks' Note

If you don't have a microwave, combine ingredients as written in a medium heatproof bowl, then set over a saucepan of simmering water. Whisk the mixture occasionally until melted and smooth.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    10 minutes

  • Yield

    Makes about 2 cups

Ingredients

For cheese sauce:

8 ounces grated yellow sharp cheddar (about 2 packed cups)
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 cup evaporated milk

For queso variation:

1 (10-ounce) can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chiles, drained, squeezed dry
Hot sauce, to taste (optional)

Preparation

  1. Make cheese sauce:

    Step 1

    Toss cheese and cornstarch in a medium heatproof bowl. Pour evaporated milk over and cook in microwave on high 1 minute. Whisk and continue to cook in 30-second increments, whisking in between, until melted and smooth (about 2 minutes total).

  2. Make queso variation:

    Step 2

    Once cheese has melted, stir in Rotel and hot sauce, if using, and microwave an additional 30 seconds. Stir to combine.

TagsSauceCondimentDipCheddarCheeseDairyStarterSideDinnerGluten FreeNut FreeVegetarianEasyQuickWeeknight Meals30 Minutes or Less5 Ingredients or FewerSimmerEpicurious

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