Microwave Cheddar Cheese Sauce

Course Appetizer, Condiment, Sauce

Cuisine American, Southern

Keyword cheddar-cheese-sauce, homemade-cheese-sauce, microwave-cheddar-cheese-sauce

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 8

Total Time 23

Servings servings (3 cups)

Calories 186kcal

Author Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

4 Tbsp salted butter
2 cup whole milk plus additional for dissolving cornstarch
3 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 tsp salt adjust to taste
1/4 tsp ground mustard
1/4 tsp garlic powder
dash ground nutmeg [optional]
black pepper to taste [optional]

Instructions

Melt butter in a large microwave safe bowl. (1000 watt microwave)
To the bowl add milk, cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese. Stir well, cover with doubled paper towels then return to the microwave. Heat on full power for 2 minutes.
In a small bowl dissolve the cornstarch in just enough cold milk to make a slurry to thicken the sauce.
Use oven mitts to safely remove bowl from microwave it may be hot. Whisk the slurry into the warmed sauce along with the salt, ground mustard, nutmeg and pepper, if using.
The mixture will be thin at this point. Return to the microwave heating in 2 minute increments stopping to whisk each time.
Repeat process until the cheese is completely melted and the mixture has thickened to your liking. This cheese sauce took three [2] minute cycles total to thicken. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
Use immediately or place into an airtight container and chill. See instructions for reheating in Cook's note.

Notes

a) If making in advance and chilling the cheddar cheese sauce will solidify. Whisk and gently reheat in the microwave. Repeat whisking and heating in small increments until smooth. Add small amounts of milk as needed to thin.
b) This cheddar cheese sauce was made in a 1000 watt microwave. Make adjustments to the cooking time based on the wattage of the microwave in use.
c) For the best results use whole milk or 2% milk to prepare.

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