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+ servings
5 from 1 vote
A gravy boat of cheese sauce.
Basic Cheese Sauce
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
25 mins
 
This is your basic cheese sauce recipe, using three different cheeses for three different reasons - Cheddar for flavor, Gruyère for meltability and Parmesan for salty seasoning.
Course: Sauces
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Vegetarian, Sauces
Servings: 18 Makes 6 cups
Calories: 209 kcal
Author: The Blue Jean Chef, Meredith Laurence
Ingredients
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 6 tablespoons flour
  • 2 teaspoons dried mustard powder
  • 4 cups milk room temperature
  • 3 cups grated Swiss cheese preferably Gruyère
  • 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • pinch freshly grated nutmeg optional
Instructions
  1. Heat a 2- to 3-quart saucepan over medium heat. Melt the butter.
  2. Add the flour and mustard powder and stir, cooking for 2 minutes.
  3. Whisk in the milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Stirring regularly, bring the sauce to a boil. Once it has boiled and thickened, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the grated cheeses, salt and pepper. Season with a little grated nutmeg if desired.

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts
Basic Cheese Sauce
Amount Per Serving
Calories 209 Calories from Fat 135
% Daily Value*
Fat 15g23%
Saturated Fat 9g45%
Cholesterol 47mg16%
Sodium 501mg21%
Potassium 107mg3%
Carbohydrates 6g2%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 12g24%
Vitamin A 490IU10%
Calcium 357mg36%
Iron 0.3mg2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.