Mustard Cheese Sauce

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 03/8/22
Cheese sauce in a dish

Dave King/Getty Images

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 5 mins
Total: 15 mins
Servings: 5 servings
Yield: 1 1/4 cups

A cheese sauce is a welcome addition to a variety of dishes, and when a little mustard is mixed in, it takes that dish to a whole new level. In this easy cheese sauce recipe, dry mustard and garlic powder add a burst of flavor and a hint of spice. Butter and flour are cooked into a roux, milk and cheddar cheese are mixed together until creamy and thick, and then the sauce is seasoned with the mustard and garlic powders. It is delicious spooned over steamed broccoli and cauliflower, grilled chicken, and even noodles. You can also use it as a casserole sauce, or as a dip for soft pretzels or chicken nuggets.

Sharp cheddar cheese will make for a stronger tasting sauce, but if the goal of this recipe is to get the kids to eat their vegetables, you may want to consider choosing a mild version. The mustard powder, which is simply ground up mustard seeds, adds a nice tanginess to the cheese sauce and cuts through the rich taste of the cheese. But if you'd like a richer sauce, use half-and-half or light cream in place of the milk.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1 dash freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 cup milk

  • 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, sharp or mild

  • 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

  • 1 dash garlic powder

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter.

  3. When the butter begins to foam, stir in the flour; cook and stir for about 1 minute.

  4. Stir in the salt and pepper.

  5. Gradually stir in the milk.

  6. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until the sauce has thickened.

  7. Add the shredded cheese, dry mustard, and garlic powder.

  8. Continue to cook and stir until the cheese is melted.

  9. Enjoy spooned over a main or side dish or as a dipping sauce.

Tip

To prevent the cheese sauce from becoming lumpy, it's important to follow a few steps. First, allow the milk to come to room temperature before adding as cold milk can curdle when it is combined with hot ingredients. Also, be sure to keep the heat no higher than medium-low when cooking the sauce. Lastly, add the milk very slowly, stirring constantly.

What Is a Roux?

A roux (pronounced "roo") is a French term for a cooked mixture of fat and flour. It is used to thicken a wide variety of sauces and is a key part of several Cajun or Creole recipes. When making a roux, it's important to monitor the heat and stir constantly to prevent the mixture from burning.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
123 Calories
9g Fat
5g Carbs
5g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 5
Amount per serving
Calories 123
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 9g 12%
Saturated Fat 6g 28%
Cholesterol 27mg 9%
Sodium 239mg 10%
Total Carbohydrate 5g 2%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 0mg 1%
Calcium 141mg 11%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 84mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)