3-Ingredient Cheese Sauce

By nnlester

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 the best queso you've ever had (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.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces grated yellow sharp cheddar (about 2 packed cups)
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1 (10-ounce) can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chiles, drained, squeezed dry
• Hot sauce, to taste (optional)

Preparation

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).

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