Here’s another twist on a traditional cheese sauce recipe. Jalapeño cheese sauce is tame enough for the whole family and plenty versatile. Smother a steak with this sauce and you’ll be very, very happy. Drizzle it over vegetables, and you’ve added much needed life to that broccoli or cauliflower. Or simply use it as a dipper. It’s good in so many ways.
Using pickled jalapeños instead of fresh give this cheese sauce a slight acidity. It lets the flavor of the jalapeño peppers cut through the cheese adding both pop and tang. Feel free to add more jalapeños or less, depending on your heat tolerance.
A strong mature cheddar is the best cheese to use for this recipe. If you cannot find any in the supermarket try mixing a milder hard cheese with some parmesan to achieve a similar flavor.
To make life a little more convenient you can prepare the sauce in the microwave. See our notes below for this alternative cooking method. If you’re in a rush, it works – but for the best flavor it’s best to prepare on the oven.
Jalapeño Cheese Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon flour
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 ½ cups extra sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 cups milk
- 2 tablespoons pickled jalapeño slices
Instructions
- Place a pan over medium heat, add the butter and melt it completely.
- Add the ground pepper, salt, and flour to the pan. Stir quickly to create a smooth paste.
- Add the cheese and milk. Stir constantly until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
- Roughly chop the jalapeños (or slice into rings) and stir into the sauce. Serve immediately.