The Best Ever Homemade Cheese Sauce Recipe

This is one of those recipes that I thought would just be "meh"—you know, the kind you try once and then forget about.I mean, how good can a sauce made from cauliflower be? But let me tell you, I was so wrong. This homemade cheese sauce is mind-blowingly delicious and ridiculously easy to make! I’m talking for 15 minutes, and you’ve got a creamy, cheesy sauce that tastes indulgent but is secretly packed with veggies.

I know, cauliflower in cheese sauce sounds a little odd, right? But trust me, this sauce is smooth, rich, and hits all the right cheesy notes without the guilt. You can dip, drizzle, or mix it into just about anything—pasta, veggies, nachos, you name it. So grab your ingredients, and let’s dive into this cheesy recipe!

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Cheese Sauce Recipe?

1. Healthy twist: This recipe uses cauliflower as a base, which lightens the sauce without sacrificing that creamy, cheesy goodness we all love. With Greek yogurt and some milk, it’s a healthier option for those watching calories.
2. Quick and easy: In under 15 minutes, you’ll have a delicious cheese sauce ready to go. Perfect for those busy nights when you want something quick but still crave-worthy.
3. Customizable: Like your cheese sauce a little spicy? Add some chili flakes or cayenne pepper. Want it even cheesier? Toss in more cheddar or mix in other cheeses like mozzarella or gouda.
4. Versatile: This sauce is a multitasker! Use it as a veggie dip, a topping for baked potatoes, a sauce for mac and cheese, or even in casseroles. The possibilities are endless!

Ingredients

• 2 cups of cooked riced cauliflower
• ¼ cup non-fat Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons of milk
• 1½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 teaspoon of garlic
• Salt, to taste

How to Make Homemade Cheese Sauce?

Step 1: Cook and Rice the Cauliflower

Start by cooking your cauliflower. You can use fresh or frozen riced cauliflower for convenience. Steam it, microwave it, or boil it until it’s tender, but make sure you drain it really well afterward. Excess water can make your cheese sauce too thin, and we want it to be nice and thick!

If you don’t have riced cauliflower on hand, you can make your own by pulsing cauliflower florets in a food processor until they resemble rice grains. It’s an easy way to get more veggies into your meal without even noticing them.

Step 2: Blend the Base

Once your cauliflower is cooked and drained, transfer it to a blender. Add in your ¼ cup of non-fat Greek yogurt and 2 tablespoons of milk. Blend everything together on the liquify setting until it’s super smooth and creamy. This cauliflower yogurt base will give your sauce a rich texture without needing tons of butter or cream.

Zulay Says: If you want your sauce even creamier, you can add a little more yogurt or milk. Just be careful not to add too much, as you don’t like the sauce to become runny.

Step 3: Heat and Add Cheese

Next, pour your blended cauliflower mixture into a pot over medium heat. Slowly stir in your 1½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese, and keep stirring until the cheese melts completely and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.

The cheese melts best when added gradually and stirred constantly, so take your time with this step. If you love an extra cheesy sauce, you can always toss in a little more cheddar—or experiment with other cheeses like Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or even Parmesan for a more complex flavor!

Step 4: Season and Add Garlic

Once your cheese has melted, stir in the 1 teaspoon of minced garlic. Garlic adds that savory punch we all love. Let it simmer for another minute or two to infuse the flavor into the sauce.

Finally, taste your sauce and add salt as needed. Every cheese has a different saltiness level, so be sure to taste before adding too much. You can also throw in a pinch of black pepper or some chili flakes if you like a bit of heat!

How to Serve Your Homemade Cheese Sauce

1. Dipping Sauce: Use it as a dip for fresh veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots. It’s also perfect with tortilla chips, pretzels, or even chicken tenders!
2. Drizzled on Veggies: Make those greens more exciting by drizzling this sauce over steamed or roasted veggies. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and green beans never tasted so good.
3. Mac and Cheese: This sauce makes the perfect base for homemade mac and cheese. Just stir in some cooked pasta (or zucchini noodles if you're low-carb), and voila—comfort food at its finest!
4. Baked Potatoes: Top a baked potato with this sauce, sprinkle on some bacon bits and chives, and you’ve got a loaded baked potato out of this world.
5. Cheese Soufflé or Casseroles: Mix this cheese sauce into a soufflé or casserole dish for a rich, cheesy flavor that takes your baked dishes to the next level.

Why This Cheese Sauce is a Must-Try

• Healthier: Using cauliflower and Greek yogurt makes this sauce lighter, but it still tastes just as creamy and rich as traditional cheese sauces.
• Quick and easy: You can make this up in about 15 minutes, making it the perfect last-minute addition to any meal.
• Kid-friendly: Even the pickiest of eaters will devour this sauce. They won’t even realize they’re eating cauliflower!
• Perfect for meal prep: You can make a big batch and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days. Just reheat it when you’re ready to use it, and it’ll be just as creamy as the day you made it.

Let Us Know What You Think!

Have you tried this recipe? We’d love to hear how it turned out! Share your thoughts, tips, or any delicious ways you used this cheese sauce in the comments below. Got a suggestion for a recipe you’d like to see next? Let us know!

Share the Cheesy Love!

If you know someone who can’t get enough cheese, share this Best Ever Homemade Cheese Sauce Recipe with them! Don’t forget to tag us on social media @ZulayKitchen and use the hashtag #kitchenhappiness to show us your cheesy creations.