Easy Taco Bell Nacho Cheese Sauce Recipe

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I still remember the first time I tasted the delicious Taco Bell Nacho cheese sauce. I was on a late-night drive-thru run with my friends, and we were extremely hungry after a long day. We stopped at Taco Bells to quell the hunger pangs.

The creamy sauce’s cheesy goodness became an instant highlight of our meal. I couldn’t stop craving it for weeks, so I decided to try making it at home.

This sauce is a game-changer. It is not just about recreating that iconic taste of Taco Bell; it’s about bringing the joy of all the late-night cravings into my home. With only a few handfuls of ingredients, like cheddar cheese, milk, and spices, I was able to duplicate a sauce that was as delicious as the original.

The beauty of this sauce lies in its creamy goodness. The unique combination of cheese and tangy spices creates a velvety sauce that is so rich. It serves as a perfect companion for my nachos and fries or even when I feel like dipping pretzels into them. The balance of flavors is bang on.

This sauce is cheesy without being overwhelming. It has the correct amount of tang. So, keep reading if you want to enjoy that delicious kick of Taco Bell nacho cheese sauce from the comfort of your home.

What's In The Post

Equipments Required

Saucepan: I use a medium-sized saucepan to melt the cheese and combine the ingredients.
Mixing Bowl: I suggest you keep a medium-sized mixing bowl to mix all the ingredients.
Whisk: I keep a whisk handy to stir the sauce and ensure it has a smooth, lump-free texture.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: You will need these to get the measurements of the ingredients right.
Cheese Grater: Freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly than pre-shredded varieties, so I keep a cheese grater on hand to make my sauce creamier.
Heat-Proof Spatula: I recommend using a heat-proof spatula or spoon to stir the sauce without risking burns from high heat or scraping the bottom of the pan.

Taco Bell Nacho Cheese Sauce Ingredients And Substitutions

Note: The ingredients that I have mentioned below will help you serve 2 people. However, you can adjust the amount of ingredients according to the number of people you wish to serve.

½ Cup Cheddar Cheese: Monterey Jack, Colby Cheshire, or American cheese can also be used.
1 Teaspoon Unsalted Butter
½ Cup Cream Cheese: When cream cheese is unavailable, I use Ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, or mascarpone as alternatives.
2 Teaspoons Worcestershire sauce: If you’re out of Worcestershire sauce, you can substitute reduced balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, or oyster sauce.
2 Teaspoons Hot Sauce: If you don’t have hot sauce in your pantry, I recommend using Tabasco, cayenne pepper, or paprika.

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation time	Cooking time	Total time
2 minutes	3 minutes	5 minutes

How To Make Taco Bell Nacho Cheese Sauce At Home

Take a saucepan and fill it with water. Heat the water until it is foaming with bubbles.
Now, place a glass bowl over the saucepan, add cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and unsalted butter, and begin to mix the ingredients. Melt the cheese over low heat to prevent it from separating or becoming grainy. High heat can cause the fat to separate from the cheese, leading to a less smooth sauce.
When the cheese completely melts, remove the glass bowl from the saucepan and add a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce.
Stir well, and your cheesy creamy Taco Bell cheese sauce is ready.

Expert Tips That I Recommend

I like to add a small amount of mustard powder to my sauce. It enhances the flavor profile and brings a subtle tang to the sauce that perfectly complements the cheese.
I also like to add a pinch of garlic powder to add depth to my sauce. It brings on board a mild umami flavor without overpowering the flavors.
I also once tried adding a small pinch of nutmeg to the sauce to give a subtle twist to the sauce. Since then, it has become my secret ingredient in elevating the cheese sauce.
To brighten up the flavors, I add a small amount of lemon juice. The lemons cut through the richness of the sauce, making it more vibrant.

FAQs About Taco Bell Nacho Cheese Sauce

Why is this cheese sauce lumpy?

Your cheese sauce can become lumpy if you overheat the cheese or use a pre-shredded cheese. To fix this, make sure to melt the cheese over low heat and stir constantly. If the cheese is still lumpy, then you can blend the sauce with an immersion blender to smooth it out.

How can you make this sauce thicker?

You can thicken your sauce by adding a teaspoon of cornstarch or flour mixed with milk.

How can you make this sauce more spicy?

To make this sauce spicier, you can increase the amount of hot sauce or add a pinch of cayenne pepper. Adding finely chopped jalapenos can also boost the spiciness.

What can be done if the sauce is too salty?

You can add a bit of milk, cream, pinch of sugar, or lemon juice to mellow down the salty taste.

How can you make this sauce more creamy?

To make this sauce more creamy, add a splash of cream, milk, sour cream, or Greek yogurt.

Can I make the sauce without a double boiler?

Yes, you can definitely make this nacho cheese sauce without a double boiler. You must only heat a heavy-bottomed saucepan on low heat and melt the cheese and other ingredients slowly while stirring constantly to prevent separation and burning.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

Taco Bell nacho cheese sauce is not particularly healthy. It is typically high in calories, fat and sodium as it has a high amount of cheese and butter. Although it is very delicious, it is best enjoyed in moderation as a part of your balanced diet.

I have mentioned the breakdown of nutritional information below for your reference.

Calories	674 kcal
Carbohydrates	10g
Protein	20g
Fat	62g
Saturated fat	36 g
Polyunsaturated fat	3g
Monounsaturated fat	15g
Trans fat	0.2g
Cholesterol	182 mg
Sodium	1094mg
Potassium	302mg
Fibre	0.02g
Sugar	6 g
Vitamin A	2238 IU
Vitamin C	8mg
Calcium	524 mg
Iron	1mg

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Gluten-Free: To serve this sauce to my father, who is gluten intolerant, I made him a gluten-free version. For that, I used sriracha instead of hot sauce and replaced Worcestershire sauce with gluten-free Worcestershire sauce from brands like Lea & Perrins. You can also make your own Worcestershire sauce at home by mixing vinegar, tamari (gluten-free soy sauce and spices like black pepper, ground mustard, paprika, cayenne pepper, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Keto-Friendly: To make this sauce keto-friendly, I switch unsalted butter with coconut oil and Worcestershire sauce with a homemade sauce by combining tamari, coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, and spices.
Vegan: To make a vegan version of this sauce, I replace cheddar cheese with vegan cheddar cheese made from nuts and soy. Additionally, I use plant-based vegan butter or coconut oil instead of unsalted butter and vegan cream cheese instead of regular cream cheese. You can also use cashew cream as a dairy-free alternative. For the Worcestershire sauce, I use Annie’s Worcestershire.
Low-Sodium: For a low-sodium version, I use Swiss cheese in place of cheddar cheese, low-sodium butter, olive oil instead of unsalted butter, and Greek yogurt in place of cream cheese. Additionally, I also use it for homemade Worcestershire. You can also use a reduced sodium version, which is easily available on the market. For the hot sauce, I opted for brands like Frank’s Red Hot. You can also make a homemade hot sauce by mixing fresh chili peppers, vinegar, and some spices without added salt.

Storing This Sauce

Refrigerator: To store this sauce in the refrigerator, I first let it cool down to room temperature. Then, I transfer it to an airtight container to prevent moisture and other odors from affecting it. Glass jars or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids also work well. Then I store it in the refrigerator, which stays fresh for up to 7 days.
Freezing: If I wish to store this sauce for longer, I prefer freezing it. For that, I first make sure that the sauce is completely cool. Then, I divide the sauce into smaller portions and transfer them into freezer-safe bags or airtight containers. I make sure to remove the excess air from the bags or containers to prevent freezer burns. Then, I store them in the freezer, where they stay safe for up to 2-3 months.

What To Serve With This Recipe

Whenever I make this homemade nacho cheese sauce, I serve it with a platter of crispy tortilla chips and fresh nachos. I also like to pair it with this sauce, onion rings, French fries, and potato bites.

Printable Version

More Recipes That You Can Try

Taco Bell Mexican pizza — Taco Bell Mexican Pizza

Homemade copycat tostada — Taco Bell Mexican Pizza

Conclusion

With creamy and bold flavors, this delicious homemade Taco Bell nacho cheese sauce is sure to be a hit. You can enjoy it with nachos or as a dipping for fried veggies. Moreover, I like to customize it with my favorite pairings to bring a hint of Taco Bell’s iconic flavor into my kitchen.

Thus, I recommend you to give it a try. I am pretty sure it would elevate your snack game and be a people pleaser in your next dining invitation. Till then, goodbye and happy cooking.