If you adore rich, cheesy flavors with a hint of garlic, this Creamy Cheddar Garlic Sauce is about to become your new best friend. It's a quick, straightforward recipe that transforms everyday meals into something special, perfect for drizzling over vegetables or mixing into pasta.
Start by melting the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once it's melted, toss in the minced garlic and let it sauté for about a minute. You'll know it's ready when your kitchen starts to smell incredible.
Next, sprinkle in the flour and stir constantly. Cook this mixture for about two minutes until it turns a lovely golden color. This step helps eliminate any raw flour taste, so don't rush it.
Now, gradually whisk in the milk. The key here is to whisk continuously to avoid lumps. Keep stirring until the mixture thickens, which should take around three minutes.
Once thickened, reduce the heat to low and add your shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth. This is where the magic happens!
Finally, season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste. Give it a final stir, remove from heat, and your creamy cheddar garlic sauce is ready to enjoy.
This sauce is fantastic over steamed broccoli or cauliflower for a cheesy vegetable side. It's also a great addition to baked potatoes or as a luscious topping for grilled chicken. For pasta lovers, toss it with cooked pasta for a simple, comforting meal.
Butter is the base that gives our sauce a rich flavor and silky texture. Next, we have garlic, which adds a fragrant, savory depth. All-purpose flour helps to thicken the sauce, creating that creamy consistency we love. Whole milk provides the liquid foundation while keeping things smooth and luscious. Then, of course, there's the star: shredded cheddar cheese, which melts beautifully to create the signature cheesy flavor. Finally, we have salt and black pepper to enhance all the other flavors.