This quick and easy keto cheese sauce is both creamy and delicious... and only uses three ingredients! Dress up steamed broccoli, dip your favorite low-carb chips, or top your tacos with it.
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You’ve heard the expression that the dressing makes the salad? Well, this sauce makes the veggies! And the chips and the beef and the… Well, you get the point.
Butter is a keto staple on steamed veggies and creamy ranch dip is perfect for your fresh, crispy vegetable sticks. You might have even tried a quick and easy hollandaise sauce recipe before.
But, sometimes you just want something savory and decadent; that’s when this creamy keto cheese sauce becomes your BFF. After all, everything tastes better with queso dip!
Most traditional cheese sauce recipes use flour as a thickener making them off-limits for people on certain diets or lifestyles. (low-carb, keto, Atkins, Banting, gluten-free) This creamy cheddar sauce has no thickening agents, however, and is perfect for all of those ways of eating!
This easy low-carb cheese sauce is about to become the best thing to hit your plate since you started cutting the carbs. And, if you have kids, they’ll love it, too!
Ingredients Needed For Keto Cheese Sauce
Now for one of the best parts: this keto cheese sauce only has three ingredients!
While there are other keto recipes for cheddar cheese sauce, they call for so many more ingredients and take a lot longer. This one tastes so good, why would you make life harder?
Cheese
Be creative and use a different kind of cheese each time. If you want a traditional cheese sauce, use shredded cheddar cheese.
For a spicier cheese sauce, use shredded pepper jack or buy some jalapeno cheddar cheese.
Gruyere melts beautifully and has a very distinct flavor that is popular for people who enjoy French onion soup.
Heavy Whipping Cream
This is what makes the sauce really creamy and rich. Use full-fat heavy whipping cream for the best results.
Dijon Mustard
I like the zest that dijon mustard gives the sauce. If you want a spicier sauce, then use spicy brown mustard instead.
Please note: Check out the recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients used to make this low-carb recipe.
Quick Tips:
- It isn't necessary to grate the cheese, but I prefer to because it helps the cheese melt faster.
- Grate your cheese at home instead of buying pre-shredded cheese. The bags of pre-shredded cheese have extra ingredients (like starches) added to them.
- When in doubt, use the lower heat. If the stove or pan is too hot, you could scorch the cheese.
How To Make Keto Cheese Sauce
This low carb, high fat (LCHF) treat is ridiculously simple to make. All of the exact steps are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
First, here are some extra tips for you!
Grate Your Own Cheese
You could just chop your brick of cheddar cheese, but it melts much more quickly if you grate it ahead of time. Pre-shredded cheese won’t give it the same flavor/consistency/health as using your own brick. So, stick with fresh cheddar and not pre-processed.
Heat the Ingredients On The Stove
All you do is heat your cream with the mustard and cheese in it, stirring the ingredients over medium-high heat.
Stir it constantly and remove it from the heat as soon as it is all melted.
And that is how you make easy keto friendly cheddar cheese sauce!
What To Serve With Creamy Low-Carb Cheddar Sauce
The possibilities are truly endless, and the carb count is only 1 gram per serving.
This sauce is amazing over broccoli or cauliflower. If your kids resist the vegetables you serve, try topping them with melty cheddar sauce next time!
Pour it over your favorite low-carb noodles or riced cauliflower for a keto mac and cheese alternative. Consider topping it with some diced tomatoes and jalapenos for a Tex Mex inspired side dish.
Looking for inspiration to branch out from your normal vegetable choices? Check out this list of vegetables for a keto diet. Keto and low-carb diets don’t have to be boring!
This keto cheese sauce is also delicious drizzled on top of Crock Pot tacos or a taco salad.
To enjoy your creamy keto cheese sauce as an appetizer, pair it with an assortment of sliced low carb vegetables. It goes well with homemade keto chips, ProTings chips, and pork rinds too.
The dip is perfect for making dippers into a quick cheesy snack if you don't have time to make keto mozzarella sticks.
Frequently Asked Questions About Keto Cheese Sauce
Before we get to the recipe at the bottom of this post, here are some questions that people often ask me about it.
How do you store cheese sauce?
If you make this keto cheese sauce recipe ahead of time, store it in an airtight container (like a mason jar). It will keep for up to a week in your fridge.
How do you reheat homemade cheese sauce?
To reheat it, you can use the stovetop or your microwave.
If you’re going to microwave your low-carb cheese dip, add a few drops of cream first. Then, heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until you reach your desired temperature.
If you heat it on the stovetop, adding a few drops of fresh cream is still a good idea. Be sure to stir constantly so it doesn’t scorch!
Other Low Carb Recipes To Try
Once you discover how simple it is to make your own low-carb sauces, you may want to try a few more. Here are some of my favorite recipes:
- Homemade Low Carb Ketchup tastes amazing on burgers or as a dip for your keto-friendly onion rings.
- Dill Mustard Sauce tastes perfect as a dip for vegetables or on a lettuce wrap.
- Keto Barbecue Sauce is the best thing ever with some chicken wings.
- Roasted Garlic Cream Sauce is another fantastic topping for steamed broccoli or cauliflower.
- Keto Worcestershire Sauce is low in sodium and only takes 5 minutes to whip together.
Follow us on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, and INSTAGRAM for even more tasty keto-friendly recipes!
Recipe
Creamy Keto Cheese Sauce
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese grated
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in medium saucepan.
- Stir over medium to medium high heat until all cheese is melted.
Notes
Low Carb Sweeteners | Keto Sweetener Conversion Chart
Nutrition
Additional Info
Notes on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Copyright
© LowCarbYum.com - Unauthorized use of this material without written permission is strictly prohibited unless for personal offline purposes. Single photos may be used, provided that full credit is given to LowCarbYum.com along with a link back to the original content.
First published on January 2, 2012. Post updated on April 29, 2021, with enhanced images and additional recipe information.
Mary
Do you have a specific brand of cheddar cheese you use? When I use store brands like from Kroger, even if I shred it myself, the cheese doesn't seem to melt properly. It gets clumpy instead. I haven't tried your recipe yet, but I was wondering if you had this problem. Thanks!
Lisa MarcAurele
I've used both pre-shredded and manually shredded without issue. Some are store brands and others are major brands like Cabot and Sargento. You could try upping the heat a little and adding in more cream to help the cheese melt better.
Karen L
Lisa, this looks yummy. I feel that a lot of people, like me, read and use your recipes a lot but never leave reviews. I want to thank you for all the great work you do for those of us trying to get away from the SAD American diet! Please don't stop!
Lisa MarcAurele
Thanks so much for writing in Karen! I appreciate the feedback.
Sealey
I used cream cheese and parmesan cheese in my cream to make this Easy cheese sauce (since I had only those options on hand) on a day I needed to serve steamed broccoli but wanted it a little more special.
My husband says that he thinks this was better than it would have been using cheddar! Score!
susan black
What is a serving size on which the nutritional breakdown is provided?
Lisa MarcAurele
I estimated about 2 tablespoons.
Yang
So easy to make! What a great idea to serve with veggies.
Jennifer Fisher
Cream and cheese . .I'm in! I mean I'm LITERALLY in . . jumping in that bowl of delicious looking cheese sauce! Seriously . . . what an easy "upgrade" to pour on everaaaaarything!
Jean Choi
OMG, yum. Love how simple but delicious this is!
Megan Stevens
The Dijon in this is so clever and delicious!
paleoglutenfreeguy
Wait, it's that easy? I had no idea cheese sauce could be so simple. And your ideas to use this with tortilla chips or broccoli are perfect and now I really, really want some.
Katherine | Love In My Oven
I would literally put this cheese sauce ALL over everything!! I love cheese sauce, especially with roasted veggies. Such a treat!
Raia Todd
So easy and creamy! Perfect to step veggie sides up a notch. 🙂
Joni Gomes
Finally an easy cheese sauce!!! Loved the addition of dijon mustard, such a great idea!!
ChihYu
How decadent and yet good for you! I want to pour it over everything!
Terri Struthers
I am with you regarding the amount of garlic. You can never have tooooo much lol!!
Just found you on Pinterest last eve. I just started Keto yest. Will be referring to your recipes. They look great.
Re: the Garlic Sauce. Do you really need all of that liquid (broth) ?
Seems like it would be thicker without so much but apparently that is what makes it Saucy lol.
Thanks
Terri
Lisa MarcAurele
You could cut back on the liquid or you can add in a thickener. It would certainly be more garlicky with less broth.
Marilyn
Medium high heat is way too high!
Lisa MarcAurele
Not for my cooktop, but it might be on other stoves. I can make a note of that.
John L.
Have made this several times now with excellent results. Last night used 6 oz shredded cheddar and sauce had a near perfect consistency. Thanks for a great, simple recipe.
Rebecca
New to Keto. Love this sauce. Easy to make and very tasty. Thank you!
Lisa MarcAurele
Glad you enjoy the cheese sauce!
Terrie Erhardt
Could you use shredded cheese instead of grating a block of cheese?
Lisa MarcAurele
Of course! I just like to freshly grate so there isn't any anti-caking ingredients in it (which tend to be in the carby side).
Sharon Balas
Delicious! Wanted it a little thicker so just reduced it by cooking a few minutes more. A keeper.
Lisa
Thanks for writing in to let us know how it worked out!
Dee
I'm going to use this as the sauce for "mac" and cheese, using sliced hard boiled egg whites for the "mac." Wish me luck.
Lisa
Using egg whites as pasta replacement sounds interesting. I've made noodles using both yolks and whites.
Debbie
Does this make well in the microwave instead of melting in a pan?
Lisa
Melting in the microwave also works.
Linda Smith
Recipe calls for heavy cream. I found Heavy whipping cream, is that the same?
Lisa
It's close enough. Whipping cream just has a little less fat.
Linda Scott
will the left overs keep in the fridge for a few days? I am by my self. my experience with cheese sauces is that when you 1/2 recipe it usually doesn't work
Lisa
It will keep in the fridge. If it gets too thick when reheated, you can add a little low carb milk or cream.
Rebecca
I could drink this sauce, it’s so good!
Susan Mitchell
How much is the amount per serving. I came up with 1.5 ounces. Is that correct? I am counting carbs on a computer program, and need to be able to list the amount. Thank you, Susan Mitchell
Lisa
It's about a tablespoon or two.
Angela
So good! I cooked it longer to thicken it up and it was amazing! Will use this recipe from now on!! I love all your recipes!
Lisa
Thanks Angela!
Mike McInerney
So easy to make and tastes great. A life saver for someone like me on a low carb regime who loves all sauces. I wonder if this will freeze well?
Lisa
Cheese sauce is usually fine to freeze.
Susan Price
I want to try this for sure. I am just curious about one thing. In the recipe it says total net carbs 7 grams but in the nutrition information it says 0.7 grams. Which one is correct? Thank you.
Lisa
It's about 7 grams carbs in the whole recipe. I updated the nutritional data which rounds each serving carb to 1g.
Michele Isaacs
I’m bringing this to my in-laws on thanksgiving because I’m diabetic and if I want something low carb with my turkey I’m going to have to bring it myself.
Lisa
That's pretty much how it is at my in-laws too. However, when I join my family, it's gluten-free with some low carb choices.
Pam
This was tasty, but not thick enough for our taste. Thickening, of course, adds carbs. I used 1/2 tbsp of cornstarch mixed in 1 tbsp of water. Added 4carbs to the full recipe of one cup, but IMHO improved the consistency
Lisa
You can also use low carb thickeners: xanthan gum, guar gum, glucomannan.
Noreen McPhail
Zanthum gum is perfect for thickeing
Katherine costantino
Very easy and really good will make again
Lisa
Thanks for giving it a try and letting us know how it worked out!
Jerry Ko | Simply Good Eating
Happy New Years! Nice and simple cheese sauce 🙂