Keto Cheese Sauce

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5 from 111 votes
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These keto cheese sauce is so rich, smooth, and creamy, you won’t believe it needs just 4 ingredients! Ready in minutes, it’s perfect for nachos, mac and cheese, or even a warm dip. 2 grams net carbs per serving. 

keto cheese sauce

Keto Cheese Sauce

When it comes to keto condiments and sauces, my favorite recipes to make are salsa, ketchup, and this keto cheese sauce. 

If there is one food that I could eat for the rest of my life, it would be cheese. Growing up, it was a staple in my household and I’m pretty sure I ate some form of it every single day. Whether it was in an omelet for breakfast, in a sandwich for lunch, or mixed through pasta for dinner, it had a very strong presence.

Since going keto, I’ve thanked my lucky stars that cheese is keto friendly. I’m also beyond thankful that I tolerate dairy very well, otherwise I’d be in for quite a lifestyle change. While my cheese consumption has definitely increased, I’ve tried to branch out in the ways i enjoy it. While I do it in staples like lasagnas and pizzas, my favorite way to use it is in a cheese sauce. 

I’ve been meaning to share a keto cheese sauce recipe for quite some time. It’s perfect on its own, drizzled over pasta, for a keto mac and cheese, or even my favorite nachos! I love how it needs just 4 ingredients and is never gritty. 

No eggs and no flour are needed, but you’d never tell. The texture is thick, rich, smooth, and extra creamy. It’s cheesy and slightly buttery, and easily customizable to flavor it in a plethora of ways. 

I had some friends over for a Mexican night and served this cheese sauce over some nachos and they could NOT believe it was low carb- They thought it had to have some flour or grains mixed in!

How do you make a keto cheese sauce? 

The Ingredients

  • Cream cheese– Full fat cream cheese that comes from a block, NOT from a spread. The latter often has stabilizers and water added to it to make it spreadable, which isn’t necessary for this recipe. 
  • Butter– Unsalted butter or dairy free butter. 
  • Heavy cream– Also known as thickened cream or double cream. 
  • Shredded cheese– I used cheddar cheese, but you can also use a more flavorful one, like Monterey Jack or American. 
  • Salt and pepper– To taste. If you use salted butter, omit the salt completely. 
  • Spices of choice– Nutmeg, cayenne pepper, or even smoked paprika are all fantastic flavor additions. 

The Instructions

Start by chopping your cream cheese and butter into smaller pieces, so that they can melt easier. Next, add it to a saucepan, along with the heavy cream, and place it over low heat. Let the cream cheese and butter melt, before gently whisking it until smooth. Add the shredded cheese and spices and continue to whisk until all the cheese has melted. Remove the saucepan from the heat.

Now, transfer the cheese sauce into a mixing bowl and either use immediately or allow it to reach room temperature, before storing away. 

low carb cheese sauce

Tips to make the best low carb cheese sauce

  • Keep the heat on low and stir regularly. This ensures each element melts completely, and you won’t be left with any clumps or chunks throughout.
  • When left unstirred, the sauce will achieve a slightly thin layer of film on top. Simply mix it several times and it should be back to smooth! 
  • For a nachos cheese sauce, use American cheese and add 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper to it, for some added kick.

Storing and freezing cheese sauce

  • To store: Cheese sauce can be stored in the refrigerator, completely covered, for up to 1 week. 
  • To freeze: Place leftovers in a sealable container and store it in the freezer for up to 6 months. 
  • Reheating: Either microwave the sauce for 30-45 seconds or reheat in another small saucepan. 

cheese sauce

What to serve cheese sauce with

keto cheese sauce

Keto Cheese Sauce

5 from 111 votes
This keto cheese sauce is so thick, rich, and creamy, you won't believe it is low carb! Made with 4 ingredients, it's perfect for nachos, mac and cheese, and even a dip for chips!
Servings: 8 servings
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Total: 10 minutes

Ingredients  

  • 1 cup cream cheese chopped
  • 1/4 cup butter chopped
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup shredded cheese cheddar or similar * See notes
  • 1 teaspoon salt to taste
  • 1 teaspoon pepper to taste

Instructions 

  • Add the chopped cream cheese, butter, and heavy cream into a small saucepan and place over low heat. Once the cream cheese and butter begin to melt, gently whisk it until smooth. Add the shredded cheese, salt, and pepper, and gently whisk until the cheese has melted.
  • Remove from the heat and transfer into a bowl and serve immediately, or allow it to reach room temperature.

Notes

* Any block cheese can be used, just shred it finely prior to adding it in. 
This cheese sauce can be used as a dip or added to nachos, mac and cheese, or even a sandwich filling. 
TO STORE: Cheese sauce can be stored in the refrigerator, completely covered, for up to 1 week. 
TO FREEZE: Place leftovers in a sealable container and store it in the freezer for up to 6 months. 
TO REHEAT: Either microwave the sauce for 30-45 seconds or reheat in another small saucepan. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 225kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 5gFat: 22gSodium: 524mgPotassium: 62mgFiber: 1gVitamin A: 800IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 108mgIron: 1mgNET CARBS: 1g
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

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Comments

  1. Tried this cheese sauce on keto pasta, DELICIOUS. The only issue we had is it was too salty (and I love salt). Next time I make it will use 1/2 teaspoon instead of a whole.

  2. 5 stars
    I made this for mac and cheese tonight. It was amazing. The best I have tried by far. Thank you for sharing.

  3. 5 stars
    I made this tonight for mac and cheese. It was amazing. The best I ever made.

    Thank you for sharing:)

  4. Yummy perfect sauce for cauliflower and many other dishes. I love it. Great with my scallops. Thank you

  5. 5 stars
    This is the easiest, most fool-proof cheese sauce! This recipe is the perfect amount to make cauliflower au gratin with one whole head of cauliflower. I will use this recipe over and over again. Thank you!

  6. 5 stars
    I have a better keto cheese sauce. Mayonnaise (good mayo), lemon juice, and cheddar cheese. Low carb and really yummy! It’s the best over steamed veggies.

  7. 5 stars
    Made this tonight and used it as a topping on steamed broccoli. My kids and husband LOVED it! The kids kept asking for more broccoli and cheese!
    My sauce got pretty thick, but I just used some boxed chicken broth to get it to my desired consistency.
    I can’t wait to see how the leftovers reheat.

  8. 5 stars
    Sounds delicious. Please clarify the cream. We don’t have double cream at least nothing named that. We have heavy whipping cream which is 35% cream. Is that the same? You suggest using it on mac and cheese. Keto macaroni? what’s that? or do you use a substitute? Thank you.

  9. Will be making this soon can i use vegan cream cheese butter cheese and coconut cream as am a vegan butter and ghee makes me vomit will dm you if i make this and let you know how it goes Thanks Ramya