If you're a fan of Taco Bell's famous cheese sauce, you will love this Homemade Taco Bell Cheese Recipe! This copycat recipe is incredibly easy to make and delivers a delicious, creamy cheese sauce that will elevate your nachos, burritos, or any dish you choose to smother it on.
I love that it's made with real cheese and cream and no Velveeta, Cheez Whiz or other heavily processed ingredients! This is the best nacho cheese dip to accompany tortilla chips! My favorite way to enjoy it is with Copycat Taco Bell Nacho Fries! If you love delicious seasoned fries and dips try my Parmesan Truffle Fries and Truffle Aioli!
I enjoy making this copycat Taco Bell cheese recipe at home for my family as we are all obsessed with Mexican food! Whether it be tacos, nacho chips, rice, and bean bowls we love loading our meals with all the yummy toppings, like sour cream, guac, hot sauce, refried beans, and of course, this cheese sauce is the best part, and makes everything even more irresistible!
It's also great when we are entertaining as an appetizer or as part of a nacho or taco bar! You can even make it on short notice as it's such an easy recipe! Guests absolutely love it for dunking nachos or french fries or as a garnish on tacos and burritos!
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This copycat Taco Bell Cheese sauce recipe uses simple ingredients butter, cream, sharp cheddar cheese, and taco seasoning!
- This homemade nacho cheese sauce version allows you to control the quality of ingredients and customize the taste to your liking. I use real ingredients in this recipe making it cleaner and healthier than the original!
- This cheese sauce is quick and easy. In just a few simple steps – melting the butter and cornstarch, adding the heavy cream, and then stirring in the cheese and taco seasoning – you'll have a velvety, delicious easy copycat recipe for Taco Bell cheese sauce to enjoy in the comfort of your own home!
Ingredient Notes
- Cornstarch: This helps to thicken the cheese sauce.
- Butter: Adds richness and flavor to the sauce. I use unsalted butter. You can always season the sauce a little more If desired when it's cooked.
- Heavy whipping cream: Gives the sauce a creamy texture.
- Freshly Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese: The star ingredient that gives the sauce its REAL cheesy flavor. No Velveeta or Cheez Whiz like many other copycat recipes use!
- Taco Seasoning: Adds a hint of spice and flavor to the sauce.
- Cayenne pepper (optional): For an extra kick of heat.
How to Make this Taco Bell Cheese Recipe
- Add butter and cornstarch to a small saucepan.
- Melt until smooth on medium-low heat.
- Add in cream and heat until small bubbles appear.
- Lower heat, add cheddar and let the cheese melt.
- Mix until smooth and creamy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Taco Bell lists the following ingredients on its website: Nonfat milk, cheese whey, water, vegetable oil (canola oil, soybean oil), modified food starch, maltodextrin, natural flavors, salt, dipotassium phosphate, jalapeno puree, vinegar, lactic acid, cellulose gum, potassium citrate, sodium stearoyl lactylate, citric acid, annatto and oleoresin paprika (VC). Contains: Milk [certified vegetarian].
It is so simple to make a copycat version of the cheese sauce at home! Simply melt butter with cornstarch on medium heat in a small saucepan.
Add heavy cream and stir together with the cornstarch butter mixture.
Reduce heat to low and then add the cheese and taco seasoning.
Stir until smooth and combined about 5 minutes. Keep warm until ready to serve.
No, it is not. It contains wheat according to Taco Bell's allergen information.
If you would like to make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the cornstarch with tapioca flour.
Expert Tips
- For the best results, use freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese instead of pre-shredded for a smoother, creamier texture.
- Make sure to continuously stir the sauce while it cooks to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the saucepan or burning.
- If you're looking for an extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to your cheese sauce to enhance the flavor.
Recipe Variations:
- Add diced jalapenos, jalapeño juice or green chilies for extra spice.
- Use this cheese sauce as a base for a queso dip by adding diced tomatoes, green onions, and ground beef.
Recipe Substitutions:
- Substitute the cheddar cheese for a different type of cheese, such as Colby jack or pepper jack cheese. You can also use American cheese or a mix of cheddar and cream cheese if you prefer.
- Use half-and-half or whole milk instead of heavy cream for a lighter version of the sauce.
- Replace the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of tapioca flour for a gluten-free version.
Storage Tips:
- Store leftover cheese sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Reheat the sauce in the microwave in 30-second increments or on the stove until heated through. You can add a little more milk or cream to thin if necessary.
Recipe
Easy Taco Bell Cheese Recipe (Copycat)
Equipment
- grater
- Small saucepan
- Wooden Spoon
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese freshly grated
- ½ teaspoon taco seasoning
- *optional pinch cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Using a small saucepan, melt butter and cornstarch together over medium heat.
- Add heavy cream to the mixture and stir until small bubbles start to appear.
- Reduce the heat to low, then add cheese and taco seasoning.
- Stir the mixture until it becomes smooth and well-combined, which should take about 5 minutes. Keep the cheese sauce warm until you're ready to serve.
Notes
expert tips
- For the best results, use freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese instead of pre-shredded for a smoother, creamier texture.
- Make sure to continuously stir the sauce while it cooks to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the saucepan or burning.
- If you're looking for an extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to your cheese sauce to enhance the flavor.
Charlotte Singh-Dhanraj says
Hi Marcy! My kids love it too and one of them doesn't even like cheese lol. So happy you enjoyed!
Wayne Bradley Pinto says
Can’t wait to make this this weekend, nacho fries and movie night!!!!
Charlotte Singh-Dhanraj says
Yessss! Perfect for movie night! I hope you enjoy!