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This Gluten Free Cheese Sauce is so simple to make and ready in 15 minutes. A good cheese sauce recipe is a staple to have in your basic repertoire – and it doesn’t get any easier (or cheesier!) than this! Perfect for dishes like mac and cheese or cauliflower cheese!
What you need to know at-a-glance:
- Why choose this recipe? This gluten free cheese sauce recipe uses a simple roux base to create a smooth, creamy, cheesy sauce. It’s so quick and easy!
- Top Tip: Don’t rush this and add all the milk in one go. Adding the liquid gradually is what ensures this gluten free cheese sauce is always lump-free.
- Flour of choice: This gluten free cheese sauce recipe will work with any supermarket gluten free plain flour blend.
- How can I use it? I love this recipe for making gluten free cauliflower cheese, gluten free mac and cheese, or in pie fillings and pasta bakes.
A delicious and easy Gluten Free Cheese Sauce is one of those essential, basic recipes that can solve any dinner dilemma.
Whether you’re adding it to a pie filling, whipping up a delicious gluten free cauliflower cheese or using it as a gluten free pasta sauce, it’s perfect to have on hand.
This homemade cheese sauce recipe can also be made in bulk and frozen – perfect for adding to any last-minute gluten free lasagne… or just pimping your fave veg!
I make this easy cheese sauce the same way I always have pre-coeliac disease diagnosis, just using gluten free flour, butter and milk to make a simple roux.
And if you want to take your cheese sauce to the next level, I’ve got some fun suggestions in the Ingredients section below!
Table of Contents
Ingredients and Substitutions
There’s a printable recipe card for this gluten free cheese sauce recipe below. But for the shopping list here are the main ingredients you’ll need.
- Butter: If you want to make this recipe dairy free, use a vegan margarine instead.
- Plain Gluten Free Flour: I use a plain gluten free flour blend like FREEE. Any supermarket blend should work – or a 1:1 gluten free flour in the US.
- Milk: I use either full-fat or semi-skimmed milk. Dairy free milk such as soya milk or gluten free oat milk will also work for a gluten free vegan white sauce.
- Cheese: I always use a sharp Cheddar cheese for maximum flavour. If you like, you could try use Stilton, Mexicana Cheese or even Gruyere for different flavours.
- Dijon Mustard: This is optional but I love the extra flavour it adds. Most dijon mustard is gluten free but always double check.
- Nutmeg: Don’t underestimate the power of a tiny bit of nutmeg to elevate your sauce!
How to Make Gluten Free Cheese Sauce
There’s a printable recipe card below with the method. But here are some step-by-step photos to show you how to make this cheese sauce gluten free.
Place a large saucepan on a low heat and melt the butter. Once melted, add the flour and use a whisk to mix together into a thick paste.
Pour in approximately 100ml of the milk and continue stirring until it forms a smooth, thick paste with no lumps.
Continue to add the milk, around 100ml at a time, stirring constantly. Each time, only add the next lot of milk when all the lumps are gone.
Once all the milk has been added, you should have a smooth, thick white sauce.
Continue to stir until it starts to bubble, simmer for 30 seconds, then add the cheese, nutmeg and a generous seasoning of salt and pepper.
Mix well until the cheese has melted and you have a smooth sauce, then remove from the heat and serve.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
TO STORE: This gluten free cheese sauce can be kept in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cool to room temperature then decant into a tub and refrigerate. Reheat to eat.
TO FREEZE: Cool the cheese sauce to room temperature, portion into tubs and freeze. You can reheat it from frozen or defrost overnight first if you prefer.
TOP TIP: This gluten free cheese sauce will thicken a lot when it cools. It should thin out a little when reheating. Make sure you stir it well and add a little milk if needed.
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Gluten Free Cheese Sauce Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 50 g unsalted butter
- 50 g gluten free plain flour
- 500 ml milk
- 0.25 tsp nutmeg, (ground)
- 1 tsp dijon mustard (heaped)
- 185 g mature Cheddar cheese, (grated)
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Place a large saucepan on a low heat and add the butter.
- Once melted, add the flour and use a whisk to mix together into a thick paste. Continue to cook for around 30 seconds to one minute, stirring constantly.
- Pour in approximately 100ml of the milk and continue stirring until it forms a smooth, thick paste with no lumps.
- Continue to add the milk, around 100ml at a time, stirring constantly. Each time, only add the next lot of milk when all the lumps are gone. Once all the milk has been added, you should have a smooth, thick white sauce.
- Continue to stir until it starts to bubble, simmer for 30 seconds, then add the cheese, nutmeg and a generous seasoning of salt and pepper.
- Mix well until the cheese has melted and you have a smooth sauce, then remove from the heat and serve.
Notes
- TOP TIP: Don’t rush and add all the milk in one go, this will make the sauce lumpy. Adding it gradually is what stops you getting clumps in the sauce.
- Storing: Any leftover gluten free cheese sauce can be portioned into tubs and either refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen. Reheat before serving.
- Reheating: When cooled this bechamel sauce will thick. To reheat, stir well when reheating in a pan (or stir regularly if microwaving) and add a little extra milk if you need to thin it out.
- Step-by-Step Photos: Check out the blog post above for step-by-step photos of this method if you find a visual aid helps.
- Like this Recipe? It would mean SO much to me if you could leave a 5* rating and a little comment if you make this cheese sauce and love it. It really helps support my blog and get the recipe out there to more people! xx
Nutrition
More Basic Gluten Free Recipes
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I love this gluten free cheese sauce recipe – and if you love it too, please leave a rating to let everyone know! x
Absolutely love your book .The recipies are easy to follow and it’s been a life saver for me.
Thank you Sandra, so glad you love it!! x