A gluten-free Velveeta cheese sauce that’s simple to make. This nacho cheese sauce is made with just a few ingredients. Serve on broccoli, dipped with nacho chips or fresh veggies.
Kids love creating this cheese sauce recipe on their own, enjoying it as a snack, used in a meal, or sharing it with their friends. Encourage your kids to follow the step-by-step instructions to have this cheese sauce ready to serve in just 10 minutes!
Cheese sauce with velveeta is great to keep stocked in the freezer as it freezes well and is super easy for kids to reheat quickly in the microwave. Check out Smoothie Freezer Packs, Freezer Muffins, and Freezer Pancakes for more kid-friendly freezer meals!
Not only is this a kid-approved recipe, it is also a favorite among adults. Keep this recipe in mind the next time you need a quick appetizer to serve at a potluck, birthday party, super bowl event or summer BBQ.
With minimal equipment and ingredients, this cheese sauce comes together so quick you won’t even believe it!
Table of Contents
Ways to Serve Cheese Sauce
- Tortilla Chips: A classic choice that pairs perfectly with a cheesy dip. Opt for a variety of tortilla chip flavors and shapes to add some variety.
- Fresh Vegetables: Serve an array of colorful and crunchy veggies like carrot sticks, cucumber slices, bell pepper strips, cherry tomatoes, and celery. The dip’s creaminess complements the crispness of the veggies.
- Toasted Bread: Slices of gluten-free baguette or Italian bread that have been toasted or grilled can be a great vessel for scooping up the dip.
- Cauliflower Florets: Roasted or steamed cauliflower florets are a healthier alternative that still provides a satisfying crunch and pairs well with the dip’s flavors.
- Mini Meatballs: Serve the dip with mini meatballs for a protein-rich option that adds heartiness to the snack.
- Jicama Sticks: Jicama is a crispy and refreshing root vegetable that adds a unique element to your dip spread.
- Roasted Potato Wedges: Roast potato wedges until crispy and serve them alongside the dip for a comforting and substantial pairing.
- Nachos: Create a mini nacho platter by topping tortilla chips with the dip, shredded cheese, jalapenos, and other toppings before baking until melted and bubbly.
- Rice Cakes or Rice Chips: These can be a lighter option that still provides a satisfying crunch for dipping.
- Crackers: An assortment of crackers, even flavored varieties, can complement the dip nicely.
- Fruit Slices: While less conventional, slices of apples or pears can offer a sweet and refreshing contrast to the savory dip.
Feel free to mix and match these options based on your preferences and dietary restrictions. The variety of choices ensures that your guests or family members can find something they love to dip into the cheesy goodness!
Ingredients
- 16 ounce Velveeta cheese
- 5 ounces diced tomatoes with chilies (about 1/2 of a can), drained
- 1/4 cup milk, plus more if needed
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon hot Mexican chili powder
How To Make
After you have gathered the equipment and ingredients, follow these step by step instructions. Printing the recipe card below is a kid-friendly way to help your kiddos follow the directions.
Gather the Velveeta cheese, rotel tomatoes, milk, cumin, garlic powder, and hot Mexican chili powder. Place them all in the saucepan and mix them together, creating a creamy and aromatic mixture.
Set the saucepan over medium heat and allow the ingredients to heat up. Stir the mixture regularly as it heats, ensuring that the flavors meld and the cheese melts smoothly. This process should take around 5 minutes, during which you’ll want to keep an eye on it and adjust the heat as necessary.
As the mixture cooks, you might notice that the consistency changes. If you prefer a thinner texture, you can incorporate additional milk to achieve your desired level of thickness. This step allows you to customize the dip to suit your personal taste and serving preferences.
This delightful dip pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides, such as tortilla chips for a classic touch, steamed broccoli for a healthier option, or fresh vegetables for a vibrant and nutritious addition. The versatility of the dip makes it suitable for various occasions and settings.
Tips and Tricks
- Cheese Cutting: When working with Velveeta or similar processed cheese, it can be easier to cut into smaller cubes if you chill it in the freezer for about 15-20 minutes. This prevents it from becoming too sticky and messy to cut.
- Flavor Adjustments: Feel free to adjust the spices according to your taste preferences. If you enjoy more heat, add extra hot Mexican chili powder, or if you prefer a milder flavor, you can reduce the amount.
- Texture Control: If the dip becomes too thick, gradually add a little more milk to achieve your desired consistency. Remember that the dip will thicken slightly as it cools, so factor that in as well.
- Stirring Technique: Stir the mixture gently and consistently as it cooks to prevent any burning or sticking to the bottom of the pan. A silicone spatula works well for this, as it can scrape the sides and bottom of the pan effectively.
- Melting Cheese: When melting cheese, low and slow is the key. Avoid using high heat, as it can cause the cheese to become grainy or separate. Medium heat and patience will yield a smooth, creamy result.
- Garnish Options: Consider garnishing the dip with chopped fresh cilantro, diced green onions, or a dollop of sour cream to add an extra layer of flavor and visual appeal.
Experiment: Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese, spices, or add-ins like cooked ground meat or beans to create your unique twist on the recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Reheat in a microwave safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until warm. Encourage kids to ask for help or use hot pads to remove the bowl from the microwave.
This is a great recipe to heat and pack in a thermos to send to school in a lunchbox. Kids can pack their tortilla chips or veggies and enjoy nachos or cheesy vegetables during lunch.
This recipe will last up to 5 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer. If freezing, we recommend freezing individual portions in microwave and freezer safe bowls that can easily be reheated.
Storage Instructions
Storing the prepared dip is simple and convenient. If you have leftovers, allow the dip to cool to room temperature before proceeding. Transfer any remaining dip to an airtight container, ensuring a tight seal to prevent air exposure. Refrigerate the container promptly, placing it in the coldest part of your refrigerator. This will help maintain the dip’s freshness and flavor.
For longer-term storage, you can freeze the dip for future enjoyment. First, allow the dip to cool completely in the refrigerator. Once cooled, transfer the dip to a freezer-safe container or resealable freezer bag. Squeeze out any excess air before sealing to minimize freezer burn. Remember to label the container or bag with the date of preparation.
To thaw frozen dip, move the container from the freezer to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw overnight. Once thawed, you may need to give the dip a gentle stir to recombine any separated ingredients. When reheating, use a stovetop or microwave on low to medium heat to prevent overcooking or curdling.
More Kid-Friendly Recipes
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
Velveeta Cheese Sauce
Equipment
- medium-sized sauce pan
Ingredients
- 16 ounce velveeta cheese ✅
- 5 ounces diced tomatoes with chilies (about 1/2 of a can), drianed ✅
- 1/4 cup milk, plus more if needed
- 2 teaspoons cumin ✅
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder ✅
- 1 teaspoon hot Mexican chili powder ✅
Instructions
- Combine the ingredients. In a medium sized sauce pan combine the Velveeta, rotel tomatoes, milk, cumin, garlic powder, and hot Mexican chili powder.
- ⭐️ Cook over medium heat. Heat over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring as needed. Use additional milk to thin to the desired consistency you prefer.
- Serve hot. Serve with tortilla chips, steamed broccoli, or fresh veggies. Freezes well.
Notes
- Reheat in a microwave safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until warm. Encourage kids to ask for help or use hot pads to remove the bowl from the microwave.
- This recipe will last up to 5 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer. If freezing, we recommend freezing individual portions in microwave and freezer-safe bowls that can easily be reheated.
Nutrition
If you enjoyed these recipes make sure to leave a comment and a star rating below!
Then follow us on social media and tag #createkidsclub if you make the recipe. We love seeing what you come up with!
m101p says
Very nice
Linda says
Can this be made and kept warm in a crockpot?
Jodi Danen, RDN says
Hi Linda! Yes, you can keep it warm in a crockpot. You may need to stir it occasionally. I hope you enjoy!