We all want cheese sauce with nachos, fries, and baked vegetables. But the Santa Maria Pail Cheese sauce is even better than it. It’s rich, smooth, and full of cheesy goodness. Most Tex-Mex cuisines include this cheese sauce in their dishes.
If you want a healthier version of Santa Maria sauce without any additives, make it at home. By this, you can even customize the ingredients and flavors. For example, if you want to make it spicier, you can use cayenne pepper. If you want to make it smokier, you can use more paprika. And if you want it to be creamier, you can use more cheese. Now let’s get to the ideal recipe guide for Pail cheese sauce.
All About Santa Maria Pail Cheese Sauce
Saint Maria Pail Cheese Sauce is literally a heat-and-serve cheese sauce. It’s very creamy, mildly spiced, and thick. You just need cheese, chilies, and a few seasonings to make it.
Starting from nachos to boiled broccoli, everything goes well with Santa Maria Sauce. I bet your guests can’t resist having it, as it tastes so delicious. Include this sauce in every house party. Trust me, everyone will become your fan.
Ingredients You Need
To make a restaurant-style cheese dip, you must have these ingredients below.
Cheddar Cheese
You will need 1 ½ cups of cheddar cheese. Make sure it’s grated so that the cheese melts easily.
Whole Milk
To give a rich base to the sauce, use 1 cup of whole milk.
Butter
2 tablespoons of butter are enough to form a roux and give some more richness to the sauce.
All-Purpose Flour
To thicken the sauce, you will need 1 ½ tablespoons of all-purpose flour.
Garlic Powder
½ teaspoon of garlic powder will give a subtle depth and flavor to the sauce.
Paprika
¼ teaspoon of paprika can impart a mild smokiness to your cheddar cheese blend.
Salt
To enhance the overall flavor, you will need ½ teaspoon of salt.
Black Pepper
For a hint of spice, ¼ teaspoon of black pepper is perfect.
Jalapeno/Green Chilli (Optional)
If you want some more heat, use 1 tablespoon of chopped jalapeños or green chilies.
How to Make Santa Maria Pail Cheese Sauce With 5 Simple Steps?
So now we are all set for the Santa Maria cheese sauce recipe. Let’s go!
Step 1
First, take a medium saucepan and melt butter in it over a medium heat. Add flour into the pan and whisk continuously. Do it for 1 to 2 minutes until it forms a smooth roux.
Step 2
Pour milk slowly while whisking so that the mixture doesn’t lump. Let it cook, and you keep stirring it for about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, the mixture will start getting thick.
Step 3
Now reduce the heat to low and slowly add cheddar cheese in small batches. Stir the mixture constantly until the sauce becomes perfectly smooth.
Step 4
Now add garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper into the sauce. If you are using jalapeños or green chilies, add them too. Stir them again and let them cook for 2 minutes.
Step 5
Lastly, remove the saucepan from the heat and serve it immediately with your favorite dishes. You can use it as a dip or just pour it over your snacks.
Special Tips
Before you make a bulk cheese sauce, make sure to follow some special tips.
- You can only get a better consistency from your creamy nacho cheese sauce if you use grated cheese here.
- Stir the mixture constantly so that it doesn’t burn or stick.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, add some more milk, and if the sauce becomes too thin, add some more cheese.
- Always store the Santa Maria nacho sauce in an airtight container. And every time you use it, reheat it gently by adding a bit of milk.
Best Pairings For Santa Maria Pail Cheese Sauce
Your creamy cheese topping will definitely complement these dishes.
- Nachos
- Tortilla chips
- Grilled vegetables
- Loaded fries
- Burgers
- Soft pretzels
- Hot dogs
- Macaroni or pasta
- Baked potatoes
- Taco bowls
How to Make a Spicy Version of Santa Maria Pail Cheese Sauce?
If you want to make your pail-packaged cheese sauce spicier, try these techniques below.
- You can incorporate 1 or 2 teaspoons of hot sauce, like Sriracha, Tabasco, etc.
- Use ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper instead of paprika
- Use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar cheese.
- Blend roasted green chilies if you want a smoky flavor.
Santa Maria Pail Cheese Sauce
Ingredients
- 1½ Cups Cheddar Cheese Grated
- 1 Cup Whole Milk
- 2 Tbsp Butter
- 1½ Tbsp All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 Tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/4 Tsp Paprika
- 1/2 Tsp Salt
- 1/4 Tsp Black Pepper
- 1 Tbsp Jalapeño/Green Chili Optional
Instructions
- First, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour to it and whisk to form a roux.
- Gradually add milk and stir the mixture until it becomes smooth.
- Reduce the heat and add cheese to the saucepan. Sit it until the butter melts.
- Add garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and jalapeños if using them.
- Stir everything well. When the sauce becomes thick, take the saucepan out the stove and serve the sauce immediately.
Nutrition
Conclusion
Whenever you need a cheesy, delicious, and fast side for your dishes, you can incorporate Santa Maria Pail Cheese Sauce into your menu. It’s very easy to make; you just need 20 minutes. With cheddar cheese, whole milk, butter, and some seasonings, you can easily make this sauce.
Be it a family dinner, party, or just to dip some chips, Santa Maria enhances flavor in every dish. And you can customize flavors if you have a different taste preference.
FAQs
What is Santa Maria Pail Cheese Sauce Used for?
Santa Maria Pail Cheese Sauce, especially the cheddar cheese blend, is used for topping, dipping, and filling dishes. Such as nachos, wraps, burgers, fries, etc.
How Do You Heat and Serve Santa Maria Cheese Sauce?
Before you serve your cheese sauce in a pail, heat it on the stove, in the oven, or in the microwave. Once it heats, you don’t need any additional preparation. Just serve it as it is.
Is This Sauce Good for Nachos or Fries?
This creamy yellow cheese dip perfectly goes well with nachos and fries. If you are making a chili version of it, try it out with chili fries.
