Have you ever made too much cheese sauce and don’t know what to do with the leftovers?
Here are some quick ideas on what to do with leftover cheese sauce.
Whether you’re looking for a snack or a main dish, I’ve got you covered.
So, don’t let that leftover cheese sauce go to waste.
Try one of these recipes today.
Add it to pasta or rice dishes
Adding the leftover to your favorite pasta or rice dish is a great way to use up the extra sauce.
Even if there’s not enough left to coat all of your noodles, adding it to the top will keep the dish moist.
To do this, simply heat up the cheese sauce and mix it with your noodles.
Use as a dip or fondue
It can also be served as a fantastic dipping side with your favorite veggies.
It’s great with broccoli, carrots, celery sticks, and more.
Of course, you can always use it to make fondue for a party appetizer, too.
Just heat up the cheese sauce and serve it in a fondue pot with bread cubes or veggies for dipping.
Use as a topping for potatoes
Got some leftovers?
Great.
Add it to your favorite baked potato side dish or spread on top of baked sweet potatoes.
It’s great with either and is a quick and easy way to use up the leftover.
Make a grilled cheese sandwich
Who doesn’t love a good grilled cheese sandwich?
This simple meal never goes out of style, and it’s easy enough for even the pickiest eater in your family to enjoy (for example, my youngest son is not a fan of melted cheese sauce).
To make one, just butter two slices of bread and toss them into a skillet on medium heat.
Add it in between the slices before melting.
Once it’s ready, your grilled cheese sandwich is ready to eat.
Make nachos
It can also be used to make some delicious nachos.
You can use tortilla chips or pita chips for this quick and easy dish.
Just spoon some sauce on top of the desired chip, then add a few pieces of your favorite toppings.
I recommend taco meat, black beans, salsa, sour cream, guacamole, sliced olives, and more.
Turn it into a baked potato bar
Baked potatoes are delicious on their own, but you can kick them up a notch by adding some of the leftovers.
It’s quick, easy, and it will turn an ordinary meal into something special.
To do this, simply cut a baked potato in half and top it with some cheese sauce, deli meat, veggies, and other items.
This is a great choice for a potluck or family dinner night – everyone will enjoy it.
Mix it with eggs and make a quiche
If you’re looking for a breakfast, lunch, or dinner idea that’s full of cheesy goodness, then this is it.
You can also use leftover beef or chicken to create the quiche.
All you have to do is cook your eggs in a skillet with milk and cheese sauce until they are fully cooked.
Then add in meat, veggies, and other ingredients and heat until everything is warm and ready to eat.
Make a baked potato soup
Baked potatoes are delicious enough as it is, but if you add some cheese sauce then they become heavenly.
This is an easy way to use up that leftover sauce – just cut the top off of a baked potato and scoop out the insides.
Then pour some cheese sauce, bacon bits, and other ingredients inside the potato before replacing the top.
You could also add this soup to a bread bowl for an extra tasty meal.
Pour it over popcorn for a movie night snack
If you’re looking for a snack to enjoy while watching your favorite movies, then this is it.
All you have to do is pour some cheese sauce over warm popcorn and toss until the popcorn is covered.
If desired, add pepper or other seasonings into the mixture for an extra tasty treat.
Just freeze it in ice cube trays for later use
It can also be frozen in ice cube trays for quick and easy future use.
Simply pour the sauce into the tray, leaving a little room at the top for expansion once it freezes.
Then pop out each cube as you need it.
This is a great way to save time if you make cheese sauces often.
Can you save leftover cheese sauce?
You sure can.
In fact, you should always consider saving it in a few different ways.
That way, if you’re ever in a pinch and need a quick meal, then you’ll have some leftovers on hand that will transform your ordinary meals into something special.
What do you eat with cheese sauce?
You can enjoy it with just about anything.
Here are a few meals that we like to make:
- Grilled cheese sandwiches
- Nachos (with or without meat and other toppings)
- Baked potatoes (top with other ingredients for an extra tasty treat)
- Baked potato soup (just add cheese sauce, bacon bits, and other desired ingredients)
- Popcorn – simply pour over warm popcorn and enjoy.
- (Or season with desired spices)
- Quiche (eggs, cheese sauce, meat, veggies, etc.)
- Baked potatoes for a baked potato bar
Can you freeze leftover cheese sauce?
Yes, you sure can.
It will last about 3 months in the freezer.
How long will cheese sauce keep in the fridge?
It will keep in the fridge for about 1 week. (source)
How to reheat leftover cheese sauce?
The best way to reheat the leftover is by adding it to a skillet over low heat.
Once the cheese melts and becomes smooth and creamy, you can use it however you like (for instance: queso dip, nachos, or baked potatoes).
Does cheese sauce go bad?
Yes, it does expire.
It will keep in the fridge for about one week after opening. (source)
How can you tell if cheese sauce is bad?
If it begins to look moldy or has an odd color, then it is probably bad.
If you see this, please discard the sauce and do not eat it.
Why does cheese sauce go grey?
When you microwave it, the rapid heating can cause it to turn grey due to separated milk fats.
To avoid this, simply let it cool before microwaving it.
How much does one cup of cheese sauce make?
One cup of it will yield about 3 cups when cooked.
It all depends on how much milk is added to the cheese sauce.
Can you reheat cheese sauce in the microwave?
Yes, it is safe to be reheated in the microwave.
Spoon or pour your desired amount into a microwave-safe dish and heat on high power for about 60 seconds.
If it’s not warm enough after one round, then you can continue heating it in 30-second increments until it reaches the desired temperature.
How long does nacho cheese sauce last?
Nacho cheese sauce will typically last about 3 to 4 days in the fridge.
Can melted cheese sauce be refrozen?
If yours is accidentally over-thawed, then it’s safe to refreeze.
Spoon or pour your desired amount into a freezer bag and lay flat inside a pan.
Then place the pan inside the freezer and allow it to freeze.
Once it’s frozen, remove the pan and your bag of cheese sauce.
Can you leave cheese sauce out overnight?
No, you should not leave it out overnight.
Doing so can cause bacterial growth.
How many cups does one jar of cheese sauce make?
One jar will yield about 3 cups when cooked, which is enough to feed a family of four with plenty left over for snacking or other meals.
How many times can cheese sauce be reheated?
You should only reheat it once because the reheated sauce may not taste as good.
If you end up with extra cheese sauce, then simply place it in an air-tight container and store it in the fridge (for up to one week) or freezer (up to 3 months).
Conclusion
Now, you shouldn’t worry about what to do with leftover cheese sauce anymore.
There are so many ways to use it, and I’ve just scratched the surface.
Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy meal idea or something special to add to your next party, these recipes will do the trick.
The leftover is also a great way to add some extra flavor to your food – so don’t be afraid to experiment.