Can cheese sauce be frozen?

Cheese is one of those things that makes everything better. It is one of the oldest foods we have. In addition, it is a highly appreciated ingredient throughout the world, since it is an integral part of many cuisines in the world.

Perhaps one of the most effective ways to use it is as a sauce. At one point or another, we’ve probably all come across some form of cheese sauce.

For one thing, your cheese sauce can be something as gourmet as béchamel and mornay, which are French dishes. On the other hand, it can be something as simple and affordable as a homemade nacho cheese sauce or cheese dip.

But can cheese sauce be frozen?

In general, yes, you can freeze cheese sauce. However, depending on the type of cheese used to make the sauce and other ingredients included, some sauces will freeze better than others and some may lose their flavor or texture.

Be sure to keep reading as we break down some of the most popular cheese sauces right now. We hope this guide helps you better preserve your cheese sauce.

Freeze different types of cheese

First of all, we must know better the different types of cheese. Below is a summary of the cheese categories.

The table below is incredibly important for our purposes as it gives you an idea of which cheese would freeze well and which would not.

different types of cheese

To be more specific, the physical characteristics of your cheese play a crucial role here, with texture, fat content, and moisture levels being the most important.

Be sure to pay close attention to these features when looking at the specific cheese sauce ingredients you plan to freeze.

As a general guide, it has to be said that the higher the fat content , the better the cheese will freeze. It is therefore not surprising that hard cheeses freeze better .

Conversely, the opposite can be said of fresh, soft cheeses. Among them are cottage cheese or fresh cheese . They don’t freeze well, as their soft texture and lower fat content work against them in freezing temperatures.

Different types of cheese sauce

Now that we’ve gone over the different types of cheese and the basic rules for freezing it, it’s time for us to dive into the subject at hand and take a closer look at the different types of cheese sauce.

We are going to review each of them in detail, highlighting the cheeses that are usually used to make them and the characteristics that define them.

• Béchamel sauce - Béchamel is perhaps one of the most essential sauces out there. It is the typical white sauce with a dairy base. Not only is it incredibly versatile, but it’s also considered the mother sauce on which countless other French sauces are based. Although not strictly a cheese sauce, it serves as the base for many of the cheeses that will be discussed here. It is made by whipping hot milk into a rudimentary roux, a thickening agent made by mixing flour and butter. It is then simmered with the bay leaf, onion, cloves and a pinch of nutmeg. The sauce is known for its creamy and smooth consistency.
• Macaroni and cheese sauce (Mornay sauce) – Formally known as Mornay sauce or white cheese sauce, it is more commonly known as macaroni and cheese sauce . Although this dish may seem common today, it has its roots in French cuisine. The manufacturing process is very similar to that of bechamel sauce. Add grated or crumbled Gruyère cheese, although you also have the option of using other types of cheese, such as Parmesan, white cheddar, Gruyère, and Emmental.
• Cheddar Sauce - Another derivative of the classic béchamel sauce, cheddar sauce is considered one of the staple cheese sauces in English cuisine. It is even made in the same way as Mornay, the most important difference being the choice of cheese that is incorporated into the sauce. As you may have guessed, the recipe simply substitutes the Gruyère for the cheddar. This sauce is often used for casseroles and lasagna. It also goes well with fish and vegetable dishes.
• Four Cheese Sauce - As the name suggests, this sauce is made by gradually stirring grated cheese over whipping cream and melted butter. Typically, you’ll want to use Parmesan, Mozzarella , Provolone , and Romano. This combination of cheeses will give you the right balance of flavor that you are looking for. While you are free to experiment with other cheeses like cream cheese, blue cheese, or cheddar, the above combination gives much better freezing results. This sauce goes well with pasta dishes, steamed vegetables, and steaks, although some people also use it to flavor baked potatoes.
• fondue- Perhaps one of the best-known cheese sauces, fondue is a Swiss dish made with melted cheese. It became popular in the mid-20th century and has since become one of the classic forms of cheese sauce. Heated over a candle or over low heat, olla cheese slowly melts into a dipping sauce that all diners can enjoy. Being a Swiss dish, it is logical that Emmental and Gruyère are the most used ingredients for this dish. However, some people also choose to use blue cheese and Cheddar. This sauce is often enjoyed with bread, garlic croutons, and cured meats, as well as roast potatoes, carrots, and various types of steamed vegetables. If you want to know more about the best cheeses for fondue, we have another article waiting for you.
• Nacho Cheese Dip - Nacho cheese dip has become incredibly popular because it’s paired with one of the most widely eaten appetizers. The cheese sauce helps bring out the natural flavors of the nachos, giving it a kick and just the right level of saltiness that would be hard to find anywhere else. Like the classic béchamel sauce, this sauce is of dairy origin, since it uses cold pasteurized milk to give the sauce body. A blend of cheddar, Monterey Jack and muenster cheeses is then added to the mix to give it that signature flavor. It is then topped off with the addition of different spices, such as paprika, chipotle, cayenne, and ancho chile.

The physical characteristics of these cheeses will inevitably affect how the sauces will react to the freezing process. The good news is that these are usually hard cheeses, which usually freeze well on their own.

Can you freeze homemade cheese sauce?

Now, if you’re anything like us, you probably place a premium on making your own cheese sauce. After all, it is a sign that you are a serious home chef in every sense of the word.

So you may be wondering: is it safe to freeze my homemade cheese sauce? The answer is a resounding yes.

Actually, this is a handy solution that you may have to add to your cheese sauce routine anyway. This is because, unlike store-bought cheese sauce, the one you’ve made yourself probably doesn’t contain any additional preservatives.

So the solution is to put it in the freezer. Just make sure you let the sauce cool completely first. Remember that putting anything hot in the freezer is a recipe for disaster, as you can end up doing more harm than good.

So, once the cheese sauce has cooled, you can proceed to transfer it to an airtight container, preferably a sealed freezer-safe bag. Then, write down the storage date before you put it in the freezer.

Can bechamel cheese sauce be frozen?

As we have already said, the white sauce known as bechamel is the inspiration for many of the cheese sauces we use today.

Simply put, bechamel sauce freezes very well. This is mainly due to its roux and the good amount of fat it contains. It can be frozen safely.

You’ll also be happy to know that the sauce is known to last up to three months in the freezer and still tastes great when reheated.

You can also store the bechamel sauce in the fridge and it will keep for a maximum of 5 days.

The freezing process is quite simple. It is highly recommended to divide the sauce into portions so that you only have to defrost the amount you need for a specific recipe. Most home cooks use ice cube trays to portion out the sauce.

As you defrost, you may notice that the ingredients start to separate. This is common in many dairy-based mixes, and bechamel sauce is no exception.

However, this can be easily remedied by giving the mixture a good shake to restore its consistency and texture.

Can the macaroni and cheese sauce be frozen?

Although we commonly refer to this sauce as macaroni and cheese sauce, it may come as a surprise to most that it is a traditional French sauce known as Mornay.

It is a white cheese sauce very inspired by the bechamel sauce. As already mentioned, it even follows the same recipe, with the addition of Gruyère as the main difference.

To directly answer the question: yes, it is perfectly safe to freeze macaroni and cheese sauce.

This is due to its perfect level of fat content, as well as the use of a high-fat hard cheese that gives the mix the body and consistency it needs to withstand the freezing process.

Can cheddar cheese sauce be frozen?

Once again, our understanding of why béchamel sauce freezes well plays an important role in effectively answering this particular question.

Like mornay or macaroni and cheese sauce, cheddar sauce follows the same basic recipe as béchamel. So it stands to reason that cheddar sauce can be frozen safely.

After all, it has the same moisture level and fat content as roux and milk. The cheese itself is a hard cheese with significant levels of fat. Both factors ease the prospect of freezing.

Can cheese sauce for nachos be frozen?

Being one of the most popular cheese sauces, it stands to reason that many people wonder if it is safe to freeze cheese sauce for nachos. The answer is as simple as it can be: yes, you can.

However, there are a couple of things you can do to increase your chances of success.

For example, although the types of cheese that are usually used to make it practically guarantee excellent freezing results, there is another matter that you must take into account: the milk used for the base of the sauce.

So if you’re making your own nacho cheese sauce, we can’t overstate the importance of using pasteurized milk instead of powdered milk.

This is because pasteurized milk has a much longer shelf life than other dairy products. At the same time, using pasteurized milk reduces the risk of cross contamination.

This effectively reduces any problems you may encounter, especially once you take the sauce out of the freezer.

Tips for freezing cheese sauce

Now that we’ve effectively answered whether or not you can freeze certain types of cheese sauces, it’s time we went over a couple of things to remember.

These tips are true for all cases, so it is better that you keep them in mind at all times, regardless of the type of cheese sauce you are working with.

• Freezing affects consistency - As you may have noticed in previous discussions, freezing will cause your sauce to separate. This is because most cheese sauces are dairy based. Fear not though, as this is only temporary and can be quickly resolved by giving your mixture a good shake.
• Always use fresh sauce - For best results, it is best to use freshly made cheese sauce. This ensures that everything is as fresh as possible, ensuring a longer shelf life.
• Portion your sauce - One of the best ways to ensure the longevity of your sauce is to avoid reheating and refreezing it. To do this, we strongly recommend that you divide your cheese sauce into portions. This way, you only have to reheat the specific amount you need.

Whatever your preferences, it’s always a good idea to keep your cheese sauce close at hand. As this guide illustrates, freezing is one of the most effective ways to do this.