Homemade Velveeta Cheese and Cheez Whiz

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 08/16/21
Homemade velveeta and diy cheez whiz
Diana Rattray
Prep: 12 mins
Cook: 4 mins
Total: 16 mins
Servings: 16 to 20 servings

These homemade versions of the popular process cheese foods are not only easy to make, they are made with real cheese. Mild cheddar cheese, milk, and cream cheese are among the ingredients, and a little gelatin makes the faux Velveeta—or American cheese—solidify into a block. You can use white or orange cheese depending on how you want the finished product to look.

The softer "Cheez Whiz" mixture is excellent warmed and added to hot macaroni, creamy soups like this 4-ingredient broccoli cheese soup, or vegetables, or use it as a warm dip with any number of additional ingredients.

The American cheese substitute is similar to the popular processed cheese, Velveeta. It's great for sandwiches, crackers, dips, and snacks. And it melted nicely in a basic grilled cheese sandwich. Or add it to a white sauce for vegetables, casseroles, or pasta dishes.

The American cheese (Velveeta) recipe makes about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds and the Cheez Whiz clone makes about 2 cups.

Ingredients

Homemade Velveeta or American Cheese:

  • 1 cup water

  • 1 packet (1/4-ounce) unflavored gelatin

  • 1/3 cup dry milk powder

  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 4 cups grated mild cheddar cheese or a combination of cheddar and Colby

Homemade Cheez-Whiz:

  • 1 cup evaporated milk

  • 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese

  • 2 ounces cream cheese

  • 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Steps to Make It

Velveeta or American Cheese

  1. Line a small loaf pan with plastic wrap, leaving a few inches of excess on both sides of the pan. Alternatively, you may use smaller loaf-size containers.

  2. Put the water in a saucepan and bring to a boil.

  3. Combine the gelatine, milk powder, and salt in a blender and pulse to blend.

  4.  Add the boiling water to the blender and immediately pulse a few times.

  5. Quickly add the cheddar cheese and process until smooth. 

  6. Working quickly, pour or spoon the mixture into the lined pan. Use a spatula to even the top. Cover with the excess plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.

  7. Slice the cheese and use it for cheese and cracker snacks, sandwiches, grilled cheese, or add some to a cheese sauce or dip.

  8. Wrap in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. Use within 2 weeks.

    Use Caution When Blending Hot Ingredients

    Steam expands quickly in a blender, and can cause ingredients to splatter everywhere or cause burns. To prevent this, fill the blender only one-third of the way up, vent the top, and cover with a folded kitchen towel while blending.


Homemade Cheez-Whiz

  1. Put the evaporated milk in a saucepan and bring to a simmer.

  2. In a blender or food processor, combine the cheese, cream cheese, dry mustard, and salt. Add the simmering evaporated milk and process until smooth. Pour into a jar and use immediately (while warm) or refrigerate. 

  3. For a thinner mixture, add some extra hot milk or cream.

  4. Store in the refrigerator.

  5. Use within 1 week.

Tips

  • Have the shredded cheese opened and close at hand so you can add it immediately. The mixture thickens quickly.
  • If your blender doesn't handle thick mixtures well, try a food processor. 

Recipe Variations

  • Use half pepper jack cheese in the Velveeta or add a few tablespoons of canned finely chopped jalapeño or mild green chile peppers along with the cheese.
  • Add a dash or garlic powder and a dash of onion powder to the homemade Cheez-Whiz, or use a seasoned salt blend instead of table salt.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
169 Calories
13g Fat
3g Carbs
10g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 16 to 20
Amount per serving
Calories 169
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 13g 17%
Saturated Fat 8g 38%
Cholesterol 40mg 13%
Sodium 282mg 12%
Total Carbohydrate 3g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 10g
Vitamin C 0mg 2%
Calcium 291mg 22%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 87mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)