Creamy Honey Mustard Cheese Sauce Recipe

You’ll fall in love with this cheesy honey mustard sauce made with ricotta. It’s quick to prepare and pairs with so many dishes. Pour it over chicken, steak, pork chops, fish, or even roasted vegetables.

This honey mustard sauce is versatile and delicious — a spoonful transforms simple meals into something special.

Is it a gravy or is it a sauce?

I originally created this cheesy honey mustard sauce to serve with chicken cordon bleu. It worked so well I turned it into its own recipe.

Ricotta brings a mild, creamy, cheesy character while mustard adds a gentle tang. Honey balances those flavours with a soft sweetness, making a sauce you might be tempted to eat straight from the pan.

Technically is it a sauce or a gravy? The definitions are helpful:

• Gravy – traditionally made from the fat and juices released by meat during cooking, combined with stock and other ingredients.
• Sauce – a liquid or semi-liquid accompaniment served with food to add moisture and flavour.

Because this recipe doesn’t use meat juices or rendered fat, I’ll call it Honey Mustard Sauce — though Honey Mustard Gravy works if you prefer.

Serve the sauce in a gravy boat so everyone can help themselves.

Whatever you call it, you’ll love it

Why this is one of the best honey mustard sauces:

• It tastes amazing — sweet, tangy, creamy and subtly cheesy all at once.
• Ready in under 10 minutes from start to finish.
• Extremely versatile — excellent with chicken, pork chops, steak, gammon, fish or vegetables.
• Make it thicker to use as a dipping sauce for chicken strips, meatballs or fries, or thin it slightly to pour over mains.
• Freezes well, making it easy to enjoy anytime.

What ingredients do I need?

You get a lot of flavour from just a handful of common ingredients — most are likely in your fridge or pantry.

Exact measurements and step-by-step instructions are in the recipe card below.

• Ricotta cheese — gives the sauce its creamy, cheesy base. Substitute with another soft cheese like cream cheese or well-blended cottage cheese if needed.
• Butter — forms the base with flour to thicken. Use real butter for best texture and flavour; margarine can make the sauce oily.
• Flour — to thicken.
• Honey — adds sweetness.
• Wholegrain mustard — provides tang and textural pops from the seeds. Dijon or English mustard can be used, but they are stronger and may require less quantity.
• Milk — I use full-fat for richness; semi-skimmed works if you prefer.
• Salt and black pepper — to season to taste.

How do you make it?

The method is straightforward and quick.

• Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat; avoid browning it.
• Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the flour until smooth and lump-free.
• Return the pan to low heat and slowly add the milk, stirring constantly. Cook about 4 minutes until the sauce thickens to a smooth, pourable consistency (similar to pouring custard). It will thicken further once the cheese is added.
• Stir in the mustard, honey and ricotta, mixing until the cheese is fully incorporated. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
• Adjust consistency as needed:
  • If too thick, add a splash more milk.
  • If too thin, mix a teaspoon of flour with a tablespoon of milk, stir into the sauce, and cook over low heat for another minute or two to eliminate any raw-flour taste.

How do I freeze honey mustard sauce?

Let the sauce cool, transfer to airtight freezer bags, seal and freeze for up to 3 months.

To use, thaw in a saucepan over low heat until defrosted, then bring to a gentle simmer and serve immediately.

Make in advance

Store prepared sauce in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If it separates slightly, stir before reheating.

Make a honey mustard dipping sauce

For a dipping sauce, reduce the milk so the texture is thicker and serve at room temperature. A thicker version also spreads well on sandwiches.

Save for later

Save this recipe where you keep favourites so you can make it again. The recipe card below includes measurements and full instructions.

Related recipes

If you enjoyed this sauce, explore other sauces, dips and marinades for more ideas.

📋The recipe