Abstract: A cheese sauce and meal kit including at least one pouch containing the cheese sauce. The cheese sauce exhibits desirable texture and mouth-feel, as well as desirable flavor and visual appearance. Further, the cheese sauce has a shelf-life of up to twelve months or more. The cheese sauce generally includes cheese solids present in an amount from about 10 weight percent or less, at least one non-cheese dairy, water, a natural preservative such as nisin, at least one phosphate, salt, oil, and a savory flavor profile. The cheese sauce can be processed using a pasteurization process, and packaged using a hot fill process. The cheese sauce can be packaged into pouches and the like for use with meal kits and side dishes.