“I made these for dinner last night. My husband and I both have Kentucky roots so we have had many versions.”

These classic Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwiches feature toasted bread topped with turkey, tomato, a rich cheese sauce, and crispy bacon, all broiled to bubbly perfection.

Ingredients:
For the Sauce:
Ingredient Quantity
Butter 4 tablespoons
All-purpose flour 1/4 cup
Whole milk 2 cups
Shredded sharp cheddar cheese 2 cups
Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon
Paprika 1/2 teaspoon
Cayenne pepper Pinch
White pepper Pinch
Salt To taste
Pepper To taste
Directions for the Sauce
Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat.
Whisk in the all-purpose flour and stir continuously until it is fully incorporated and smooth. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring often, until the mixture turns a light golden color. This creates a roux.
Gradually whisk in the whole milk. Increase the heat to medium and cook for about 2 minutes, or until the sauce thickens, stirring frequently to prevent lumps from forming.
Reduce the heat to low and add the shredded sharp cheddar cheese to the sauce.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
Optional: For an extra smooth sauce, use a metal immersion blender to further emulsify the mixture.
Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, paprika, cayenne pepper, and white pepper. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Keep the sauce warm while you prepare the sandwiches.
For the Sandwiches