If you are just getting started with a whole food plant based diet, then you are probably familiar with vegan cheese sauce. This is probably the easiest and healthiest vegan cheese sauce that you can make. It is incredibly comforting and game changing.
How to make vegan cheese sauce
You just need to boil the potatoes, carrots, onions and cashews together until soft. Then you drain them but save some of the water, and throw them into a blender. Add in the nutritional yeast, salt, apple cider vinegar, hot sauce and salt and blend away. If your blender needs a little help, spoon in a few teaspoons of water to help it blend better.
For inspiration, here are a few ways to incorporate it into meals:
Grilled Cheese
Yes! This cheese sauce can be used as a spread to make the most delicious oil free vegan grilled cheese you will ever taste. Furthermore, you can add your favorite veggies, like onion and tomato, to make a crave worthy lunch.
Nachos
Nothing like a big plate of nachos topped with cheese sauce. To be extra, you could also make your own tortilla chips. Just cut up some corn tortillas and bake them at 400 degrees for about 5-8 minutes. Who doesn’t like tortillas dipped in cheese?
Cheesy Rice
As a kid, my mom would make a chicken and cheese rice casserole which sparked my idea for this combo. Mix the cheese sauce with cooked brown rice for a creamy and comforting dish. Serve it up with a salad on the side and you have a quick and easy lunch or dinner meal.
Mac & Cheese
Yep! You can still eat your childhood fave (but also adulthood fave), mac and cheese. Unlike pre-made vegan mac and cheese, this version will be super low in fat and sodium. Boil up your favorite pasta and mix it with the cheese sauce for a beyond easy week night dinner.
Over Veggies
This one isn’t rocket science but it adds so much flavor to your veggies. When I was first starting out eating oil free/ low fat, I would literally put this cheese sauce on all my veggies. Not only does it taste great but it also helped me eat more vegetables.
What is it made out of?
Potatoes, carrots, onion, cashews, garlic powder, nutritional yeast flakes, water, and salt. These are the super simple ingredients which you will need to make this delicious sauce. The only kitchen equipment you need is a high speed blender and a pot.
How to store
If you’re like me, then you love to batch cook your meals. So, you’re in luck! This easy vegan cheese sauce keeps for up to a week and a half in the refrigerator. After you make the sauce, pour into a glass container with a lid.
Pro tip: Save your pasta sauce jars and reuse them to store this sauce.
This vegan cheese sauce is
- Plant based
- Gluten-free
- Oil-free
- Dairy-free
- Easy to make in a few minutes
- Option to make salt-free
Vegan Cheese Sauce
Equipment
- Blender
Ingredients
- 3 golden potatoes
- 3 carrots peeled
- 1 onion small onion
- 1/4 cup cashews
- 2 tbsp hot sauce optional
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to a boil.
- Once the water is boiling, add in the potatoes, carrots, onion and cashews. Boil until the potatoes and carrots are soft. About 15 minutes.
- In a high speed blender, drain and add in the boiled potatoes, carrots, onions and cashews. Don't throw out the water you boiled the veggies in because you can use to thin sauce if needed.
- Throw in the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. Enjoy on top of veggies, over potatoes or use as a dipping sauce for chips.
