Cheese Sauce Dairy Free
Indulge in the creamy, velvety goodness of this Dairy-Free Cheese Sauce, a plant-based alternative that doesn’t compromise on flavor or texture. Made with wholesome ingredients like raw cashews, nutritional yeast, and a touch of turmeric for that signature cheesy color, this recipe is not only vegan but also gluten-free and ready in just 15 minutes! The combination of garlic and onion powder along with a splash of lemon juice creates a rich, tangy flavor profile that’s perfect for drizzling over pasta, nachos, baked potatoes, or your favorite veggies. Easy to make in a blender and thickened to perfection on the stove, this versatile, healthy cheese sauce is a must-have for anyone seeking dairy-free comfort food.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup Raw cashews
- 1 cup Unsweetened almond milk (or other plant-based milk)
- 0.25 cup Nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Onion powder
- 0.25 teaspoon Ground turmeric
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Water (if needed for consistency)
Instructions
Soak the raw cashews in hot water for 10–15 minutes or overnight in cold water to soften them. Drain and rinse before use.
In a high-speed blender, combine the soaked cashews, almond milk, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, turmeric, salt, and black pepper.
Blend on high until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add 1–2 tablespoons of water to reach your desired consistency.
Pour the blended sauce into a medium saucepan and heat over low to medium heat, stirring constantly, for about 3–5 minutes. Cook until the sauce is warm and slightly thickened. Avoid boiling.
Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if desired.
Serve immediately over pasta, steamed vegetables, baked potatoes, or as a dip. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
690 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 51.8 g | 66% | |
| Saturated Fat | 8.8 g | 44% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1368 mg | 59% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 43.3 g | 16% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 6.1 g | 22% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.2 g | ||
| Protein | 24.8 g | 50% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.5 mcg | 12% | |
| Calcium | 502 mg | 39% | |
| Iron | 9.3 mg | 52% | |
| Potassium | 1050 mg | 22% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
