Guilt Free West Coast Cheese Sauce
Creamy, flavorful, and completely guilt-free, this West Coast Cheese Sauce is the perfect way to elevate any dish without derailing your healthy eating goals. Made with wholesome ingredients like unsweetened almond milk, nutritional yeast, and a touch of smoked paprika for that signature cheesy depth, this dairy-free sauce is as versatile as it is delicious. The optional addition of low-fat cream cheese adds an extra layer of indulgence while keeping the recipe light. Ready in just 15 minutes, this sauce is perfect for drizzling over roasted vegetables, tossing with pasta, or using as a dip. With a bright finish from fresh lemon juice, it's a vegan-friendly, gluten-free option that doesn’t compromise on taste. Treat yourself to this quick and easy recipe for a rich cheese sauce you can feel great about!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Unsweetened almond milk
- 0.5 cups Nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons Arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)
- 2 tablespoons Low-fat cream cheese (optional, for extra creaminess)
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Fresh lemon juice
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
In a small bowl, whisk together arrowroot powder (or cornstarch) and 1/4 cup of the almond milk until smooth to create a slurry. Set aside.
In a medium saucepan, heat the remaining almond milk over medium heat until it begins to steam, but do not let it boil.
Lower heat to medium-low and stir in the nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until fully combined and smooth.
Gradually add the slurry to the saucepan, stirring continuously as the sauce begins to thicken. This should take 2-3 minutes.
If using, whisk in the low-fat cream cheese until fully melted and incorporated for extra creaminess.
Once the sauce reaches your desired consistency, remove from heat and stir in fresh lemon juice to brighten the flavor.
Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of almond milk to thin it out.
Serve immediately over your favorite dish, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of almond milk if needed.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
273 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 12.4 g | 16% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.7 g | 18% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 15 mg | 5% | |
| Sodium | 1706 mg | 74% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 27.9 g | 10% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.9 g | 14% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.6 g | ||
| Protein | 10.8 g | 22% | |
| Vitamin D | 4.4 mcg | 22% | |
| Calcium | 891 mg | 69% | |
| Iron | 2.9 mg | 16% | |
| Potassium | 460 mg | 10% | |
*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.
