Heart-Healthy Classic Cheddar Cheese Sauce
Indulge in creamy comfort with this *Heart-Healthy Classic Cheddar Cheese Sauce*—a lighter, guilt-free twist on the timeless favorite. Made with heart-smart olive oil, low-sodium vegetable broth, and unsweetened almond milk, this recipe delivers velvety richness without the heavy fats or sodium of traditional cheese sauces. Reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese, paired with a touch of ground mustard, garlic powder, and onion powder, creates a flavorful blend that satisfies your cravings while supporting your health goals. In just 25 minutes, you can whip up this silky sauce to drizzle over steamed vegetables, toss with whole-grain pasta, or serve as a dip for a wholesome snack. Perfect for health-conscious food lovers, this easy-to-make recipe proves that eating well doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 1 cup Low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 cup Unsweetened almond milk
- 1 cup Reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon Ground mustard
- 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Onion powder
- 0.25 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
- 0.125 teaspoon Salt (optional)
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
Stir in the all-purpose flour, whisking constantly for about 2 minutes to form a roux; the mixture should be smooth and slightly golden.
Slowly pour in the low-sodium vegetable broth, continuing to whisk until the mixture is smooth and begins to thicken.
Add the unsweetened almond milk in a slow stream, whisking continuously to avoid any lumps.
Allow the mixture to simmer gently over medium heat, stirring often, until the sauce begins to thicken, about 5 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low, then gradually stir in the grated reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese.
Add the ground mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, freshly ground black pepper, and salt if using.
Continue to stir until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy, around 3-5 minutes.
Remove from heat and let the sauce sit for a minute to thicken slightly before serving.
Serve warm over your favorite dishes such as steamed vegetables, whole-wheat pasta, or as a dip for a healthy snack.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
693 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 55.4 g | 71% | |
| Saturated Fat | 18.7 g | 94% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 60 mg | 20% | |
| Sodium | 1364 mg | 59% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 22.2 g | 8% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.2 g | 4% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.1 g | ||
| Protein | 31.5 g | 63% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.8 mcg | 14% | |
| Calcium | 1246 mg | 96% | |
| Iron | 2.0 mg | 11% | |
| Potassium | 415 mg | 9% | |
*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.
