Oh. My. GOSH. Can we talk about vegan cheese sauce for a second? Because I am OBSESSED. 🧀💚
You know that feeling when you’re craving something creamy and cheesy, but you’re committed to that plant-based life? Well, my friend, I’ve got you covered. I’ve spent countless hours in the kitchen (and maybe a few moments crying over failed experiments) to bring you these 10 ah-mazing vegan cheese sauce recipes that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance.
I’ve teamed up with some of the coolest vegan chefs out there to bring you a variety of flavors – from classic cheddar to spicy nacho and even some fancy-pants gourmet options. Whether you’re in the mood for mac and cheese, nachos, or just want to drizzle something delicious over your veggies, we’ve got a sauce for that.
The best part? These recipes are so easy, you could probably make them blindfolded. (But like, don’t actually do that. Safety first, people!)
So grab your blender, put on your favorite playlist, and let’s get saucy! 🎵🥘
Cashew Cheddar Sauce
Alright, let’s kick things off with a classic, shall we? This Cashew Cheddar Sauce is like the little black dress of vegan cheese sauces – it goes with EVERYTHING.
To whip up this bad boy, you’ll need cashews (duh), nutritional yeast (our vegan cheese BFF), lemon juice, and a few spices. Blend it all up, and voila! Cheesy perfection.
Pro tip: Soak your cashews overnight for extra creaminess. Trust me, your sauce will be smoother than a pick-up line from George Clooney.
I once made this for my non-vegan brother, and he legit thought I was trying to “cheat” on my vegan diet. Ha! Joke’s on you, bro. It’s 100% plant-based and 200% delicious.
Potato Carrot Cheese Sauce
Okay, I know what you’re thinking. “Potatoes and carrots? In a cheese sauce? Has she lost her mind?” But hear me out!
This Potato Carrot Cheese Sauce is the underdog of vegan cheese sauces. It’s surprisingly creamy, packed with nutrients, and perfect for those with nut allergies.
You’ll need potatoes, carrots, nutritional yeast, and some spices. Boil the veggies, blend everything together, and bam! You’ve got yourself a veggie-packed cheese sauce that’ll make you question everything you thought you knew about life.
I like to call this my “stealth health” sauce. Sneaking veggies into cheese sauce? That’s some next-level vegan wizardry right there.
Sunflower Seed Queso
Listen up, nut-free friends! This Sunflower Seed Queso is about to rock your world.
Sunflower seeds are the unsung heroes of the vegan cheese world. They’re cheap, they’re accessible, and they make a darn good queso.
Soak those seeds, blend them up with some spices, nutritional yeast, and a little hot sauce, and you’ve got yourself a party-ready queso that’ll have everyone asking for the recipe.
Fun fact: I once brought this to a Super Bowl party, and it was gone before the first touchdown. Score!
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Sauce
Fall lovers, this one’s for you! This Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Sauce is like a warm hug for your taste buds.
Roast up some butternut squash, blend it with cashews, nutritional yeast, and spices, and you’ve got a sauce that’s creamy, slightly sweet, and oh-so-comforting.
Pro tip: Add a pinch of nutmeg for that extra fall flavor. It’s like PSL for your pasta!
I make this every Thanksgiving, and it’s become such a tradition that my family actually complains if I don’t bring it. Who would’ve thought squash would be the star of Turkey Day?
Zucchini Cheese Sauce
Summer squash, meet cheese sauce. Cheese sauce, meet your new best friend.
This Zucchini Cheese Sauce is perfect for those times when your neighbor “kindly” offloads their entire zucchini harvest on you. (We’ve all been there, right?)
Sauté some zucchini, blend it up with cashews, nutritional yeast, and lemon juice, and you’ve got a light, fresh cheese sauce that’s perfect for summer dishes.
I like to drizzle this over grilled veggies. It’s like a summer garden party in your mouth!
Smoky Chipotle Cheese Sauce
Alright, spice lovers, this one’s for you! This Smoky Chipotle Cheese Sauce is about to kick your taste buds into high gear.
Cashews, nutritional yeast, and chipotle peppers in adobo sauce are the stars of this show. Blend ’em up, and you’ve got a sauce that’s smoky, spicy, and totally addictive.
Warning: This sauce may cause spontaneous happy dances and/or declarations of undying love. I once saw my usually stoic dad do a little jig after trying this. True story.
Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce
Who says Alfredo sauce can’t be vegan? This Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce is here to prove the haters wrong.
Roast some cauliflower, blend it up with cashews, garlic, and nutritional yeast, and you’ve got an Alfredo sauce that’s creamy, garlicky, and surprisingly low in calories.
Pro tip: Add some fresh herbs like basil or thyme for an extra flavor boost. It’s like a little Italian vacation for your pasta!
I served this to my Italian grandmother once, and she actually gave it her seal of approval. If that’s not a win, I don’t know what is!
Sweet Potato Nacho Cheese Sauce
Nacho average cheese sauce! (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.) This Sweet Potato Nacho Cheese Sauce is about to become your new game day MVP.
Roast a sweet potato, blend it with cashews, nutritional yeast, and some taco seasoning, and you’ve got a nacho cheese sauce that’s sweet, spicy, and totally crave-worthy.
I like to add a can of green chilis for extra kick. It’s like a fiesta in your mouth!
Fun fact: I once won a vegan nacho competition with this sauce. Yes, vegan nacho competitions exist, and yes, they’re as awesome as they sound.
Roasted Red Pepper Cheese Sauce
If you’re looking for a cheese sauce that’s a little bit fancy, a little bit sassy, and a whole lot of delicious, look no further than this Roasted Red Pepper Cheese Sauce.
Roast some red peppers (or cheat and use the jarred kind, I won’t tell), blend them with cashews, nutritional yeast, and a splash of white wine vinegar, and you’ve got a sauce that’s tangy, slightly sweet, and totally irresistible.
This sauce is perfect for pasta, but I also love it as a spread for sandwiches. It’s like upgrading your lunch game to first class.
Pro tip: Garnish with some fresh basil for that gourmet touch. Fancy pants: activated.
Miso Cheese Sauce
Last but certainly not least, we’ve got this umami bomb of a Miso Cheese Sauce.
Miso paste is the secret ingredient here, folks. It adds a depth of flavor that’ll make your taste buds think they’ve died and gone to cheese heaven.
Blend some white miso paste with cashews, nutritional yeast, and a splash of rice vinegar, and you’ve got a sauce that’s savory, slightly tangy, and utterly addictive.
I love this sauce on everything from steamed veggies to baked potatoes. It’s like a flavor upgrade for any dish.
Word of warning: This sauce may cause addiction. I once ate it straight out of the blender with a spoon. No regrets.
And there you have it, folks! Ten creamy, dreamy vegan cheese sauces that’ll make you forget all about the dairy stuff.
Whether you’re a longtime vegan, a curious omnivore, or somewhere in between, these sauces are sure to satisfy your cheesy cravings without any of the guilt.
So what are you waiting for? Get in that kitchen and start blending! Your taste buds (and maybe your non-vegan friends) will thank you.
And remember, in the immortal words of the great philosopher Beyoncé, “If you like it, then you shoulda put some (vegan) cheese on it.” Or something like that. 🧀💃
Now go forth and get saucy, my friends!