A creamy, flavorful, and Easy Vegan Cheese Sauce recipe that everyone will love. You can enjoy this sauce in 5 minutes or less with your regular snacks, pasta, and veggies.
This vegan cheese sauce is quick to prepare and only needs 8 simple ingredients. The best part is that it’s healthy and requires no cooking, plus it’s nut-free, gluten-free, oil-free, soy-free, and super versatile!
You can make this vegan sauce in a large batch and serve it to please your friends and family.
HOW TO PREPARE THIS EASY VEGAN CHEESE SAUCE
(Please read the printable recipe card below for detailed ingredients, measurements, steps, and notes).
This sauce is super easy to prepare. The ingredients are pantry staples and are available at every grocery store. You know how much I love simple recipes!
I came up with this sauce on one of those days I don’t have so much in my pantry. Those days are best for my creativity since I have to prepare something with what I have on hand! I needed a cheesy sauce for my roasted veggies, and from that day, this vegan cheese sauce has been my go-to recipe.
And the only equipment you’ll need is a regular blender.
INGREDIENTS
Here is a list of everything you will need to make this delicious vegan cheese sauce:
- Chickpeas: The main ingredient used for this recipe is chickpeas. I prefer using canned chickpeas as they save time. However, you can also buy dried chickpeas and cook them at home. Chickpeas have a nutty flavor and a smooth texture, which helps with the sauce’s consistency. You will also need to save the chickpea water or aquafaba from the can.
- Nutritional yeast: Nutritional yeast is used for adding umami and savory flavor to the dish. Moreover, this vegan ingredient also adds a cheesy touch to the sauce.
- Coconut aminos: Coconut aminos is a fantastic ingredient widely used as a soy sauce substitute. If you are looking for a gluten-free and soy-free option, coconut aminos do the work. Like soy sauce, it has a salty, savory, and umami flavor.
- Smoked paprika: Smoked paprika has a smokey and sweet flavor with a bit of heat. If you don’t like the smokiness of smoked paprika, use regular paprika. Moreover, use cayenne pepper or red chili flakes for more heat and spice.
- Yellow mustard: It has a prominent tangy flavor. For a tangier taste, you can use Dijon mustard as well.
- Apple cider vinegar: It has a sour taste and cuts through the creaminess and richness of the sauce. Use white wine vinegar if you don’t have apple cider vinegar.
- Arrowroot: Arrowroot starch is known as a thickening agent. It doesn’t have a flavor and, therefore, has the sole purpose of adjusting the consistency of the sauce. Plus, it’s gluten-free. Additionally, when you heat the sauce, it’ll make it stretchy and thicker.
- Garlic salt: Garlic salt is a blend of garlic powder and salt. It adds a savory flavor to the sauce and makes it tasteful.
DIRECTIONS
Here are a few simple steps that you have to follow to get this done in no more than 5 minutes:
First, add the chickpeas to the blender cup, followed by the aquafaba, nutritional yeast, paprika, coconut aminos, mustard, apple cider vinegar, arrowroot starch, and garlic salt.
Then seal the lid and start blending the ingredients for about 30 seconds. Now, add more aquafaba to adjust the consistency of the vegan cheese sauce (you can also add some water). Blend for 15 more seconds if required.
When you reach the desired consistency, transfer the vegan cheese sauce to a bowl and serve immediately with your favorite vegan snacks. Store the leftover sauce in the refrigerator for a week!
What to love about this Easy Vegan Cheese Sauce? Well, it’s:
- Savory and flavorful.
- Super easy to make.
- Ready in 5 minutes or less.
- It has that cheesy flavor we all need!
- Creamy and rich.
- So delicious and versatile.
Let’s prepare this yummy sauce!
WATCH THE STEP-BY-STEP VIDEO!
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RECIPE AND INSTRUCTIONS
EASY VEGAN CHEESE SAUCE
Ingredients
- 1 can chickpeas 15 ounces chickpeas can, including the liquid (aquafaba).
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- 1 tbsp coconut aminos
- ½ tsp smoked paprika if you don’t like the smoky flavor, use regular paprika.
- 1 ½ tsp yellow mustard
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp arrowroot or tapioca starch.
- 1 tsp garlic salt or more to taste*.
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to blender** and blend at high speed until the mixture is smooth (around 30 sec). You can adjust the consistency by adding water or more aquafaba to thin the sauce.
- Transfer to a bowl to enjoy this sauce as a dip, or with your pasta and veggies. If you want to store it for other uses, keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for 5 to 7 days.
Notes
- * If you avoid salt, you can sub for ½ tsp of garlic powder and ½ tsp of onion powder.
- ** If you don’t have a strong blender, consider using a bullet blender. It works best for this type of creams, spreads, or sauces to get the right texture.
- For more flavor, add cumin powder to this sauce. You can also use cayenne pepper or red chili flakes instead of paprika. You can get creative and try different spices to see which flavor you love the most.
- This sauce thickens as it sits in the fridge. You can thin it out by adding hot water and mixing.
- For a stretchy and thicker sauce as a dip for tortillas or a spread on pasta, you can gently cook this sauce while whisking, about 1-2 minutes in a saucepan.
WAYS TO ENJOY THIS EASY VEGAN CHEESE SAUCE
There are so many ways you can enjoy this recipe. You can serve it as a cold dip or a hot dip. Moreover, you can also use it as a topping on your dishes. Here are a few ideas on what to serve with this vegan cheese sauce:
- Tortilla chips/nachos: this cheesy vegan dip is a hit with tortilla chips or nachos.
- Serve it as a dip with veggies like carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.
- Over your roasted or steamed veggies.
- Prepare and enjoy your healthy homemade mac and cheese with this sauce. My kids love it! You could also prepare baked pasta as well.
- Add this to your creamy soups for a touch of cheesy flavor.
- Drizzle it on every food; it’s that versatile!
And if you’re hungry for more sauces like this one, try these recipes:
DID YOU MAKE THIS EASY VEGAN CHEESE SAUCE?
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