A silky smooth, lusciously creamy, Vegan Cheese Sauce that is nut-free, gluten-free, low in fat, high in protein and can be whipped up in your blender in minutes! It's one of my favourite super quick dinners. Toss it through freshly cooked pasta and serve alongside some veggies or a salad. Dinner done fast!
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"Hands down the best vegan cheese sauce I’ve tried yet!!!"
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This super easy Vegan Cheese Sauce is a game-changer. It's seriously good and like my Cauliflower Alfredo, it's nut-free, gluten-free, and really low in fat.
There aren't many nut-free vegan cheese sauce recipes around. Cashews tend to be used on repeat for creamy sauces in the vegan world, like in my cashew cheese sauce recipe, and although they make a really tasty, glossy, yummy sauce that I love, hey, sometimes there are times when you could use a recipe without them.
Maybe you have guests with allergies, maybe you don't want to spend an arm and a leg on a bag of nuts (cashews aren't exactly cheap!), or maybe you are trying to eat a low-fat diet. Whatever the reason you want a nut-free vegan cheese sauce, I've got you covered, because this tofu cheese sauce recipe is just perfect.
It's a super simple Vegan Cheese Sauce, made in seconds, and it's luscious, smooth and creamy and can be used in any recipe where you want a thick, creamy, cheesy sauce. And did I mention it's got no nuts, no gluten, and no fat in it? I did but I feel the need to repeat myself.
Ingredients
Here is what you need at a glance, along with some important ingredient notes:
- Silken tofu - The tofu used must be silken (any firmness of silken tofu), or soft tofu. Don't use medium, firm or extra firm tofu as you won't get the intended texture or flavor. This sauce is super, super velvety and smooth. Much more so than a nut-based sauce and it tastes lighter. That's all because of the silken tofu.
- Nutritional yeast - This is what gives the sauce its cheesy flavor.
- Dairy-free milk - This must be unsweetened and unflavored. Be sure to check the ingredients list before you use it. Many dairy-free milks have added sugar or vanilla and you don't want these in a cheese sauce recipe.
- White wine vinegar - A little acidity and sharpness is necessary and white wine vinegar does that job while also enhancing the cheesy flavor. It is the best choice however you can use apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar if you don't have any.
- Dijon, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika - This combination adds lots of flavor and enhances the cheesiness of the nutritional yeast.
Nutritional Yeast
Please be sure to use good-tasting nutritional yeast when making this recipe. All nutritional yeasts are not created equally. Some brands taste a lot better than others.
Bob's Red Mill nutritional yeast is one I don't recommend as you won't get the intended cheesy flavour. I love most of their products but their nooch is not great. Same with Braggs. They are both ok used in small amounts but in a recipe where you use a lot like this it will make a big difference to the overall result. I like the brands Hoosier Farms (in the USA), or Everland (if you are in Canada).
How To Make Vegan Cheese Sauce
This simple, Vegan Cheese Sauce couldn't be easier to make:
- Put the ingredients in a blender or a food processor and blend.
- Pour into a pan and warm through gently on the stovetop or use in any recipe calling for cheese sauce.
It's the easiest vegan sauce ever, and because all of the ingredients are super soft, you don't need a fancy pants high powered blender to make it silky smooth. Any blender or food processor should be able to take care of it.
Serving Suggestions
The possibilities are endless. Stir through pasta for a quick and simple dinner, use it as a dip, drizzle it on nachos, add to casseroles and pasta dishes, or serve with vegetables.
Recipe
Easy Vegan Cheese Sauce (no nuts!)
Author:WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Ingredients
- 12 oz (340 grams) silken or soft tofu
- ½ cup (35 grams) nutritional yeast , make sure it's a good tasting one
- 1½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika , or chipotle powder
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt , adjust as necessary if using table salt
- ½ cup (120 mls) dairy-free milk , it must be unsweetened & unflavored
INSTRUCTIONS
- Add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend until completely smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
- Warm the sauce through gently in a pan on the stove top before serving, or use in your favorite recipes.
NOTES
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Jonathan Holmes says
Any chance I csn do this with medium firm fava bean tofu? My wife is allergic to tofu
Melanie McDonald says
For the best silky textured sauce it really needs to be made with silken tofu. With regular tofu it isn't as smooth and doesn't heat/cook as well. If that's all you can use though I'd have a go for sure. I'm sure it would be more than edible. You will probably need to add a bit more milk and maybe more seasonings to taste if the flavor of the tofu comes through. I've never tried fava bean tofu so I'm not sure what the flavor is like/if it's as neutral as silken tofu. Hope that helps!
cindy brown says
awesome.......... really great and healthy and protein because of the tofu! Thank you so much, Melanie.......... it's recipes like this that make it easier to be vegan and to make my Self, the animals and the planet healthier....................!!!!!
Melanie McDonald says
You're welcome, Cindy. I'm so pleased you enjoyed it!
Larry says
I made this last night, and it was fantastic!
Nina says
This is a must try! I was skeptical of using silken tofu after using it in other recipes and something always tasting off. That was not the case here. I love how easy and affordable this “cheese” recipe is- no need to soak nuts or boil veggies only to end up with a grainy/ tacky sauce . Absolutely delicious! I used the sauce in a wrap and over pasta. Thanks for sharing!
Jenna H says
Best cheese sauce I’ve ever tried. Thank you!!!
Steve says
Really tasty, smooth, and simple. Excellent on nachos (with some added heat of course), and on raw as well as cooked veggies. Thanks for all the research you did, and double thanks for offering it up to the world. Much appreciated!
Melanie McDonald says
You're welcome, Steve. So pleased you're enjoying the recipe!
Kori Clark says
Finally a delicious vegan cheese sauce without being laden with calories from cashews. Thank you!
Lynne says
By far the easiest and tastiest 'cheese sauce' recipe I've tried.
Tasha says
So easy and delicious !
Carolyn says
I made this (I ALWAYS keep extra-firm silken tofu on hand). It turned out perfectly. More so, because I also added roasted red-peppers, really kicked up the flavor. Thank you so much!!
Donna says
Absolutely amazing! Thank you so much for sharing this, it's going to be so helpful on my plant-based adventure.
Caroline says
Question: Can you use the shelf style tofu (Mori-nu) or should you use a silken tofu in water tub style?
Melanie McDonald says
I always use the shelf stable Mori-nu style silken tofu. I've never seen silken tofu packed in water.
Alocasia says
This came out perfect with the ACV. I love getting away from the cashew cheeses for a change. We'll definitely be making this often.
Alocasia says
I'd like to try this today. I understand you don't recommend subbing, but white wine vinegar is the only vinegar I don't have. I have red wine, apple cider, white balsamic, plain, balsamic, sherry, rice....any of these doable for a substitute or am I going shopping? :)
Melanie McDonald says
Apple cider will be the best sub. Hope you enjoy it!
Krys says
I subbed it for some ginger beer ( i had an open bottle in the fridge) gave a light ginger flavor in there, also roasted a pepper and a head of garlic and some fresh basil. Worked perfect <3 This will be lovely on my nachos later.
Tracy says
This was great! I've tried so many other vegan cheese sauce recipes which always turn out ok but have lots of other steps involved. I love how quickly and easily this one comes together! Even hubby, who is not a fan of tofu, thought it was lovely (although I didn't tell him until after he ate it! ;) ) Thank you!!
Melanie McDonald says
So pleased you're enjoying it! My husband won't eat tofu but has been eating this for years. I still haven't told him! 🤣
Heather M Quinn says
I have been wanting to make a yummy casserole. Can I throw raw veggies into the cheese mix then "cook it again" since it's already technically done? I was worried that the cheese might taste a bit burned..
Melanie McDonald says
I've used it in lasagna and it was fine so should be ok!