Vegan Cheese Sauce [Nut-Free, Oil-Free, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free]

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This tasty and easy-to-make Vegan Cheese Sauce is gluten-free, nut-free, oil-free and soy-free. Pour it on all your favorite veggies…or even French fries. You can also mix it with pasta for a rich and creamy mac and cheese.

First, I’d like to share a little diddy I call The Day I Gave Up Cheese.

♪ Not so long long ago
I can still remember how
That che-ese used to make me smile
And I knew if I had my cheese
It would make me feel at ease
And then I would be happy for a while

But Veganuary made me consider
Giving up dairy cheese forever
I knew that as I wept
I’d just take it step by step

I tried and tried and tried and tried
To let it go with all my might
Something brought me to my knees
The day I gave up cheese

So…

Bye, bye cheddar cheese-laden fries
Now my cheese is made from carrots and potatoes, oh my!
And those good ole cows are letting out a big sigh
Singin’, “this is a cheese you gotta try…
This is a cheese you gotta try.” ♫

Prize winning song parody? Maybe.

A winning vegan cheese sauce recipe? Heck yeah!

But before we get into the delicious details, let’s check out the backstory, shall we?

Veganuary 2019

As mentioned in my masterpiece above, I took part in the Veganuary challenge this year. Going in, I knew it was was going to be tough for this self-proclaimed “cheeseivore” to give up her FAVORITE food…cheese!

Side note: When I say cheese was my “favorite food,” that is an understatement. I was OBSESSED with cheese. In fact, my parents would joke around saying that my first word was “cheese.” I used to put gourmet cheese balls and crackers on my Christmas list. As a teenager, I had a cheese poster on my wall. I even said that I could give up coffee and chocolate but NEVER. EVER. CHEESE.

I have to admit there were a few slip ups here and there, but I made it through most of January without cheese. When the month was over, I surprisingly found myself compelled to continue eating this way.

Today, I’m proud to say that I have officially cut all dairy products (including my formerly beloved cheese) from my diet. I can honestly say that I feel much healthier and have also noticed a drastic improvement in my asthma symptoms.

So, while I won’t be enjoying “cheddar cheese-laden” fries anytime soon, I will be enjoying vegan cheese-laden fries instead.

So, how did this one-time poster child for cheese give it up? I found just as satisfying alternatives, that’s how. I’m not going to lie to you…it took A LOT of experimenting with making homemade cheeses and taste-testing store-bought ones. There are some amazing vegan cheeses available today. Vegan cheese making has definitely come a long way.

Speaking of cheese making, let’s get to it…

How to make nut-free vegan cheese sauce

I opted to use pumpkin seeds instead of cashews since they worked so well in my Vegan Parmesan Cheese. Personally, I think they make the sauce a little more tangy, along the lines of a sharp cheddar. And they allow the sauce to stay nut-free, so those with nut allergies can enjoy it too.

To soften the pumpkin seeds, cover them with boiling water and set them aside for 20 minutes.

I like to use my BREVO electric kettle to boil water because it does the job much faster than on the stovetop.

In addition to the pumpkin seeds, the base of this sauce is also made with carrots and potatoes. So, while the pumpkin seeds are soaking, peel and cut the potatoes and carrots into very small chunks. Add the potatoes and carrots to a 2-quart pot.

Cover with water, and bring to a boil and cook until tender (approximately 10 minutes). Add nutritional yeast, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, turmeric, lemon juice and water to a high-powered blender.

Drain pumpkin seeds along with the potatoes and carrots in a mesh strainer and add to the blender.

Secure the lid and blend on high, scraping down the sides as needed, until the ingredients are well-incorporated and the sauce is smooth and creamy (approximately 2 minutes). If you like your cheese sauce a little thinner, you can add more water in 1-tablespoon increments, blending in between, until desired consistency is reached.

What can this gluten-free, vegan cheese sauce be used for?

This creamy cheese sauce is perfect to serve over veggies such as broccoli or cauliflower or as a condiment for French fries, baked potatoes and even tacos. It can also be mixed with your favorite pasta for a rich and hearty mac and cheese.

So, what do you think? Let me know in the comments below. 🙂

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5 from 6 votes

Vegan Cheese Sauce [Nut-Free, Oil-Free, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free]

This tasty and easy-to-make Vegan Cheese Sauce is gluten-free, nut-free and oil-free. Pour it on all your favorite veggies...or even French fries. You can also mix it with pasta for a rich and creamy mac and cheese.

Course Condiment

Cuisine Gluten-Free, Vegan

Keyword gluten free, nut free, oil free, soy-free, vegan, vegan cheese

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 6

Calories 67kcal

Author Sherri Hall

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
• 1 3/4 cup yukon gold potatoes (peeled and chopped into small chunks)
• 1 cup carrots (peeled and chopped into small chunks)
• 1/2 cup filtered water *Plus more if desired. See notes below.
• 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
• 2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/8 tsp turmeric

Instructions

• Cover pumpkin seeds with boiling water and set aside for 20 minutes
  
• While the pumpkin seeds are soaking, peel and cut potatoes and carrots into very small chunks.
• Add the potatoes and carrots to a 2-quart pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender (approximately 10 minutes).
• Add water, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt, garlic powder, onion powder and  turmeric to a high-powered blender. 
• Drain pumpkin seeds along with the potatoes and carrots in a mesh strainer and add to the blender.
• Secure the lid and blend on high, scraping down the sides as needed, until the ingredients are well-incorporated and the sauce is smooth and creamy (approximately 2 minutes) . 

Notes

*If the sauce is too thick for your liking, you can add more water in 1-tablespoon increments (up to 3 additional tablespoons), re-blending in between.

Cheese sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Reheat leftovers in a microwave safe dish in 15-second intervals, stirring in between. You can also reheat in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until heated throughout.

The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. Accuracy is not guaranteed. Information shown should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Nutrition

Calories: 67kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 796mg | Potassium: 367mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 71.3% | Vitamin C: 9.2% | Calcium: 2.2% | Iron: 11.8%

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