Easy Creamy Vegan Cheese Sauce

This Easy Creamy Vegan Cheese Sauce also works great as a vegan cheese dip to serve with nachos, veggie sandwiches, and more.

Weekly Eating

If you were to look at our weekly menu of meals, you might be surprised to learn that we’re vegan. Maybe that’s because the names sound kind of familiar.

• Macaroni and Cheese
• Pepperoni Pizza
• Lasagna
• Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
• Loaded Jackfruit Nachos
• Chicken and Cheese Broccoli Casserole

These are all recipes on the cheesy side. Cheese and Vegans. They’re kind of oxymoronic. Archenemies. Nemeses.

As the infamous Pink Panther says, “Not anymore.” (best spoken with a French accent).

I made this Velvet Vegan Cheese Sauce recipe the other day and my daughter immediately declared it her favorite.

Of course, I think she says that about everything I make. I swear, she’s up to something! I’m expecting a request for something huge sometime soon.

What is Vegetarian Cheese Made Out Of?

This is my vegan Velveeta. I used to love that stuff when I was a kid. And then I became an adult and learned what it was made from.

So, this dairy-free cheese sauce is much better because it tastes amazing, and it’s actually healthy too. That’s because I use a lot of healthy ingredients to make it, like:

• chickpeas
• pumpkin puree
• nutritional yeast flakes
• garlic

Simple vegan cheese sauce can be as thick or as smooth and melty as you’d like it to be. Simply add more liquid for a smooth-flowing cheese sauce. I store this in the fridge and it thickens up as it cools.

Is This a Vegan Cashew Cheese?

A lot of people these days are making vegan cheese sauce with cashews. I’ve done that as well. Take, for example, my Vegan Mac and Cheese recipe. Adding cashews when making vegetarian cheese adds a creamy, rich texture.

However, this life-changing vegan cheese sauce (to quote my daughter) uses other techniques to make this sauce smooth and creamy. You’ll definitely want a food processor or a high-powered blender to make this as smooth as possible.

How to Make Vegan Cheese Sauce

To make this non-dairy cheese sauce, begin with a saucepan over medium heat. Add vegan butter and then flour to create a thick paste. Add hot water, coconut aminos, salt, garlic powder, turmeric (for color), and nutritional yeast flakes. Stir that all together.

In the meantime, add the following to a food processor: 1 can of pumpkin puree and one can of chickpeas (including the liquid). Pulse these two together until smooth. Then add this, along with a package of vegan cheddar shreds, to the rest of the ingredients in the saucepan. Cook until the cheese melts.

Make This Vegan Cheese Sauce Your Own

The best vegan cheese recipe is the one you like. With that in mind, this creamy sauce is a perfect base from which you can adapt to make it a favorite recipe for you and your family. Here are some ideas for how you could adapt this recipe:

• Add more garlic powder for a more garlicky flavor
• Try a cup or so of steamed cauliflower to add creaminess to this sauce
• If you want a smoky flavor, try adding a teaspoon or so of smoked paprika
• You should definitely salt and pepper to taste

This vegan cheese sauce is a perfect sauce for your everyday dishes. Dollop spoonfuls of it over freshly steamed veggies like broccoli or green beans.

Pour this cheeseless cheese over freshly cooked macaroni for your own vegan Mac and Cheese fest! Use it in place of  Velveeta in your favorite nacho cheese dips. You can even spread this cheese sauce on bread and make your own grilled cheese sandwich. There’s no end to the possibilities!

It’s surprising the things you can eat while living on a vegan diet. You don’t have to give up your favorite foods, just veganize them!

Now you know my secret ingredients. The pumpkin adds some delicious beta carotene, and the chickpeas provide a powerhouse of protein! So not only is this recipe delicious, but it’s also packed with fiber, protein, and healthy nutrients.

*Sigh*  Life is just too good.

Enjoy!