How to make a cheese sauce without milk

This one-pan, 7-ingredient, 5-minute vegan cheese sauce is super simple to make and versatile for pasta, burgers, as a vegan nacho cheese sauce, drizzled over veggies, etc. – Plus, this recipe is cashew, potato/carrot, and blender-free!

Rich and Creamy 5-Minute Easy Vegan Cheese Sauce

For years, cheese was one of the main reasons holding people back from switching to veganism. However, in 2022, it’s never been easier to leave dairy behind, thanks to the abundance of store-bought and homemade cheese alternatives like this gooey, creamy, cheesy vegan cheese sauce recipe!

When it comes to dairy-free cheese sauce recipes, there are plenty of options. Some use cashew nuts and others rely on veggies like potatoes and carrots. However, they take much more effort and are far longer to prepare than this version. All this recipe requires is a quick 2-minute roux, whisking in the remaining ingredients, and stirring until thickened—voila!

The result is what I consider the best vegan cheese sauce for your low-effort and last-minute needs. It’s silky, creamy, and delicious for dipping, drizzling/ pouring, spreading, and mixing into dishes like vegan pasta, risotto, lasagna, pizza, burgers, using it as vegan nacho cheese, and more. Of course, if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to use this versatile dairy-free cheese sauce with everything!

Oh, and did I mention that all it requires is just 5 minutes, one saucepan, a handful of pantry staples, and your favorite vegan cheese (as long as it melts well)? Swap out the vegan cheese based on your desired flavor and nutritional requirements (i.e., nut-free, gluten-free, etc.). Easy peasy!

The Ingredients

All you need for this vegan cheese sauce recipe is a handful of pantry staples and your favorite vegan cheese!

• Plant-based milk: Use your favorite plant-based milk. i.e., coconut milk (canned full-fat to make a richer sauce), cashew milk, almond milk, soy milk, rice milk, etc.
• Flour: I used regular all-purpose wheat flour. Gluten-free AP flour should also work.

If you want more of a melted vegan cheese with ‘goopy’/ stretchy consistency, you can use tapioca flour to thicken the vegan cheese sauce recipe instead of making a flour roux. In that case, you can make the recipe oil-free, too. Just add all the ingredients to the saucepan, whisk, and stir until thickened. Cornstarch would also work to thicken but won’t provide the ‘goopy’ texture.

• Oil: Any neutral cooking oil will work. Vegetable oil, canola oil, avocado oil, etc. Vegan butter would also work.
• Spices: To add extra depth to the vegan cheese dip/sauce, you’ll need:
  • Onion powder
  • Garlic powder
  • Salt (kosher/ sea salt is best)
• Vegan cheese: To make this vegan cheese sauce recipe super simple, I’ve relied on using melty vegan cheese shreds (change the type based on your desired flavor). You can use nut-free cheese, gluten-free, soy-free, etc. Just make sure that it melts well to disperse into the sauce. Read the FAQs for a substitute.

What Else Could I add?

There are several options you have to choose from to add depth to this vegan cheese sauce recipe – whether you want a subtle flavor boost/depth or to transform it into a delicious vegan nacho cheese sauce.

• Nutritional yeast: To boost the ‘cheesy’ flavor, add some nutritional yeast to the vegan cheese dip/sauce. I recommend starting with a teaspoon and increasing to taste.
• Smoked paprika: A pinch of smoked paprika will add a subtle smokiness to the vegan cheese sauce recipe.
• Mustard: Mustard is a classic add-in to dairy-free cheese sauce for a subtle yet delicious depth. Use regular yellow mustard or Dijon mustard. Ground mustard powder will also work.
• Black pepper: Added to taste.
• Lemon juice: A splash of lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, or pickle juice (use jalapeño pickle juice for added heat) for extra bright and tangy depth.
• Vegan nacho cheese: While, technically, you could serve the base recipe over nachos, you can boost it even further with a pinch of chili powder and some smoked paprika. A few drops of lemon or lime juice (or the brine from pickled jalapenos) will add further depth. I also love topping vegan nacho cheese with some red salsa or chopped pickled jalapeños.

How to Make Vegan Cheese Sauce?

• 1) First, preheat a small saucepan over medium heat and add the oil. Then, lower the heat to, sprinkle in the flour, and stir until the roux has a smooth consistency.

• 2) Add the remaining ingredients and heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until everything melts and the sauce thickens.

• 3) Give the vegan cheese sauce a taste and adjust any of the seasonings to taste, then enjoy!

Adjust how much dairy-free milk you add based on whether you want a thicker vegan nacho cheese sauce or spread, a slightly thick dip, or thinner vegan cheese sauce to drizzle, etc.

FAQs

Top Recipe Tips and Notes

• Adjust the thickness: If the dairy-free cheese sauce is too thick, add a little more plant-based milk. If it’s too thin, add more flour (in a slurry, so the sauce is lump-free).
• For a richer color: The color will vary depending on what vegan cheese you use. Add a pinch of turmeric powder if you want more of a golden yellow vegan nacho cheese/ cheese sauce.
• For the creamiest consistency: Use thicker, high-fat dairy-free milk like canned coconut milk.
• Adjust the seasonings: Adjust any of the seasonings to taste.
• For a stretchy vegan cheese sauce: Add some tapioca starch (or substitute the flour entirely) to the sauce. It not only thickens but creates a stretchy, gooey consistency, too—like dairy-based melted cheese sauce.

Storage Instructions

Fridge: I love using vegan cheese sauce immediately for the best texture. However, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Reheat: Reheat the sauce gently on the stovetop or in a microwave, adding a splash of dairy-free milk or vegetable broth to loosen it and bring it back to the correct consistency.

How To Use Vegan Cheese Sauce?

You can use this dairy-free cheese sauce in the same ways you’d use the dairy version, meaning it’s SUPER versatile. So whether you want a vegan nacho cheese sauce or a dip or spread, here are some of my favorite uses.

• Mix into pasta dishes (like vegan mac n’ cheese)
• Use to make vegan cauliflower cheese and gratins
• Pour over vegan nachos, burrito bowls, burritos, tacos, fajitas, enchiladas, and more
• With cooked vegetables like Air Fryer Butternut Squash or steamed/roasted broccoli or asparagus, etc.
• Drizzle over a baked potato or these Hasselback Potatoes
• To dip chips (like tortilla chips), crackers, and crudites
• Serve with fries
• Drizzle over grain bowls
• Dollop over vegan pizza and use as a dipping sauce for pizza rolls
• Serve over stuffed vegetables like these jalapeno poppers
• Use in a vegan lasagna

If you try this easy vegan cheese sauce recipe, I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments below. I’d also really appreciate a recipe card rating!

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