After a week of particularly bad eating (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Halloween… the usual suspects), I like to get back on track with a vegan week. Being vegan isn’t so bad: until you remember cheese. This definitely isn’t a vegan week– in fact, my grocery bill was probably 50% cheese this week (Hello, pound of gouda!), but this “cheese” sauce is so amazing and easier to make than a real cheese sauce. It’s my go to recipe to put on tacos, spread on sandwiches, or pour over Mexican stuffed peppers (recipe tomorrow ;-)).
The sauce’s not-so-secret ingredient is nutritional yeast. If you’ve never tried it, don’t be scared off by the name. It is NOT the same as baker’s yeast. I’ve read some pretty funny reviews of other recipes online from someone using the wrong kind of yeast (“nasty spackle” comes to mind!). I find mine in the bulk section of a local health store.
Nutritional yeast isn’t exactly like cheese– it has a little more of an earthy, mushroomy taste. The sauce is very delicious, but if you try it thinking you’ll have nacho cheese, you’ll be pretty turned off. I made that mistake the first few times I used nutritional yeast, and it took me a couple of tries before I really appreciated the taste.
Update: Looking for some more ways to use this cheese sauce? Try a quesadilla, enchilada, stuffed pepper, chili meatball sub, or TVP tacos. You can tell I make this sauce a LOT!
Tagged with: Cheap • Dairy Free • Egg Free • Gluten Free • Nut Free • Quick • Soy Free • Vegan • Vegetarian
[…] bell pepper, Vegan Cheese Sauce (stove top or microwave), tomato, and any other veggies you have on […]
great recipe! I smeared my on some ribs
[…] 2 c sharp cheddar (Vegan option: use Daiya or drizzle with vegan cheese sauce or microwave vegan cheese sauce after […]
I am looking for a quick easy cheese sauce with ingredients i have in my kitchen. This looks super easy but I don’t have liquid smoke. Will it affect the flavor a lot or will it be okay without it?
Apologies for the delay! It will be fine. If you have smoked paprika I would sub that in. I make it without all the time. It’s moderately less cheesy but still great.
[…] up, microwave nacho cheese. I didn’t know this easy vegan nacho cheese could get any easier, but apparently it can! Even better, you can make a big batch of the mix so […]
This was so delicious! I can’t wait to make it again. I’m cutting out dairy and this will make it so much easier. I thinned it a little more based on the meal I was making but it was seriously amazing. So happy to keep Mexican food on the menu!
I’m so glad you liked it — comments like this are my favorite! I make this cheese sauce at least once a week. I’m hooked on it!
[…] when possible (I eat enough soy as it is in everything else!). I almost went with my typical vegan cheese sauce, but this recipe demanded something a little more decadent. Cashews help add a luscious quality […]
[…] it perfect for TVP tacos. Though I eat cheese, nutritional yeast is my favorite cheese swap. Nacho cheese sauce made in minutes, and there’s no need to spend forever sourcing your cheeses to make sure they […]
This is so happening! Thanks girl!
[…] so all you have left is to make the cheese sauce and slap it in a bun. I started with my vegan nacho cheese sauce in mind but took a few turns and made something different. There is normally some amount of […]
[…] minutes! They’re pretty minimally topped in the pictures, but I love to load mine up with vegan cheese sauce, taco sauce, sour cream, and a super ton of lettuce. I’m curious if anyone else has ever […]
How long does it stay for?
in the fridge it keeps for at least 5 days. You may need to add a little more liquid when you reheat it to keep it smooth
[…] rice 1 cup frozen corn or 1/2 a can of corn, drained Additions Vegan Cheese Sauce (I used this recipe from Hidden Fruits and Veggies, though I did not add the liquid smoke) Romaine Lettuce Elise […]
[…] for Vegan Cheese Sauce or other cheese sauce, […]
[…] topped mine with vegan cheese sauce and a little taco sauce (because frankly, I’m a little obsessed with it), but I think once […]
This sounds great! I usually use Daiya cheese but no its processed so I have been on the lookout for an alternative! This sounds great! Thank you for sharing. Love + Shine CourtStar
Let me know how you like it!
I bought nutritional yeast a month ago and LOVE it. I still eat real cheese but nutritional yeast saves me the tummy the trouble. This would be good poured over veggies!
I’m about in the same boat as you. I eat cheese and other dairy, but I feel so much better when I don’t.
Love your blog! I’m a huge queso fan and so I definitely have to try this recipe. It looks delish!
Thanks! 😀
Thank you! The last recipe I found used a nut butter and it came out just tasting like nut butter. Delicious, but not good for nachos!
Ha! This will definitely taste more cheesey than nut butter 😉