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This hidden veggie nacho cheese sauce recipe is a delicious dairy-free/vegan alternative that happens to also be nut-free. Grab yourself some chips because this stuff is perfect for dipping!
Let me tell you a little bit about this delicious, veggie packed nacho cheese sauce. It is…
- Dairy free + Nut Free: This nacho cheese sauce is vegan which means it is already naturally dairy free and plant based. However, most vegan cheese sauces contain cashews but this one is also completely nut free. Also happens to be gluten free, making it a great recipe for people with a variety of food restrictions.
- Easy To Make: Just blend everything together in a high powered blender to achieve a smooth and creamy consistency.
- Delicious + Totally Addictive: This is the most important part! Perfect for when those snack cravings hit!
Just note that this sauce will not taste identical to a traditional dairy-based nacho cheese sauce like my recipe for Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce. Although it has a similar flavor profile, it is a completely different sauce. But don’t worry, it is still incredibly delicious and super versatile!
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make this Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce recipe, you will need:
- Veggies: You will need potato, carrot and red bell pepper. I like the texture best of thin skinned white or yellow potatoes vs a starchy potato.
- Nutritional Yeast: This gives the sauce its’ “cheesy” flavour.
- Water: To thin out the sauce.
- Avocado Oil: Provides richness.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed.
- Spices: Combo of spices to create that “nacho” flavour: onion powder, garlic powder, ground cumin, paprika, ground turmeric, salt and cayenne pepper.
Detailed ingredient list and directions located in the recipe card below.
How To Make Veggie Nacho Cheese Sauce
In order to make this delicious, hidden veggie nacho cheese sauce, simply…
- Boil chopped potato and carrot. Add the chopped potato and carrot to a small pot, cover with water and boil until very soft.
- Add everything else to blender. Meanwhile, add the remaining ingredients into a blender and set aside.
- Blend Blend Blend. Drain the potatoes and carrots and add them to the other ingredients already in the blender. Blend on high until smooth and creamy.
- Season and serve. Season to taste with salt and cayenne pepper. Add more water or avocado oil if needed to achieve the desired consistency. Serve with tortilla chips or one of the ways listed below!
Ways To Use It
This sauce is super versatile and can be used in a variety of ways. Here are a few ideas:
- Serve it as a dip with tortilla chips, veggies or fries.
- Drizzle it over steamed broccoli, baked potatoes or nachos.
- Make a pasta dish by simply mixing it together with some cooked pasta or as part of a more elaborate casserole type dish.
- Use it in any “cheesy” way you can think of!
Possible Variations
Looking to customize this veggie nacho cheese recipe? Here are a few ideas…
- Turn up the heat! Make it spicy by adding in more cayenne, your favorite hot sauce or some jalapenos.
- Change up the spices! You can adjust the spices to suit your own tastes. For example, you could substitute the spices with approx. 2 tsp chili powder seasoning blend (plus salt to taste). Or you could also use this homemade fajita seasoning.
- Top it! Jazz it up by adding some toppings like green onions, jalapenos, pico de gallo, etc.
Some Helpful Tips
Tips For A Smooth Consistency
The two most important things to ensure you end up with a smooth and creamy consistency are to:
- Make sure to cook your potatoes and carrots until they are very soft!
- Use a high-powered blender! It can make all the difference between sauces that are perfectly smooth and those that still have little bits in them. This is the Vitamix blender that I personally have owned for a few years and love!
Storage + Reheating Tips
Store leftover sauce in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in a small pot over low heat. If it is too thick, simply whisk in a bit of water until the desired consistency is achieved.
Did you make this Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce recipe? Let me know in the comments below!
Hidden Veggie Nacho Cheese Sauce
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Total Time: 25 min
- Yield: approx. 1 1/4 cups
- Category: Appetizer, Sauce
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: American, Tex Mex
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This hidden veggie nacho cheese sauce recipe is a delicious dairy-free/vegan alternative that happens to also be nut-free. Grab yourself some chips because this stuff is perfect for dipping!
Ingredients
- 1 cup peeled and chopped potatoes (thin skinned white or yellow potato)
- 1/2 cup peeled and chopped carrots
- 1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper (approx. 1/2 a pepper)
- 1/4 – 1/2 cup nutritional yeast (depends on the intensity that you prefer – I like using 1/2 cup)
- 3 tablespoons water
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (approx. 1/2 lemon)
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
- sea salt and cayenne pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Boil potatoes and carrots: Place the chopped potatoes and carrots in a small pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook until very soft (approx. 10-15 min).
- Prep remaining ingredients: Meanwhile, add the remaining ingredients (except for salt and cayenne) into a high speed blender and set aside.
- Blend: Drain the cooked potatoes and carrots and add to the blender. Blend on high until smooth. Add more water or avocado oil if needed to achieve the perfect consistency.
- Season + Serve: Season to taste with salt and cayenne pepper. Serve immediately or keep warm in a small pot over very low heat until ready to serve.
Notes
- Storage + Reheating: Store leftover sauce in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in a small pot over low heat (whisking in a bit of water if too thick).
- Smooth Consistency: To achieve a smooth and creamy texture, make sure to cook your potatoes and carrots until they are very soft and use a high speed blender like this Vitamix that I love.
- Ways To Use It: Serve it as a dip with tortilla chips, veggies or fries. Drizzle it over steamed broccoli, baked potatoes, nachos or pasta. Can be used in any “cheesy” way you can think of
⬇ PIN it for later! ⬇
I did the 1/2 cup of yeast, 1 tsp of salt, pinch of cayenne and added two tbsps extra of my leftover boiled veg water.
I wouldn’t say for sure that this is exactly like nacho cheese my dairy friends eat but it sure comes as close as I can imagine a vegan cheese can get.
First time making any vegan form of cheese and I am not sure what I am looking for in flavour wise but this was very easy to make and delicious. Thanks for posting =)
I would recommend adding all the spices listed in the recipe card to give it more of that nacho cheese flavor! Even then it will never be identical to a nacho cheese sauce made from actual cheese but the spice mix listed provides amazing flavor so I would recommend trying it as written (I sometimes add that mix of spices to popcorn as well for a nacho cheese flavor).
Wow, what a delicious alternative! I love how much healthier this is but still so creamy and addicting. Thanks!
It definitely is a tasty alternative!
I’m so pumped to try this recipe, what a fantastic idea! Love that it’s not the same old cashew type sauce that’s out there. Thanks so much for sharing.
Thanks! I hope you love it!
Totally gonna try this one. I ‘ve been searching for a good vegan cheesy recipe. Thanks!
Enjoy!
When I read dairy-free and nut-free, I was intrigued by how you would get a cheesy flavour that is also thick. What a cool idea, will have to give this a try next time we have tex-mex for dinner!
The texture is magical – nice to have another option!
I was at Costco yesterday and saw vegan queso. I sent my daughter a pic and she was so excited. I bet she’ll be REALLY excited when I send her this recipe!!
Hope she loves it as much as I do!
I LOVE how nutritious this cheese sauce is! I’m a sucker for nachos and cheese, so this sauce is definitely calling my name. I would feel pretty good serving this one to my kiddos!
So nice to have some snacking alternatives that you can feel good about!
Such a delicious alternative! Love that it is loaded with veggies, good for you spices, oil, and nutritional yeast. I am sure it tastes amazing!
It is definitely delicious regardless if somebody is vegan or not:)