Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce (Nut-Free!)

Say hello to the best creamy Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce made without cashews or other nuts! It’s actually boasting with nutrition as it’s packed with secret veggies and fiber for a healthy, dairy-free indulgent dip or sauce.

Post updated: 4/10/24

Oh my heavens! If you’ve been looking for a dairy-free nacho cheese sauce, you’ve landed in the right spot! I am so excited to share this nut-free vegan nacho cheese sauce with you today. It’s so easy to make, it’s creamy, it’s thick, it has that smokey nacho cheese flavor and only requires 9 ingredients! There’s some sneaky carrots in there, and my favorite sneaky ingredient… butter beans!

The Cheese Sauce Ingredients

Butter beans. I love using sneaky beans in this recipe! I like butter beans because they are light, very neutral in flavor, and creamier than other beans. I have tried this recipe with cannelini beans and it was also good, but I do prefer the butter beans. I found the cheese sauce to be a bit more starchy when using beans other than butter beans. But I do realize they can be harder to find.

Carrots. You may use shredded carrots (easier prep work if you buy them from the store!) or carrot peels that you peel yourself from large, full carrots with a vegetable peeler. I’ve made this cheese sauce using both and both work great. The carrots also help give this cheese sauce it’s magnificent nacho color!

Nutritional yeast. Nutritional yeast brings the cheesy flavor while also packing in some protein and B12 like real cheese! 😉 It also helps with the color.

Garlic. Garlic brings out the best flavor in vegan cheeses. For this recipe you’ll need 1 teaspoon of minced garlic. I buy mine pre-minced for ease.

Tapioca starch/flour. Tapioca starch helps to thicken the sauce so it’s not watery. You will need 3 tablespoons.

Apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar adds just a little bit of tanginess and zing to this nacho cheese sauce. You will need 1 teaspoon.

Plant milk. I used flax milk in this recipe, but feel free to use another plant-based milk of choice- such as oat or soy milk. You may also use cashew or almond, but note that if you use a nut-based milk, this recipe is no longer nut-free.

Smoked paprika. Smoked paprika give this cheese sauce a great smokey, nacho flavor! Don’t skip this ingredient 😉

Salt. You will need 1 teaspoon of salt.

The color is magnificent from the carrots- the real nacho cheese vibe without turmeric or added artificial coloring. The beans allow this cheese dip to contain fiber and a little bit of protein too!

My other secret ingredient to give it that smokey nacho cheese flavor (and also deepen the color) is a pinch of smoked paprika! I used flax milk in this nacho cheese sauce, but you can also use oat milk, coconut milk, or other plant milk- just keep in mind if you use almond or cashew milk it’s no longer nut-free.

How To Make This Cheese Sauce In 10 Minutes

In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute the garlic until it starts to turn golden. Whisk in the tapioca starch until it absorbs all the oil, then add the nutritional yeast and salt. Whisk to combine.

Next, add the plant milk and whisk until the mixture is relatively smooth.

Transfer the mixture to a blender along with the shredded carrots or carrot peels and beans, apple cider vinegar, and paprika. Blend on high until very smooth and creamy. Option to add a splash more plant milk if you desire a thinner consistency.

Note: I previously said to place the beans and carrots into a microwave safe bowl, cover with water and microwave for a couple of minutes. I have since removed this step because it’s not needed and it also allows the carrots and beans to retain more nutrients blending them in this cheese sauce raw.

Enjoy this Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce with chips, fresh veggies, steamed veggies like broccoli, tossed with pasta for some delicious Mac n’ cheese, on baked potatoes, scalloped potatoes, enchiladas, gluten-free soft pretzels… I mean, so many uses for this magic cheesy goodness! I personally love this nacho cheese sauce drizzled over my Fajita Roasted Potatoes!

Check out these other awesome homemade sauce swaps while you’re here!

I hope this Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce satisfies all your nacho cravings! And if you make it, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram or Facebook @HealthyLittleVittles #healthylittlevittles !

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