Vegan Cheddar Cheese Sauce (& Spread)!
This Vegan Cheddar Cheese Sauce is great as a spread on crackers and sandwiches, and it makes the absolute best vegan grilled cheese (check out the notes below for how to assemble a grilled cheese if desired!). This recipe is pretty easy to make and comes together in less than 30 minutes. If you want a delicious and cheesy experience but without the dairy, you've come to the right place! *Note that From Start to Finish is an estimate that includes time to prep your ingredients as well as complete the recipe directions. If you are also making a vegan grilled cheese with the sauce, that time is not included in this estimate.
Ingredients
- ½ cup raw cashews
- 1 small/medium carrot - roughly chopped
- 1.5 tablespoon tapioca starch
- 4 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- ¾ cup water
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground mustard
- ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Add your cashews and carrot to a small pot and cover with water. Bring the pot to a boil on the stovetop, and allow the mixture to boil for 15 minutes (or until the carrots and cashews are both very soft and easily pierced with a fork).
- Drain the water and add the cashews and carrot to a high powered blender. Add all other ingredients to the blender as well. Blend until very smooth.
- Pour your blended mixture into a small pot or sauce pan and stir constantly as you bring it to medium-high heat on the stovetop. When you first pour in your mixture it will be very runny, but after a couple of minutes it will begin to thicken. Once your mixture is thick and cheesy, remove from the heat. (If you'd like your cheese sauce to be a bit thinner, feel free to add a couple splashes of water and incorporate as needed before removing from heat). This entire stovetop process should take about 3-5 minutes.
- Spread on whatever you'd like and enjoy! (If using for a vegan grilled cheese, please see the notes below on how I recommend assembling your sandwich!*)
Notes
*If using for a grilled cheese:
-Bring a skillet to medium heat
-Add plant based butter to each side of two pieces of bread
-Toast each side of both pieces of bread in the skillet (2-4 min each side)
-Remove bread from skillet and add 2-3 tablespoon of the Vegan Cheddar Cheese Sauce to each piece of bread. Sandwich the pieces together to form your grilled cheese sandwich.
-Add your sandwich back to the skillet (still on medium heat). Flip a couple of times, until both sides of your sandwich are crisped up to your liking (typically 1-2 min on each side).
-Remove from skillet and enjoy!
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