Easy no-cheese sauce for vegans
Cheese is one of those foods which stops a lot of vegetarians turning vegan! For me, this was never really an issue because as much as I loved cheese, I am lactose-intolerant. When I went vegan in 2015 (I started by doing Veganuary on 1 January), the transition was therefore relatively easy. However, sometimes you just need something savoury, especially for crackers, sandwiches and of course, for roast dinner!
Roast Dinner
When I was growing up, we often had a roast. Often, means twice or three times a week! As I was vegetarian, in the early days, a roast meant roast potatoes, sometimes Yorkshire Puddings, and all the vegetables, nothing else. Mum almost always made something or another in cheese sauce. Cauliflower cheese was a favourite of hers, but often we would have onions and/or leeks in cheese sauce. Nowadays, a roast to me is not complete without leeks or onions in cheese sauce (with some peas and gravy on the side)! Today, one of my lovely friends asked me for a cheese sauce recipe. This is for you Paula x.
The no-cheese sauce recipe
There are two main ways to make a cheese sauce, this is the easier and less calorific method! You can use any milk of your choice, I usually use oat milk, but your favourite milk should work just as well. Then you need cornflour and nutritional yeast, and if you have it, mustard powder. The other herbs and spices are optional and you can play around with them to suit your tastes.
An easy cheese sauce recipe for use with vegetables (think cauliflower cheese) or for making a lasagne!
- 250 ml milk (of choice)
- 2-3 tablespoons cornflour (depends on thickness you like & milk consistency)
- 2-3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder
- pinch of paprika
- pinch of salt (to taste)
- pinch of black pepper
- pinch of garlic granules
Remove about 3 tablespoons of milk and add to the cornflour. Mix to a smooth paste.
Heat the remaining milk in a medium saucepan on a medium heat. As small bubbles start to form around the edge of the pan, drizzle the cornflour paste into the pan stirring (or whisking) continuously. After a couple of minutes, the mixture should start to thicken. Check the consistency and either add a splash more milk if you want it thinner, or if needed, make a bit more paste (1/2-1 tablespoon of cornflour) and add in to make it thicker.
Sprinkle the nutritional yeast in and mix well to combine. Continue to stir until the flakes have dissolved. Do a taste test for cheesiness!
You can then add in any of the remaining spices/seasoning. I would recommend definitely adding the mustard powder which will increase the cheesey flavour. The others are a personal preference (I always add black pepper)!
Allow to cook through for a couple of minutes, then it is ready.
For ideas, I chop and cook leeks and/or onions, drain, then stir through, transfer to an ovenproof dish and bake for 20-30 minutes in a medium-hot oven.
Enjoy!
Is the sauce easy to store?
I usually serve my sauce immediately, but it is easily stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. It can also be frozen and will keep for up to three months (remember to label and date it).
What do I need?
This no-cheese sauce is ideally made in a saucepan with a wooden spoon or a whisk! You can serve it as it is in a jug, or bake it in an ovenproof dish with your vegetables. I’ve chosen a few items here which might be useful to you if your kitchen needs a refresh or you are new to cooking! I do receive a small commission if you click and purchase through these links (this is at no additional cost to you)!
Sharing
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Leave me a comment below and let me know what you think of this no-cheese sauce and what you would use yours for? I would love to hear if you have made something similar?
Speak soon
Laurena x
ps… next time I post it will be 2021!!! Have a fabulous New Year!
Hi Laurena, back in the 90s everything vegetarian was covered in cheese, especially Delia’s recipes haha. It’s great you’ve found a good vegan alternative that you enjoy and one that doesn’t give you much or any discomfort, hopefully☺️
Happy New Year Eva. I’m a bit cheesed out today lol! I had already had a go at some mozzarella alternative this morning, then made this cheese sauce and then got the crackers out! Oops! Lol! I think there might be a bit more cheese in January too as I’m giving up refined sugar (again)! Hope you manage to enjoy some celebrations tonight!