Easy vegan cheese sauce with minimal ingredients and ready in 3 minutes! A super simple and nut-free plant-based recipe which requires only a handful of ingredients. This vegan queso is perfect for pizza, nachos, Mac and Cheese, burgers, pasta bake, toast, and more savory recipes. The sauce doesn’t contain cashews!
Easy Vegan Cheese Sauce Without Cashews!
This is probably the easiest homemade vegan cheese sauce ever! It might change your life, it changed mine, I am not kidding. Coconut milk, tapioca flour, nutritional yeast flakes, water, and salt – these are the ingredients which you will need to make this delicious sauce.
Since most people have water and salt at home, all you need to buy is coconut milk, tapioca flour, and nutritional yeast flakes. But maybe you already have these ingredients at home as well. So let’s start to make this easy recipe, it will be done in 3 minutes!
Only A Few Ingredients
I know there are tons of vegan cheese sauce recipes out there, but most of them contain cashews + many more ingredients and require longer preparation time. This cashew-free cheese sauce contains only a handful of ingredients and is ready in 3 minutes.
How To Make Vegan Cheese Sauce
You just need to put all the ingredients into a saucepan, bring the mixture to a boil and that’s it! You don’t even need a blender or food processor. No cooking of veggies, no soaking of cashews. It seriously couldn’t be easier than that.
Not Only For Vegans
This recipe is not only amazing for vegans. I served it also to vegetarians and meat eaters and everyone loved the taste AND texture of this vegan cheese sauce. The tapioca flour (which is also called tapioca starch) makes this recipe so special because it adds the amazing elasticity to the sauce. It makes the sauce stretchy and even reminds of real cheese. Nutritional yeast is an important ingredient for the taste because it adds a cheesy flavor. The spices are up to you, but I love to add some garlic and onion powder, and also a pinch of smoked paprika.
Perfect For Nachos, Pizza, Gratin And More
You can use this vegan sauce for any savory recipe which requires cheese. Whether it is pizza, nachos, gratin, pasta, or any other plant-based recipe. Sometimes when I am too lazy to make my Mac and Cheese recipe I will simply make this 3-minute cheese sauce and pour it over my cooked pasta and my dinner is served in just a few minutes. I have included some pictures of different dishes which I made using this cheese sauce recipe.
This easy vegan cheese sauce is:
- Plant-based
- Gluten free
- Oil-free
- Dairy-free
- Nut-free (no Cashews!)
- Paleo-friendly
- Easy to make in a few minutes
Make This Vegan Cheese Sauce Today
I made this cheeze sauce probably 100 times already because I use it in almost all of my savory recipes lol. I just love simple recipes which require only a few ingredients and this easy sauce recipe is one of them. So don’t wait any longer and make it NOW. I am sure you will love it as well.
Tapioca flour can be bought in every Asia shop or big supermarkets or simply ordered online. Same goes for nutritional yeast flakes. Check the Recipe Notes for a tapioca flour substitute.
Should you recreate this vegan nacho cheese sauce, please leave a comment below and don’t forget to tag me in your Instagram or Facebook post with @elavegan and #elavegan because I love to see your recreations.
Easy Vegan Cheese Sauce
Video
Ingredients
- ¾ cup (180 ml) coconut milk canned (*see notes )
- 3 tbsp (20 g) nutritional yeast flakes
- 2 tbsp (15 g) tapioca flour OR arrowroot flour/starch (*see notes)
- ½ tsp sea salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp onion powder (optional)
- ¼ tsp garlic powder (optional)
- Pinch of smoked paprika (optional)
Instructions
- You can check out the video for visual instructions.Put all ingredients into a saucepan and stir with a whisk. Once everything is combined, turn on the heat and bring the mixture to a boil while stirring constantly.
- Let simmer on low to medium heat for about one minute until the sauce is stretchy.
- Enjoy this vegan cheese sauce with nachos, on pizza, over pasta, and many other savory dishes! Please read the recipe notes below.
Notes
- Thickness: If the cheese sauce turns out too thick, just add more coconut milk or any other plant-based milk (or water), up to 1 cup.
- Coconut milk: I use coconut milk that contains 17% fat. In case you don't like the taste of coconut milk, you can use a different plant-based milk instead, e.g. almond milk, cashew milk, etc. The higher the fat content of the milk, the better will be the taste of the vegan cheese sauce.
- Tapioca flour: Tapioca flour/starch can be bought in every Asia store or larger grocery stores or simply ordered online.
- Tapioca substitute: Two readers (thanks, Brooklyn and Nichola) commented that arrowroot flour (also known as arrowroot powder or arrowroot starch) is a great substitute for tapioca flour/starch.
- Cornstarch: You could use cornstarch instead of tapioca flour, but the result won’t be as good (stretchy) as with tapioca flour. It will still taste ok!
- How to store: You can store the sauce in the fridge for up to 2 days, but it will change the texture. Reheat with a splash of dairy-free milk. It tastes best freshly made.
- FAQ: "My cheese sauce didn't turn out yellow. What did I do wrong...?" Answer: Some nutritional yeast brands enrich their products with lots of B-vitamins. The nutritional yeast flakes which I ordered from Amazon contain B-vitamins and are therefore yellow. When I use 3 tbsp, the cheese sauce turns out pretty yellow, but when I use less (e.g. just 1 tbsp) the color is just light yellowish." You can also add a pinch of turmeric powder.
Nutrition information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically
„Simple and Delicious Vegan“ Cookbook by ElaVeganCLICK HERE to order!If you are using Pinterest, feel free to pin the following photo:
Hi, love your website and all your recipes!
However nutritional yeast is MSG and is a neurotoxic. :/
Hi, Julie. I just made a quick research and this is what I found on the Website of Dr. Mercola:
“Yeast is a natural source of umami flavor, or natural glutamic acid (glutamate). This is what gives it its rich, satisfying, almost meat-like flavor. It’s also what triggers the MSG fears, but they are unfounded.
The glutamic acid found in nutritional yeast is “bound” to other amino acids or proteins. The glutamic acid that is MSG is not. When you eat glutamic acid in real foods, your body controls how much is absorbed. Excess glutamic acid is passed off as waste, not stored in your body. As reported by Smithsonian magazine”
is there a substitute for tapioca flour/arrowroot flour? – can these be ignored?
Tapioca flour is actually the most important ingredient of this recipe, so, unfortunately, it cannot be ignored.
Omg!! This recipe just changed my life like you said it would! I made it last night and Dear Lord!! ???????? I couldn’t stop eating it with tortilla chips… so delicious!
Definitly my new go to recipe for vegan cheese! I was wondering, where can find the nutrional information? I’m watching my calories ???? thank you so much!
Wow! That’s awesome, Michelle. I am so happy you like my recipe. I have just updated the blog post and included the nutrition facts. Please check the recipe again. 🙂
Thank you so much! I’m happier now that I know the calories are not crazy high!
You are welcome 🙂
Wow Ela, your cheese recipe is the easiest I have ever seen! Love that it only takes 3 minutes. well done, you are so creative at helping us all eat vegan and super healthy! Dee xx
Thank you very much, Dee! Such a sweet compliment coming from you. I really appreciate it 🙂
Well Ela, you’ve done it again! Another wonderful creation, and all vegan! This cheese looks incredible, even better than a ‘real deal’ if you know what I mean 🙂 Must try soon!
Aww, thank you so much, Anna. Your comment makes me so happy. I hope you will like my recipe 🙂
It looks so stringy and gooey! Can’t believe that this only takes 3 minutes to make too!
Thanks so much, Jess. I hope you will try it out 🙂
BEST vegan cheese sauce ever! Do you have any idea how much my boys loved this!? I served it over pasta and my 3 and a 1/2 year old had four kid size bowls of it. That’s still a lot, hehe. Thank you so much for this recipe! He is picky.
Awww, yay!!! That’s really awesome, Lindsay. Makes me seriously so happy. Thanks so much for your wonderful feedback 🙂
I was wondering if you know the exact measurement in grams? I tried to make the cheese sauce but it failed (not yellow like in the picture and it didn’t taste like cheese). I really want to make it because I love nacho’s!
Hi Steffy, the 3/4 cup coconut milk weighs 180 grams (like mentioned in the recipe), the 3 tbsp nutritional yeast flakes weigh 20 grams and the 2 tbsp tapioca flour weigh 16 grams. I hope this helps 🙂
Thank you so much! Gonna try it again soon!
You are welcome 🙂
I cannot wait to try this! Unfortunately I couldn’t find canned coconut milk, so I bought a carton of it. Will that give the same result?? Thanks in advance!
The coconut milk in a carton is watered down a lot, so the taste will be different. But you could simply add 1-2 tbsp of oil to the mixture, then it will probably taste the same 🙂
Thank you! I think I’ll try to find a can elsewhere. If not I’ll try adding the oil! Thank you for responding 🙂
Can you freeze this sauce?
Looks delish! Have you done it with rice milk and/or potato starch?
Potato starch won’t work because the cheese sauce won’t be stretchy, just thick. You can use rice milk instead of coconut milk, however, I would recommend adding 1-2 tbs of oil, since canned coconut contains more fat than rice milk.
Looks great and smells great, but no stretch for me. Maybe it’s the high altitude I am at ??♀️
Thank you, Mariah! That’s interesting, I live close to the sea. 🙂
Wow, what an easy recipe! Can’t believe it’s so simple and so quick. Thanks for sharing this, Ela!
Thanks so much, Nisha. I hope you will give it a try eventually 🙂
Wow…. this was SUPER DUPER EASY and so delicious. Unfortunately my kids didn’t like it but I certainly did. I am in Australia and used “Arrowroot flour” which says on container Tapioca starch. I used my thermomix to cook it and was so stretchy just like you described. AMAZING !!! Thank you
Thank you, Nichola! Your comment is very helpful. I had no idea that Arrowroot flour and Tapioca starch/flour are so similar but now I know that it’s possible to substitute one for the other. So glad you liked my recipe 🙂
I loved this recipe. So simple and easy, and delicious!! Can’t wait to make more!!
I am so glad you love the recipe, Julia! 🙂
Made this with everything except the arrowroot. Subbed for 1.5 tbsp of corn starch. It had no flavor and an incredible dull, bitter flavor. Not sure if it is due to the substitution but it was inedible. Your better off melting daiya.
Well, if you change the recipe it will change the consistency and everything. I get a couple of messages on Instagram every single day from people who made this vegan cheese sauce with the correct ingredients and everyone raves about it. Also here you can read over a hundred positive comments… But sure, if you prefer Daiya, go for it. 😀
This is making my mouth water! and what beautiful photos! Hugs and love xox
Thank you very much, Caralyn 🙂
Just made it on top of home made pasta and veggies. It’s delicious! I did use coconut cream instead of milk, so it was a little more rich and chunky instead of stretchy. Still tasted great! Thank you!!
This is amazing, Allison! I am glad you liked my recipe 🙂
OMG!! So yumy and healthy 🙂 xoxo
Thank you very much 🙂
Hi 🙂
Could I substitute the flour for ground arrowroot and if so would I keep the measurements the same? Thank you.
Hi Jo! Unfortunately not. Like mentioned in the blog post there is no real substitute for the tapioca flour. You can try it out with arrowroot but the cheese sauce just won’t be as good (not stretchy etc). 🙂
I will get some ordered then! Have a lovely day. Jo
Thanks, you too! 🙂
I had used the silk coconut milk and arrowhead flour because I could not find tapioca…but it didn’t taste too great. ?
Silk coconut milk is too watery! That’s why I pointed out many times that it has to be canned coconut milk otherwise it will taste like water!
I only found nutritional yeast powder will that do? Ill see if I can pick up some coconut cans today…and your right that was my mistake missed that print where it stated canned …will give it another try and give you feedback.
I am pretty sure nutritional yeast powder will work, even though I always use the flakes. Awesome that you give it another try, Nicole! 🙂
I tried with arrowroot powder, because i don’t own any tapioca flour, and it is super stretchy and delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
Wow, this is amazing, Brooklyn!! Thanks so much for letting me know. I will add this information to the Recipe Notes. Thank you once again for your positive feedback 🙂
Ela… I’m new to vegan eating and love you as a resource! Yum!
Can you tell me whether you can reheat this cheese sauce the next day or is it best used all in one sitting?
Thx!
Thanks, Kelly! Yes, you can reheat the sauce but I prefer to use it all in one sitting. 🙂
I tried this recipe with coconut flour and it worked just as well, just don’t use too much of it tho as coconut flour is very absorbent. I also used coconut milk and it tasted just as good plus it still came out like a cheese sauce!
Hey, I am glad it still came out great but try it with tapioca flour next time and you will love it even more. 🙂
Thank you Ela!
Delicious…easy and cashew for my friend who’s allergic to them. Many thanks for sharing this love 🙂
My pleasure! I am glad you like it 🙂
wie cool! die Zutaten hab ich sowieso immer im Haus, und kann mir in Nullkommanix die Soße für meine Nachos machen. Ohne vorher schon stundenlang Cashews einzuweichen, wie ich das bisher gemacht hab. Super, probier ich aus!
Das freut mich riesig, liebe Pat! Ich bin gespannt was du sagst 🙂
Könntest du mir die Zutaten für Deutschland sagen? Zb diese flakes ? Wo bekommt man die hier Lg
Hallo Sabine! Nutritional yeast flakes sind Hefeflocken. Die bekommst du bei euch in Deutschland überall, sogar im Rewe.
LG, Ela
The cheesleeping souce sounds abselutly great can’not waite to try it. And so easy !!! Thank you so much.
I hope you will like my recipe. 🙂
What does the cheese taste like ?is it similar to nacho cheese sauce ? I like both nacho cheese sauce and sharp cheddar if you can give a recipe to that one. Thank you !
I would say it’s similar to nacho cheese sauce. But it would be best if you give it a try. 🙂
Tasty. I added black pepper and used almond milk.
I am glad you liked the recipe, Sue! 🙂
Hi Ela. Why they should be flakes and not powder? I’m struggling to find Nutrition Yeast Flakes in Colombia!! Danke! Daniel
Hi Daniel, the brand I use calls their product “nutritional yeast flakes”, but I am sure powder is fine as well! 🙂
Wow, looks amazing!
Thanks for the compliment 🙂
Do you use a can milk coconut cream!? Or normal coconut milk in the normal pack!!!
Hey Sheryl, I am using canned coconut milk like mentioned in the recipe. 🙂
Ok, thank you. Just I didn’t understand when you said that I can use soy milk as well!!! Sound s good ???? and I ll try definitely. Thabk you!!!!!
You are most welcome, Sheryl! 🙂
Do you shake the can and use both the cream and the water?
Yes, I shake it. 🙂
Do you think you could use cream or no? I just have a few canned creams I’d like to use before buying milk
Hi Melissa, you could mix the cream with some water to make it runnier as the cream would be too thick. Hope this helps! 🙂
Ela, will this taste coconutty?
It really depends on the brand of coconut milk (and the fat content). To me it does not taste very coconutty but I also don’t mind because I love coconut. However, if you hate coconut then use any other plant-based milk, e.g. almond milk, cashew milk, etc. The higher the fat content of the milk is, the better it will taste.
Your sauce looks so delicious Ela!
And this is so amazing that the recipe is so quick and easy to make! ????????????
Much love,
Bianca ❤️
Thank you very much, Bianca. I hope you will try out my recipe 🙂
Sauce looks great. Good. Combination of ingredients. I also can’t wait to try.
Thank you very much! Hope you’ll like it. 🙂
I am always struggling because I am allergic to… coconut and most nuts . I am also allergic to milk,yeast and almonds, so do you have good substitutes for these items?
Please.
Hey, you can use any plant-based milk or cream (for a richer taste), for example oat milk/cream, soy milk etc.
Can I use this on burgers and tofu?
Absolutely! 🙂
Where does the high amount of sodium come from.?
From the sea salt.
Hi Ella! This looks great. I often like to make dishes and freeze a couple for a later date. Would this sauce be suitable to freeze for reheating in a a recipe for lasagne, or something similar.?
Yes, that should work just fine, Moya! 🙂
Would it work without the nutritional yeast? I can not have it unfortunately!
Sure, it works. However, it’s not as tasty. 🙂
I know this may sound crazy. Not having found a vegan cheese that I like the flavor of…this one sounds great! Fixing to try it. But I am trying to lose weight so how does the fat content compare to adding cashews? I have often wondered about the fat content in the cashews. Even if the fat is higher in this recipe , if it taste great…I will eat it. Lol lol lol
You can use lite coconut milk for a low-fat cheese sauce. Cashews definitely have more fat. 🙂