The Yummiest Vegan ‘Cheese’ Sauce Ever!

Kid Friendly | Plant-Based Recipes | Sauces/Dressings | Weight Loss Meals

I’m Kiki

Welcome to my Plantiful Life.

I’m a momma of two beautiful and adventurous kids, and a wife to an amazing and supportive man. I’ve always been a nutrition conscious, nature loving soul. Finding my way to a whole food plant-based lifestyle has been the full expression of who I am.

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I’m Kiki

Welcome to my Plantiful Life.

I’m a momma of two beautiful and adventurous kids, and a wife to an amazing and supportive man. I’ve always been a nutrition conscious, nature loving soul. Finding my way to a whole food plant-based lifestyle has been the full expression of who I am.

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2024-06-04T11:13:23-06:00October 9, 2020|

94 Comments

  1. Andrea October 16, 2020 at 10:29 am - Reply

    Best cheese sauce ever!

    • Jennifer Krause August 23, 2021 at 10:12 am - Reply

      This is fantastic recipe. I ran out if Lemons so I used lime juice instead and I find it’s even cheesier! And no lemony hint ever. The using of the potato water is so smart. Really gives it that gooeyness. Literally eating it right now. ? love your family friendly friendly recipes. I’m waiting on you book coming out. (In paper form)

      • Daniela Gutierrez January 17, 2022 at 1:55 pm - Reply

        What brand and type of nutritional yeast do you use? I’ve tried this recipe and it is just not at all yummy. I’m not a picky eater so I don’t understand why it doesn’t come out good. I’m thinking it’s the nutritional yeast.

    • Alex October 9, 2021 at 4:28 am - Reply

      For reals best cheese sauce ever!! And toddler approved, it i let home, my toddler will just drink the sauce ?

  2. Jackie Smith October 19, 2020 at 9:49 am - Reply

    How long does your cheese sauce store for? I made the fat free one.

    • Plantiful Kiki October 21, 2020 at 6:15 pm - Reply

      It can last for about a week and a half in the refrigerator.

      • JillTinsley February 11, 2021 at 4:15 pm - Reply

        This stuff is so good! I need to try the fat free version because I’m literally dousing it on everything!

      • Wilma March 3, 2021 at 3:21 pm - Reply

        Can u freeze it?

        • Alex October 9, 2021 at 4:26 am - Reply

          Yes! Not sure if it’s recommended.
          I froze half of it as an experiment. Defrosted in the fridge and then reheated on the stop top. Initially it looks chunky like it won’t come back together but just keep mixing it, also don’t walk away from the stove bc it can burn quickly.

        • Lindsay Lawal November 8, 2021 at 10:40 am - Reply

          This was really good! I had it over cooked broccoli and baked potatoes.

      • Tess April 2, 2021 at 9:34 am - Reply

        What can I substitute potatoes with..?.

        • Gale October 6, 2021 at 2:12 pm - Reply

          I used cauliflower as a substitute and its still yummy.

  3. Jane Rose October 21, 2020 at 10:47 am - Reply

    This sauce is so delicious!

    • Asalia Kingston February 23, 2022 at 6:26 pm - Reply

      So delicious!!!!

  4. Cheesy Hashbrowns | Plantiful Kiki October 28, 2020 at 2:18 pm - Reply

    […] Cheese Sauce (This Recipe) […]

  5. Enchilada Bake | Plantiful Kiki October 28, 2020 at 4:03 pm - Reply

    […] 1 batch cheese sauce (the-yummiest-cheese-sauce-ever) […]

    • Paula January 24, 2021 at 5:48 pm - Reply

      Hi, do you reheat this before putting it on veges?

  6. Nitza October 28, 2020 at 8:49 pm - Reply

    Super delicious!!! Thanks for sharing and showing how to do it.

  7. Carmen November 1, 2020 at 11:04 am - Reply

    I just made this today and it blew my mind! It’s so good! I will definitely be making this again!

  8. Susan November 3, 2020 at 9:21 am - Reply

    It really is the yummiest cheese sauce ever! And I have wasted a lot of ingredients trying others.
    So thankful to have found yours!

  9. Chris November 5, 2020 at 7:39 pm - Reply

    Hands down THE best “cheese” sauce I’ve tasted. I did the fat free version, but I didn’t have cannellini beans, so I tried chickpeas instead (using only about 2/3 cup water). It turned out amazing – great texture, great taste! Thank you … I can stop searching now!

  10. Rory November 8, 2020 at 6:29 am - Reply

    I love this sauce!! Make it weekly. Some batches I change up the flavor profile by adding smoked paprika or chili pepper flakes. Extremely versatile, pasta sauce, enchilada sauce to a thick veggie dip depending on how much water I add.

  11. Kay November 12, 2020 at 11:48 am - Reply

    I have made this cheese sauce 3 times already and it is the yummiest thing I have ever tasted! Even my picky eater devours it in seconds. It’s way better than real cheese. Thanks so much Kiki for sharing all these amazing recipes, they are truly life changing.

  12. Jennifer November 13, 2020 at 4:06 pm - Reply

    Best ever!!!! Thanks!

  13. Sari November 18, 2020 at 3:36 am - Reply

    I don’t usually comment on recipes but now I just have to! WOWZA!!! I ate the sauce with a spoon like soup! I will never eat any other “cheese” sauce again! Can you fall in love with food….?

  14. Patricia L Wittekind November 19, 2020 at 11:32 am - Reply

    Delicious!!!

  15. Debbie Kalio November 22, 2020 at 10:27 am - Reply

    Oh my god easy and soooo good,, my kids who are not vegan. Love it. I’m slowly incorporating plant based foods so it will be easier. Thanks Kiki ??????

  16. Josie December 4, 2020 at 2:29 pm - Reply

    THANK YOU!!This cheese sauce is amazing! I made the low-fat version. I didn’t add the beans, but I replace one cup of water with Silk creamy cashew milk that was 25 calories and 2 grams of fat for one cup.
    (I love your cook book by the way!! I got it last week!❤)

  17. Rutu December 9, 2020 at 10:32 am - Reply

    I just made this sauce and am blown away at how easy it was to make and how tasty it is. I did the fat free version and used beans. Thank you so much for sharing all your recipes and tips!

  18. kerry December 14, 2020 at 12:36 pm - Reply

    I make a batch of this every weekend. Even picky hubby loves it. It turns ordinary vegetables into extraordinary. It also rocks with any pasta dish. This is a WFPB/starch solution lifestyle winning recipe. I use the cashews for the goodness of the extra healthy fat. Love all your recipes. Thank goodness for you and Hannah, life changing food advice and recipes.
    wfpbheartnurse

  19. Stephanie December 16, 2020 at 10:00 am - Reply

    I love this cheese sauce! It really helped me transition to the vegan lifestyle! You have truly inspired me to adopt this healthy way of eating – thank you!!! Keep the great recipes coming?

  20. Dianne December 21, 2020 at 7:29 pm - Reply

    Thank you for the great “cheese” sauce Kiki!! It was perfect for our baked tostadas tonight!

  21. micron December 29, 2020 at 12:12 pm - Reply

    soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good wtf… I did the bean version and I am not missing the nuts at all. it is insane, kiki!

  22. Samantha January 2, 2021 at 8:46 pm - Reply

    I have made this with the original version and the nut free version using white beans. I never put the nutritional yeast in there because I hate the taste. Still the BEST cheese sauce ever!

  23. Danielle Nonnenmacher January 12, 2021 at 6:29 am - Reply

    Can you freeze the cheese sauce?

    • Alex August 31, 2021 at 6:16 pm - Reply

      Does anyone know if it’s frezeable??

  24. Mary January 19, 2021 at 2:52 pm - Reply

    This is so yummy, thank you!

  25. Suz January 21, 2021 at 3:47 pm - Reply

    Seriously the BEST cheese sauce ever! I’m hooked!

  26. Grace McAndrew Whitnah January 28, 2021 at 9:12 am - Reply

    Kiki, I don’t know what took me so long to make cheese sauce! O.M.G!! I made the fat free version and added only 3/4 cup of water. Wow. It is amazing. Question. When reheating to top on foods and stuff, what is the best way to reheat? thank you
    love your site and your channel

  27. […] Vinaigrette Dressing Ranch Dressing 12 Healthy Hummus Recipes We Can’t Get Enough Of The Yummiest Vegan “Cheese” Sauce Ever! Vegan Queso Sauce Herbed Hummus Roasted Red Pepper Sauce Easy Date Barbecue […]

  28. Grace McAndrew Whitnah February 1, 2021 at 3:48 pm - Reply

    Kiki,

    I made this last week for the first time! OMG! The best! so yummy. I did fat free with 1/2 cup cannelini beans. Even my daughter who is non-vegan thought it was great

    thank you. I have been missing cheese so much. Does it work well in enchiladas if it’s baked? Or in a soup that would have called for cheese?

  29. […] this hash, it was made by Plantiful Kiki, go check out her page and give her recipes a try. Click here to make a batch of her cheese sauce, you won’t regret it! Then once done pour this over the […]

  30. […] my potato was created by Plantiful Kiki, go check out her page and give her recipes a try. Click here to make a batch of her cheese sauce, you won’t regret it! Then once done pour this over the top […]

  31. […] Plantiful Kiki’s Cheese Sauce […]

  32. Shawnah February 8, 2021 at 12:55 pm - Reply

    This was simply amazing! Thanks so very much. I tried the bean version to keep my skin clear. It’s delicious, even better than a more labor intense version that I used to use.

  33. […] my potato was created by Plantiful Kiki, go check out her page and give her recipes a try. Click here to make a batch of her cheese sauce, you won’t regret it! Then once done pour this over the top […]

  34. […] is 100% plant-based. I can take no credit at all for coming up with this recipe, it was created by Plantiful Kiki, head over and check her out. She is completely plant-based and follows The Starch Solution Diet, […]

  35. Whitney Hall February 12, 2021 at 6:24 am - Reply

    I’m allergic to cashews, could any other but or seed be substituted?

  36. […] Plantiful Kiki’s Cheese Sauce […]

  37. […] The Yummiest Vegan “Cheese” Sauce Ever! […]

  38. Mary February 18, 2021 at 7:29 am - Reply

    I love the chese sauce! I sometimes add curry or other spices for variation. But the base is always the chese sauce.
    Today when I started to prepare for the sauce I realized that I had run out of nutritional yeast. Instead for the “nooch”, I added one big table spoon of graded sundried tomatoes. It turned out so good that I wanted to share with you.

  39. Diane MM February 19, 2021 at 7:13 am - Reply

    Finally a cheese sauce I love! I’ve tried others and only one was good, but sweet.

    This one is fantastic. I don’t have a vitamix so I soaked the cashews all day in hot water and they blended beautifully in my nutribullet. Also I cut the recipe in half to fit in the nutribullet. This sauce is perfection and lasted quite a while.

    Thank you so much!

  40. Joanne February 28, 2021 at 7:18 pm - Reply

    Love your recipes Kiki!
    Great sauce!
    But I doubt I can finish 36oz. In a week and a half.
    How well does it freeze?

  41. […] 1-1.5 cups cheese sauce  […]

  42. La Dona March 11, 2021 at 9:32 pm - Reply

    I made the cheese sauce today and had it over oven roasted asparagus. It was delish. Kiki, I enjoy watching you on youtube and look forward to trying out other recipes.
    .

  43. Vimy Shah April 2, 2021 at 4:00 am - Reply

    I made this cheese Sauce and put it in quesadillas with refried beans, red peppers and sweetcorn it was so yummy. Love it with nacho chips and salsa too

  44. Janet April 12, 2021 at 4:38 am - Reply

    I’m very curious and obviously not an educated food expert. I just follow recipes and occasionally change the quantities of something like jalapeno. So I rely on smarter food people like you to know how to create a recipe! Why would you decrease the water so much when you sub white beans for the cashews? I don’t see the white beans as being THAT much wetter than cashews although I can see that they are somewhat wetter, but less fatty. I’m just curious. Thank you!

  45. Janet April 12, 2021 at 4:42 am - Reply

    Nice sub Mary! What are “graded” sundries tomatoes?

  46. Kim Jordan-Huff April 16, 2021 at 5:11 pm - Reply

    Mine tasted like potatoe soup.
    Good taste to it but nothing like cheese sauce

  47. Ams123 April 23, 2021 at 10:56 pm - Reply

    Oatmeal, but you’ll need to play around with water ratios.

  48. Cindy April 30, 2021 at 11:58 pm - Reply

    Califlower will work.
    1/2 head steamed
    1 c raw cashews
    1/4 c parm
    Juice n zest 1 lemon
    Boil cali n cashews until tender save 1/4 cup cooking liquid blend with 2 tsp olive oil
    Salt n pepper

  49. Friday – Living Well May 14, 2021 at 1:06 pm - Reply

    […] try, guys. I spent hours in the kitchen yesterday making two types of vegan cheese, vegan ranch, and two different beans in the Instant Pot so I can be some kind of prepared and not […]

  50. Joanna May 18, 2021 at 7:20 pm - Reply

    What sorcery is this?!? Idk how this tastes exactly like cheese, but I’m so glad it does!!

  51. Liza May 22, 2021 at 10:29 pm - Reply

    Was just going to ask about omitting the nooch because I can’t stand it either. Good to know.

  52. Lyssa May 31, 2021 at 11:09 pm - Reply

    So tasty! My picky husband agrees it’s the best vegan cheese sauce recipe we’ve tried. I made the bean-based version and doubled the nutritional yeast because I love it.

  53. Miss Brisa June 2, 2021 at 2:52 am - Reply

    Cheese in the dairy free cheese sauce?

  54. Jenny Claire Carey June 13, 2021 at 11:12 pm - Reply

    This stuff is life changing and incredible! I’ve been making it once a week since I discovered it just for my husband and me! I make the version with the cashews. Thank you!

  55. Vegan Hot Dogs | Plantiful Kiki June 27, 2021 at 5:26 pm - Reply

    […] Cheese sauce  […]

  56. Anne June 29, 2021 at 12:48 am - Reply

    Figured I’d comment in case it helps anyone- First of all, this is a really good vegan cheese sauce! Secondly, I finally tried it in my instant pot and it turned out great. I put all the ingredients except the nutritional yeast and lemon (idk, I felt like these should be stirred in at the end?) into the IP with 1 cup of water, high pressure at 10 mins. I then blended with a stick blender right in the IP adding additional water slowly until it reached the consistency I wanted. I think the pressure cooking helps the cashews get softer and easier to blend with my crappy stick blender.

  57. Kate July 8, 2021 at 11:36 am - Reply

    I’m kicking myself for waiting so long to try this sauce. It is so delicious! I find myself thinking of all the ways I can incorporate this into my meals. Thanks so much!! And awesome tip from Anne on doing this in the IP!!

  58. […] you are looking for a really good dairy free cheese recipe, then pop over to Plantiful Kikis website and check out her recipe (click here). She also makes it in this video if that is helpful to you […]

  59. Jeana July 24, 2021 at 3:18 pm - Reply

    I substituted the nuts with 1/2 cup of chickpeas… a total hit! even with super fussy non-plant-based mother! Honestly, it’s the first « cheesy » sauce I’ve tried that doesn’t have that « hum, something’s off » taste. Thanks kiki!

  60. Ruby Leon July 27, 2021 at 4:56 pm - Reply

    Thanks Kiki for this amazing cheese sauce! I’ve tried other cheese recipes only to be disappointed. I’m so glad I decided to give your recipe a try, it’s a keeper!

  61. Adria July 30, 2021 at 11:28 am - Reply

    Hi Kiki. I made the sauce but 2 tsp of salt makes it waaaaay too salty….is this a typo.

    It is the best cheese sauce I have tasted thus far…and I have tried a few

  62. Jenny July 31, 2021 at 11:26 am - Reply

    This sounds terrific! Many similar recipes I’ve seen have said to soak the cashews. Is that not necessary here? Thanks!

    • jazzi February 24, 2022 at 7:32 am - Reply

      I am curious about this as well. Soak our not to soak cashews!?

  63. Patti August 2, 2021 at 12:04 pm - Reply

    Just made this ahead of time, for tonight’s macaroni. Oh my, it’s fantastic! Thank you!

  64. Maureen August 2, 2021 at 6:07 pm - Reply

    My first time making it tonight…I added a little curry powder and viola! Indian food!

  65. Michele September 14, 2021 at 9:55 am - Reply

    Several people have asked if this sauce can be frozen but after reading through the entire thread no one has answered that question lol. Surely someone has attempted freezing it by now?? Any replies?? How did it turn out??

    • Iris March 1, 2022 at 1:37 pm - Reply

      Someone did answer about freezing this sauce. They said it not the same creamy texture, it’s kind of lumpy.

  66. Dottie Fortner October 28, 2021 at 7:46 am - Reply

    My search is over! This is by far the best Vegan cheese sauce I have had and I have made quite a few. Thank you Kiki for sharing your great recipes with us. Someone commented that they thought 2 tsp of salt was a typo. I think it is the perfect amount and I don’t like alot of salt.

  67. Michelle Rodrigue November 5, 2021 at 2:37 am - Reply

    I make this sauce weekly. For movie night I add a little taco seasoning to the sauce and diced tomatoes, onion and jalapeños for a delicious queso. So delicious.
    I’ve tried all the WFPB ‘cheese’ sauce recipes and this is the one I always come back to!
    Never tried it with the cashews – never felt the need for them.

  68. Coreen B November 9, 2021 at 7:32 am - Reply

    I had pretty much given up on finding a “cheese” sauce. I figured this was my last Hope, based on the comments. And I’m so glad I made it! My search is OVER!! I was so afraid of an overpowering nooch taste because I’m not a fan of it by itself. But this recipe is perfect as is. Thank you soooo much!!!

  69. Olivia November 27, 2021 at 2:49 pm - Reply

    Oh my goodness this is delicious. I’m making this a staple topping to always have on hand. Thank you for sharing this deliciousness!!

  70. Amber D Lafferty December 19, 2021 at 9:29 am - Reply

    I finally found a cheese sauce! So excited!!! Even my husband likes it!!! Thank you so much.

  71. Katie December 21, 2021 at 6:20 pm - Reply

    Best vegan cheese sauce I have ever had!! I added 1 heaping tablespoon of white miso to the recipe. *chef’s kiss*

  72. Mel January 7, 2022 at 1:12 pm - Reply

    Just made this cannellini beans and it’s awesome! Poured it over cauliflower and broccoli so good! Thank you ?

  73. Kari February 9, 2022 at 1:42 pm - Reply

    How do you heat up the cheese sauce after it has been refrigerated? Thank you!

  74. Jeanne Rose April 20, 2022 at 8:41 am - Reply

    This cheese sauce is the best! I don’t have a high speed blender, so I boiled the cashews with the potatoes and carrots and then used a standard blender and it came out creamy and delicious – just perfect!

  75. Caroline April 20, 2022 at 12:25 pm - Reply

    I wasn’t a believer but now I am. Amazing!

  76. […] The Yummiest Vegan ‘Cheese’ Sauce Ever! […]

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