Healthy Vegan Cauliflower Cheese Sauce [SPICY]
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Total Time
25 mins
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Servings
6 Servings
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Calories
44 kcal
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Course
Side Dish, Appetizer, Condiments
Healthy Vegan Cauliflower Cheese Sauce [SPICY]
Description
The recipe starts by roasting cauliflower florets, quartered onion, jalapeños, and unpeeled garlic to develop caramelized edges and deepen flavor. Removing garlic skins after roasting releases a mellow garlic note. The roasted vegetables are blended with nutritional yeast, providing a cheesy umami flavor, tamari for saltiness, smoked paprika for warmth and smokiness, and vegetable broth to create a smooth, pourable consistency.
The resulting sauce offers a dairy-free, vegan alternative to traditional cheese sauces with a slight spicy kick imparted by the jalapeños. The texture is based on pureed roasted vegetables, making it hearty yet smooth.
This sauce can be used as a dip with raw veggies, crackers, or chips, or poured warm over steamed vegetables like broccoli or asparagus. Its thickness can be adjusted by varying broth quantity, allowing customization for dips or pourable sauces.
The sauce keeps refrigerated for several days and freezes well if cooled before freezing. Reheating gently maintains its texture and flavor integrity.
Ingredients
- 4.5 cups cauliflower from approx. 1 small cauliflower or half large, florets
- 2-3 jalapeños
- 1 yellow onion quartered
- 2-3 cloves garlic unpeeled
- ¾-1 cup vegetable broth low sodium
- ⅓ cup nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce if not avoiding gluten
- 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F convection bake and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Then, arrange your cauliflower florets, quartered onion, jalapeno and garlic in a single layer.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, until edges are golden brown and cauliflower is fork tender.
- Then transfer your roasted veggies (remove the peel from the garlic first) along with all remaining ingredients to a blender. Process until smooth and then taste and add more salt if needed or more broth to thin as desired. Serve with veggies, crackers, chips or pitas.
Notes
- Adjust broth quantity to achieve desired sauce thickness, starting with ¾ cup and adding more if needed.
- Use a high-powered blender to achieve a hot, smooth sauce when blending longer.
- The sauce can be prepared in advance, reheated before serving, or served cold according to preference.
- Use as a dip with vegetables, crackers, or chips, or drizzle over cooked vegetables for added flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container refrigerated for 3–4 days or freeze cooled sauce for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 44 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 44cal | 2% |
| Carbohydrates | 8g | 3% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Sodium | 398mg | 17% |
| Potassium | 343mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 379IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 43mg | 48% |
| Calcium | 23mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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