Imagine a world where creamy, cheesy goodness meets healthy eating - and no dairy is involved! This vegan cauliflower cheese sauce is about to revolutionize your plant-based cooking, transforming a humble cauliflower into a luxuriously smooth, incredibly flavorful sauce that will make your taste buds dance and your body thank you. Whether you're a committed vegan, a health-conscious foodie, or simply someone looking to add more nutritious alternatives to your diet, this recipe is your ticket to a delicious culinary adventure that proves healthy can be absolutely mouthwatering.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Vegan
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower, chopped
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash the cauliflower thoroughly and chop it into evenly sized florets, ensuring they are roughly the same size for consistent cooking.
- Fill a medium-sized pot with water and bring to a boil. Add the cauliflower florets and cook for 8-10 minutes until they are tender and can be easily pierced with a fork.
- While the cauliflower is cooking, prepare a colander in the sink for draining and set up a blender or food processor on the countertop.
- Once cauliflower is cooked, drain completely in the colander and allow to steam dry for 2-3 minutes to remove excess moisture.
- Transfer the cooked cauliflower to the blender. Add nutritional yeast, unsweetened almond milk, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Blend the mixture on high speed for 2-3 minutes until smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed.
- Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or nutritional yeast to enhance the flavor profile.
- If the sauce is too thick, gradually add more almond milk and blend until desired consistency is reached.
- Serve immediately over vegetables, pasta, or as a dipping sauce, garnishing with fresh herbs if desired.
Tips
- Choose a fresh, firm cauliflower with tight, white florets for the best texture and flavor.
- Make sure to drain cauliflower thoroughly to prevent a watery sauce - letting it steam dry is crucial.
- Adjust the almond milk gradually to control sauce thickness; start with less and add more as needed.
- For extra flavor depth, consider roasting the cauliflower instead of boiling for a more complex taste profile.
- Use high-quality nutritional yeast for the most authentic "cheesy" flavor.
- If you want a smoother consistency, strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve after blending.
- This sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days - simply reheat and add a splash of almond milk to restore creaminess.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 70kcal
Carbohydrates: 6g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
