Go Eat Green

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Contact
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Dips and Sauces

    Vegan Cheese Sauce - Nut-Free Nooch Sauce (No Cashews)

    Published: Oct 18, 2022 · Modified: Apr 3, 2024 by Marinela Malcheva


    Jump to Recipe

    Calling all nooch sauce lovers! Craving that cheesy goodness without the cashews? This 5-minute vegan cheese sauce is your answer, packed with flavor and made with simple ingredients like nutritional yeast, tapioca flour, and oat milk. It's completely nut-free, oil-free, and gluten-free, making it a perfect dairy-free alternative for everyone to enjoy! Perfect for pasta, nachos, mac and cheese, pizza, toast, broccoli, or anything that needs a creamy, cheesy touch, and prepare to be amazed!

    Love easy vegan sauces? Don't miss out on the creamy deliciousness of our lactose-free Alfredo and non-dairy queso dip!

    Nooch sauce (vegan cheese sauce made with nutritional yeast, oat milk, and tapioca flour) without cashews.
    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe:
    • How Does Nutritional Yeast Taste
    • Ingredients
    • How To Make Vegan Cheese Sauce Without Cashews
    • Substitutions
    • Storage
    • Top Tips
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
    • More DIY Sauces And Dips
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Why You'll Love This Recipe:

    • Ready in 5 minutes: Perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a quick cheese fix.
    • No cashews or blender: This nooch sauce uses everyday ingredients and requires minimal prep.
    • Dairy-Free & Gluten-Free: Perfect for those with dietary restrictions.
    • Rich and creamy: The sauce thickens beautifully without any heavy cream or potatoes.
    • Versatile: Use it on pasta, vegetables, dips, or even as a pizza topping.
    • Healthy & delicious: Made with plant-based ingredients and free of saturated fats, cholesterol, and added sugars.
    Creamy vegan cheese sauce with nutritional yeast (no cashews) in a bowl with a spoon

    Looking for the best cheese substitute? Love the texture and taste of melted cheese?

    If you are vegan, lactose intolerant, have a dairy allergy, or just following a clean plant-based diet this recipe for vegan cheese sauce is for you. Because it's nut-free (doesn't contain cashews or any nuts), this tasty cheese dip sauce is a great option if you are allergic to nuts, as well. This smooth, soft, and melty cheese spread will bring a touch of cheesy flavor to your favorite savory recipes. Satisfy your cheese cravings with this quick fat-free vegan cheese spread and don't miss the regular cheese anymore!

    Vegan nooch spread in a bowl (no potatoes, no cashews) with corn chips

    Forget bland, store-bought cheese sauces! This healthy homemade version not only adds a luscious golden touch to your meals, but it's also super easy and affordable to make. Kids and adults alike will adore its rich, cheesy flavor, and you'll love knowing it's packed with wholesome ingredients. Plus, it's completely dairy-free and budget-friendly compared to store-bought options.

    Looking for another versatile vegan cheese alternative? My homemade parmesan cheese is another easy-to-make option you'll love!

    How Does Nutritional Yeast Taste

    Nutritional yeast has a unique, savory flavor often described as nutty, cheesy, and slightly umami. It's not quite like real cheese, but it adds a delicious richness to vegan dishes.

    There are two types of nutritional yeast: unfortified and fortified. Unfortified nutritional yeast doesn't have added vitamins or minerals; it only has the ones naturally produced during growth. Fortified nutritional yeast has synthetic vitamins added during manufacturing to boost nutrients, and you'll see these added vitamins listed in the ingredients. It also provides a boost of essential vitamins and minerals, making it a nutritious addition to any plant-based diet.

    Ingredients

    Simple plant-based ingredients for preparing the best vegan cheese spread: oat milk, tapioca flour, nutritional yeast, salt and spices

    The ingredient list for this creamy cheese sauce is very short. All you need is:

    • Plant-Based Milk: Choose your favorite! Oat milk is a popular choice, but any unsweetened plant-based milk like cashew or almond milk works here.
    • Nutritional Yeast (aka nooch): This golden flake adds a cheesy, umami flavor – the star ingredient!
    • Tapioca Flour: This naturally gluten-free starch thickens the sauce beautifully, creating a smooth and creamy texture.
    • Seasonings: A touch of salt, turmeric, onion powder, and garlic powder bring out the savory, cheesy notes and make the sauce truly delicious.

    As always, you can find the full recipe with a list of ingredients with measurements in a printable recipe card at the end of this post.

    How To Make Vegan Cheese Sauce Without Cashews

    Oat milk, nutritional yeast, tapioca starch, salt and spices in a small saucepan for preparing homemade vegan cheese sauce

    Whisk ingredients. Combine oat milk, nutritional yeast, tapioca flour, and spices in a small saucepan.

    Nut-free and fat-free homemade cheese sauce in a saucepan with a whisk

    Boil and simmer. Whisk and bring to a soft boil over medium heat, then reduce to low and simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly until smooth and stretchy.

    Simple vegan nooch sauce for pasta, pizza, lasagna, broccoli, nachos in a bowl with corn chips.

    Taste and serve. Adjust seasonings to taste, serve immediately, or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Reheat with a splash of milk on medium-low heat if needed. Enjoy your creamy, gooey cheese sauce!

    Substitutions

    • Oat Milk: While oat milk offers a neutral and creamy base, you can readily swap it for any unsweetened plant-based milk you enjoy, such as almond milk, cashew milk, soy milk, or even coconut milk (for a richer flavor).
    • Tapioca flour: If you don't have tapioca flour, try cornstarch, arrowroot powder, or even a slurry of 1 tablespoon of flour mixed with 2 tablespoons of water. These will thicken the sauce differently, so adjust the amount based on the desired consistency.
    • Seasonings: Feel free to adjust the spices to your liking! Want it smokier? Add a pinch of smoked paprika. Craving a kick? Sprinkle in some cayenne pepper.

    Serving Suggestions

    Best recipe vegan cheese sauce in a bowl with hand holding corn chips
    • As a dip for crunchy red lentil tofu or crispy baby potatoes.
    • Spread it on homemade tortillas stuffed with black beans and corn salad.
    • Use it as melted cheese on pizza, toast, or pasta.
    • Alongside crispy potato latkes, protein-packed quinoa patties, or zucchini fritters.
    • Drizzle it over vegan scrambled eggs, eggless frittata with chickpea flour, and vegan polenta.

    Storage

    Once your nooch cheese sauce has cooled down, transfer it to an airtight container before storing it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. For longer storage of up to 2 months, you can freeze it by transferring it to a freezer-safe container or bag, leaving some space at the top to allow for expansion during freezing.

    Top Tips

    • Whisking is key: Don't skip whisking constantly while the sauce heats and simmers. This ensures even thickening and prevents lumps.
    • Adjust the thickness: If your sauce is too thick, add a splash of plant milk while simmering. If it's too thin, cook slightly longer or whisk in a bit more tapioca flour (½ teaspoon at a time) until the desired consistency is reached.
    • Herb infusion: For added depth of flavor, infuse the sauce with fresh herbs by adding them towards the end of cooking or using them as a garnish.
    • Vibrant color: If your cheese sauce isn't as yellow as shown in the pictures, it might be because of the nutritional yeast brand you used. Some brands add extra B vitamins which give it a yellow color. If you want it more yellow, just add extra turmeric powder.
    Homemade tortilla filled with dairy-free cheese sauce and fresh vegetables

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

    Can you freeze vegan cheese sauce?

    Absolutely! Vegan cheese sauce can be frozen for up to 2 months in a freezer bag or airtight container. To reheat, defrost it in the fridge and warm it in a saucepan on the stovetop. Add a splash of plant milk and whisk until creamy.

    Does nutritional yeast expire?

    Yes, nutritional yeast can expire. It usually lasts for about one to two years if you keep it in a cool, dry spot away from sunlight. But make sure to check the expiration date on the package. If it's past that date, it might not taste as good or have as many nutrients.

    How do you make vegan cheese sauce taste like cheese?

    The secret ingredient here is nutritional yeast. These unique golden flakes also known as "nooch" give our cheese sauce that strong umami taste that resembles cheese. Because of its yummy cheesy flavor nutritional yeast is used in many vegan recipes like dairy-free alfredo sauce or vegan scrambled eggs as a good substitute for cheese.

    Is vegan cheese sauce healthy?

    Absolutely! This non-dairy cheese sauce can be a part of a healthy clean eating diet. Unlike highly processed store-bought cheese sauces this vegan version is free of saturated fats and oils, contains ZERO cholesterol, and has significantly lower levels of sodium.

    Creamy plant-based cheese sauce made without cashews in a bowl with corn chips

    More DIY Sauces And Dips

    • Vegan Ranch Dressing (No Mayo)
    • Mediterranean Parsley-Avocado Dipping Sauce
    • 5-Minute Ultra Creamy Avocado Dip

    📖 Recipe

    Nooch sauce (vegan cheese sauce made with nutritional yeast, oat milk, and tapioca flour) without cashews.

    Nooch Cheese Sauce (Vegan, No Cashews)

    Marinela Malcheva
    Calling all nooch sauce lovers! Craving that cheesy goodness without the cashews? This 5-minute vegan cheese sauce is your answer, packed with flavor and made with simple ingredients like nutritional yeast, tapioca flour, and oat milk. It's completely nut-free, oil-free, and gluten-free, making it a perfect dairy-free alternative for everyone to enjoy! Perfect for pasta, nachos, mac and cheese, pizza, toast, broccoli, or anything that needs a creamy, cheesy touch, and prepare to be amazed!
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Dip, Sauce, Side Dish
    Cuisine dairy-free, Gluten-free, Plant-based, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 57 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Small saucepan
    • 1 Whisk

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup plant-based milk unsweetened (oat milk, almond milk, or cashew milk all work for this recipe)
    • ¼ cup nutritional yeast
    • 2 tablespoon tapioca flour (tapioca starch)
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
    • ½ teaspoon onion powder
    • ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder

    Instructions
     

    • Combine oat milk, nutritional yeast, tapioca flour, and spices in a small saucepan.
      Oat milk, nutritional yeast, tapioca starch, salt and spices in a small saucepan for preparing homemade vegan cheese sauce
    • Whisk and bring to a soft boil over medium heat, then reduce to low and simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly until smooth and stretchy.
      Nut-free and fat-free homemade cheese sauce in a saucepan with a whisk
    • Adjust seasonings to taste, serve immediately, or refrigerate in anairtight container for up to 3-4 days. Reheat with a splash of milko n medium-low heat if needed. Enjoy your creamy, gooey cheese sauce!
      Simple vegan nooch sauce for pasta, pizza, lasagna, broccoli, nachos in a bowl with corn chips.

    Notes

    • Storage - Once your nooch cheese sauce has cooled down, transfer it to an airtight container before storing it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. For longer storage of up to 2 months, you can freeze it by transferring it to a freezer-safe container or bag, leaving some space at the top to allow for expansion during freezing.
    • Whisking is key: Don't skip whisking constantly while the sauce heats and simmers. This ensures even thickening and prevents lumps.
    • Adjust the thickness: If your sauce is too thick, add a splash of plant milk while simmering. If it's too thin, cook slightly longer or whisk in a bit more tapioca flour (½ teaspoon at a time) until the desired consistency is reached.
    • Herb infusion: For added depth of flavor, infuse the sauce with fresh herbs by adding them towards the end of cooking or using them as a garnish.
    • Vibrant color: If your cheese sauce isn't as yellow as shown in the pictures, it might be because of the nutritional yeast brand you used. Some brands add extra B vitamins which give it a yellow color. If you want it more yellow, just add extra turmeric powder.
    • See the post above for more ingredient substitution ideas. 
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 57kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.003gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.003gSodium: 319mgPotassium: 92mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 123IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 88mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword easy cheese sauce nut-free, no blender, no cashews, no potatoes, nooch cheese sauce, nutritional yeast, recipe for vegan cheese sauce no cashews, recipe vegan cheese sauce, vegan cheese spread
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Did you try this easy recipe for nut-free vegan cheese sauce?

    I would greatly appreciate it if you had a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment below.

    Please share your photo on Instagram with the tag @go_eatgreen and hashtag it #go_eatgreen. We would love to see your creations!

    Thank you for sharing your experience with us, we are so grateful you are here 🙏


    More Dips and Sauces

    • Vegan tofu ricotta cheese without cashews.
      Vegan Tofu Ricotta Cheese (No Cashews)
    • Green pea hummus (vegan dip).
      Green Pea Hummus
    • Smoked paprika hummus (vegan and gluten-free).
      Smoked Paprika Hummus (Vegan & Gluten-Free)
    • 3 Ingredient sour cream and chive dip (no mayo).
      3 Ingredient Sour Cream And Chive Dip (No Mayo)

    Comments

    1. Choclette says

      October 19, 2022 at 8:55 pm

      5 stars
      Now I need a bowl of cheese sauce. You've reminded me of just how delicious it is. And much easier to make than you might think.

      Reply
      • Marinela says

        November 08, 2022 at 1:00 am

        Amazing! Thank you so much for sharing your feedback with us, Choclette!

        Reply
    2. nancy says

      October 21, 2022 at 7:28 pm

      5 stars
      yes to this nut free cheesey dip with thats vegan! thanks for this easy recipe

      Reply
      • Marinela says

        November 08, 2022 at 12:55 am

        I'm glad you like this easy-cheesy dip, Nancy, thank you for your feedback!

        Reply
    5 from 8 votes (6 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    A vegan food blogger, photographer, and recipe developer who is passionate about cooking simple, tasty, and budget-friendly recipes with wholesome God-given ingredients. Welcome to my vegan world! My goal is to share these delicious plant-based recipes with you so you can lead more healthy and happy lives!

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Healthy overnight oats for weight loss with frozen fruit and sliced banana.
      Healthy Overnight Oats For Weight Loss (Vegan)

    • Easy vegan scrambled eggs with chickpea flour (no tofu)
      Easy Vegan Scrambled Eggs With Chickpea Flour (No Tofu)

    • Cucumber vinegar salad recipe with red onion and sesame seeds. Easy vegan side dish.
      Cucumber Vinegar Salad Recipe (Weight-Loss Side Dish)

    • Unleavened bread for Passover.
      Unleavened Bread for Passover (No Yeast, 3 Ingredients)

    • Peach raspberry smoothie without yogurt or banana for weight loss
      Raspberry Peach Smoothie Without Yogurt (No Banana)

    • Best recipe for potato latkes without eggs or matzo meal. Easy, gluten-free , vegan pancakes.
      Best Recipe for Potato Latkes (Crispy No Eggs Vegan Pancakes)

    Footer

    ↑ BACK TO TOP

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Meet Marinela

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    Copyright © 2025 Go Eat Green

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.