Dairy-Free Sweet Potato Cheese Sauce

What’s Inside: This dairy-free sweet potato cheese sauce is a staple in my fridge. Made with sweet potatoes, nutritional yeast, and no tree nuts, this recipe is easy to make, and even easier to eat while remaining AIP- and Paleo-friendly!

---

Homemade Dairy-Free Cheese Sauce

Creamy cheese sauce is one of those decadent condiments that can elevate many dishes. It’s found on many of our favorite all-American classic comfort food dishes that are sole satisfying. But sometimes, we can’t tolerate dairy and need a tasty alternative to satisfy that cheese craving.

As a nutritionist, I tend to see dairy intolerances quite a lot in my practice and it can be a real drag to figure out safe replacements that don’t have a ton of yucky additives that will also irritate your stomach… so I love using easy, homemade cheese sauces like this one instead.

How? That’s where this nutritional yeast cheese sauce comes in! This sauce is a variation of a reader favorite and is creamy, perfectly smooth, with the classic cheese flavor. The sweet potatoes provide a subtle sweetness and luscious texture, while the nutritional yeast provides that rich cheese flavor, we all know and love. Plus, it’s made without any coconut (or any tree nuts, for that matter) which makes this nut-free sauce compliant with AIP, Paleo, Whole30, and vegan diets! 

So, the next time you need a dairy-free, nut-free, paleo cheese sauce to use on a classic mac and cheese, or as a dip with chips, or as the sauce in this butternut squash lasagna, or finally, my personal favorite: creamy shrimp over zoodles, whip up this easy recipe that requires only a few basic pantry staples and just 10 minutes of your time.

Looking for more dairy-free recipes? I’ve got you covered! Check out my all my dairy-free recipes here!

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked and peeled white sweet potato 
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast flakes
• 1/2 juiced lemon or 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

White sweet potatoes: Used to give the sauce a creamy, velvety texture while providing subtle nutty nuttiness. You may use any color sweet potato, but white is my personal fave.

Nutritional yeast: Provides this vegan, nut-free sauce with the classic cheese flavor.

Lemon juice or apple cider vinegar: Provides necessary acidity while giving the little bite of bit that is traditional to a classic cheese sauce recipe.

Sea salt and garlic powder: Offer key cheesy flavors to this dairy-free cheese sauce.

How To Make Nut-Free Cheese Sauce

• In a high-speed blender, toss in all ingredients and puree until smooth and thick.
• Feel free to add more water as needed to loosen to desired consistency
• Use immediately in cooking or store in an airtight container in the fridge up to 5 days.

How do I store Sweet Potato Cheese Sauce?

Store in an airtight container in the refridgerator for up to 5 days.

Can this nutritional yeast cheese sauce be frozen?

Sure can! Simply place in a freezer-safe container or freezer Ziplock bag and lay flat in the freezer for up to 2 months. Allow to thaw overnight in the fridge and then warm up according to the directions below.

How do I reheat this dairy-free cheese sauce?

When ready to use, reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals until warmed through, stirring frequently to ensure it’s smooth.

It can also be reheated via stovetop in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until simmering. Whisk frequently to remove any lumps.

More Dairy-Free Recipes To Try

• 10+ Best Dairy-Free Soup Recipes
• 8+ Caffeine-Free Beverage Recipes
• Paleo Banana Cream Pie Parfaits
• AIP Vanilla Ice Cream
• Chocolate Avocado Pudding
• 3 Dairy-Free Cheese Sauce Recipes

Love sweet potato? Here are more Paleo and AIP-friendly recipes using sweet potato!