The BEST Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce Ever!
The BEST Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce Ever! is the creamiest, tastiest, and easiest vegan cheese sauce I have created to date. It is also the best tasting vegan nacho cheese I have ever consumed! After years of messin’ around and trying to create the best vegan nacho cheese sauce one can possibly make, I dare say, I have finally done it. The texture is absolutely incredible and the flavor is outta this world. Okay, so I’m not gonna be humble in this post ’cause this kicks some serious vegan nacho cheese ass! My husband greatly dislikes and will not eat almost every single ingredient in this sauce, but absolutely LOVED this cheese sauce. If you knew my husband, you’d know that this is sayin’ something. I have a million and five ways you could alter this for different styles as well. Typically, I say, “use whatever is in your fridge and use my recipe as a guide,” however, in this case, to achieve flavor and texture I would state that you should follow this recipe as closely as possible. If you’d like to have a different style of vegan nacho cheese sauce I’d recommend the following:
Add vegan chorizo! Trader Joes makes a bomb one!
Add even more jalapenos!
Add cilantro (had I had this in my fridge I absolutely would’ve done this)
Add taco seasoning for a flare
Jazz it up with a smoky (or any) hot sauce
Vegan or not, this is a much healthier version of a cheese sauce and it literally takes a mere 5 minutes to make. If I sold my, “The BEST Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce Ever!” I would promise you a money back guarantee if you were not 100% satisfied. Get down with some corn tortillas chips, sweet peppers, and margaritas on your next beautiful weekend!
- 1 C raw cashews
- 1/4 C nutritional yeast
- 1 1/4 tsp Braggs Liquid Aminos OR soy sauce
- 1 Tbl vegan cream cheese
- 1 Tbl dijon mustard
- Approximately 10 pickled jalapenos
- 2 Tbl Ortega Taco Sauce (or another thick taco sauce)
- 2 small cloves of garlic
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp coriander
- Place all of the ingredients in a mini food processor or anything that will chop/grind well and puree until completely smooth and creamy
- Serve with your choice of chips or veggies
- I served this at room temperature. If you refrigerate and serve again you can quickly heat it up.
- Feel free to add: vegan chorizo, more jalapenos, cilantro, and/or taco seasoning
- Negra Modelo or another light and crisp beer
- OR
- A margarita of your choice
The BEST Super Bowl LV Vegan Party Appetizers!
It is vegan super bowl party time again! The BEST Super Bowl LV Vegan Party Appetizers! Are easy, delicious, and will please both vegans and non-vegans alike. Good food is good food, friends. Go _________(insert your team here)_________!
Below is a list of my favorite vegan Super Bowl recipes. Just click on the name of the recipe to bring you directly to its link.
The BEST Super Bowl LV Vegan Party Appetizers!
Southwestern style appetizers –
Cheesy Vegan Sweet Potato Fries Nacho Style!
Vegan Buffalo Chickpea Collard Green Wraps
Mediterranean & Mexican Inspired Vegan Hot Dogs!
Asian-inspired appetizers –
Vegetable Gyoza Recipe – Vegan
Tadka Dal & Curried Yellow Lentils & Potatoes (Vegan)
Random classic appetizers –
Tofu Tuna (As a dip-replace greek
yogurt with vegan yogurt or mayo)!
Spicy Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Fried Green Tomatoes with Special Sauce (vegan)!
Italian-inspired appetizers –
Bruschetta (Use a vegan parm or nooch)!
Creamy Vegan Macaroni and Cheese!
Homemade Vegan Pepperoni Pizza
*Click HERE to bring you to my first Super Bowl recipe post ever!
For your Super Bowl vegan food prep. Enjoy! (The most American piece of classical pieces of music out there) …
15 Awesome Vegan Recipes for the Fall!
So, it’s been a while… a long while. I am making a vow right now that I am going to get my shit together and start blogging like I was doing before summer hit. In fact, I’m gonna blog ten times f’in’ harder than that! Why? Well, one, because I LOVE it! Two, because I’m listening to “Crushing It!” by, Gary Vaynerchuk and I am sooo inspired! It literally makes me want to pull my car over mid-drive and start blogging, writing my book, and starting my podcast. I freakin’ heart you hard, Gary. 😉
Okay, back to the title of this post: 15 Awesome Vegan Recipes for the Fall! I have compiled 15 of my favorite autumnal recipes (appetizers, salad, soups, pasta, cocktails etc) from the archives of this blog that make my soul warmer and happier in what should be called, the BEST season of the year. Who doesn’t love fall foliage, the crisp air, apple and pumpkin picking, tractor rides at farms, corn mazes at farms, all things pumpkin spice, all things maple, and of course, some warm food on a cold day?! Obviously, only the soulless! Click on the recipe title to bring you directly to the link. See you all soon… -FGG
PS- My mother had said she was listening to George Winston’s “Autumn” the other day which has inspired the musical selection for this post. Totally reminds me of my childhood!
SOUPS:
Pumpkin Coconut Curry Soup, Creamy Vegan Carrot Sweet Potato Mushroom Soup, Creamy Vegan Broccoli Soup, Lentil Soup with Sautéed Mushrooms
APPETIZERS & SALAD:
Artichoke & Balsamic Parmesan Hummus (replace real parm for vegan parm – GO VEGGIE is my fave), The BEST Vegan Nach Cheese Sauce Ever! (who doesn’t love nachos during game season?!), Sautéed Veggie & Farro Spiralized Zucchini Salad
MEALS:
Vegan Pumpkin Mac n’ Cheese, Vegan Mushroom and Lentil Wellington, Crazy Delicious Veggie Couscous, Spaghetti Squash with Cheesy Marinara, Lentil Sloppy Joe’s (replace shredded cheese with vegan shredded cheese like Daiya’s)
COCKTAILS & DESSERT:
A Maple Bourbon Fling Named Rosemary, Warm & Delicious Spiked Choco-Coffee, 3 Minute/4 Ingredient Hot Chocolate Mini-Mug Cake (Replace Egg with Follow Your Heart Vegan Egg – this stuff is awesome!)
The Cheesiest Vegan Broccoli & Cheddar Baked Potato Ever!
The Cheesiest Vegan Broccoli & Cheddar Baked Potato Ever! is made with an incredibly easy, cheesy, healthy, and delicious vegan cheddar cheese sauce. This is my staple sauce for nachos (I add taco seasoning and cilantro to that one), some of my mac n’ cheese recipes, or to pour over veggies or fries. If you are NOT a lover of nutritional yeast (nooch), this isn’t the sauce for you. However, if you ARE a lover of nooch, like myself, you’ll find yourself drooling even thinking about this cheesy goodness! To me, this is sex in a potato. If a potato were ever sexy, this potato would have high heels and look like Christy Brinkley.
I received loads of potatoes from my Organics to You delivery and kept saying that I was going to make these broccoli and cheddar baked potatoes. However, I kept making fries on the grill because my wee man is totally obsessed with them. Last week, the craving was real so I made a TON of my vegan cheese sauce to make sure that I could fully smother my two potatoes with cheesiness and broccoli (they weren’t both for me, I’m not that much of a fatty – though my soul totally is 🙂 – carb whore 4eva!). Besides having a baked potato that’s actually baked well, the gluttonous cheese factor is most definitely the foundation for goodness in this recipe.
I stabbed the crap outta the potato (great way to let out post-concert rehearsal stressors – LOL), and rubbed it with olive oil, Himalayan pink salt, and cracked pepper, then baked it. The rest is on the recipe card. Easy as _________ (whatever works for you – certainly not pie, that’s not easy, that’s BS). Lastly, as per my new Youtube additions to my posts, I’ve left you with what I was listening to when making this glorious cheesy vegan broccoli & cheddar baked potato. Enjoy the tunes and the grub! -FGG
- 2 large potatoes
- 1 3/4 C broccoli florets
- 1/4 - 1/3 C nutritional yeast
- 3 Tbl flour (I used whole wheat)
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt & cracked pepper to taste (I use little to no salt due to the broth)
- Himalayan pink salt (or other salt) for potato
- 1 tsp Better Than Bouillon Vegetable Base paste
- 1 Tbl dijon mustard
- 2 tsp soy sauce (I used Bragg's Aminos)
- 2 C water
- Oil for pan
- Heat oven to 425f
- Wash potatoes and rub with olive oil, Himalayan salt, & cracked pepper
- Stab potatoes with fork
- Leave in oven for 50-60 minutes -turn potatoes about every 20 minutes
- Remove from oven - let cool for 5 minutes and cut in half - be sure to NOT cut through to the bottom
- Remove about 1-2 Tbl of potato from the insides
- Heat oil in pan on medium - medium high - add flour - mix constantly for 1 minute
- Add bouillon paste and slowly add water and yeast - stir to break up clumps for 3-5 minutes
- Add broccoli and turn up to medium high - be sure to stir if it bubbles
- Add dijon, soy, oregano, onion and garlic powders, and any salt & pepper you'd like -stir occasionally for 5-7 minutes
- The sauce should be thickening from the flour and yeast
- Remove from heat or let thicken more
- Pour hot cheese & broccoli sauce over the baked potatoes
- Enjoy!
- Beer - Lager
- Red- Pinot Noir
- White- Dry Sauvignon Blanc or Cotes du Rhone
Cheesy Vegan Sweet Potato Fries Nacho Style!
Cheesy Vegan Sweet Potato Fries Nacho Style! are officially my most favorite appetizer/meal/party food of the month. The flavor is as loud as the bright & bold colors in the pictures. Imagine the loudest and ‘bestest’ mariachi band in your mouth, costumes included, and you’ve arrived at the level of deliciousness in this dish. 😉 I’ll definitely be making these for a Cinco de Mayo party this year for sure.
I sliced and grilled sweet potatoes on the BBQ – french fry style. However, first I coated them in grape seed oil and taco seasoning for an even bigger flavor explosion. MWAH! I sliced up some sweet bell peppers I had to get rid of, grilled corn and then cut it off the cob, and then smothered the nachos in avocado, cilantro, and a DELICIOUS vegan nacho cheese sauce with spinach. I scarfed them down at a disgusting speed and then washed them down with a frozen homemade mango margarita. All my calories for the day? Yeah, probably… Worth it? TOTALLLYYYYY!
Cheesy Vegan Sweet Potato Fries Nacho Style! can easily be a lunch, dinner, appetizer, party plate, Cinco de Mayo grub, summertime grub, or literally anytime grub! Go getcha mariachi on in yo’ mouth and groove it up with a mango marg! 😉
- 2 sweet potatoes - grill as fries OR 20oz bag of frozen sweet potato fries (cooked)
- 4 sweet mini peppers - sliced
- 1 small avocado - sliced OR 1/2 a large avocado - sliced
- 1/4 C cilantro leaves
- 1 ear of corn - grilled and cut off the cob
- 1/3 C salsa
- Hot sauce to taste
- 1 C large spinach leaves loosely packed OR 1/2 cup if you're using baby spinach
- 1/4 C nutritional yeast
- 3 Tbl flour
- 1 Tbl soy sauce (I use Bragg's Aminos)
- 1 Tbl dijion mustard
- 3 Tbl fresh cilantro
- 1/2 tsp Better Than Bouillon's Vegetable base or another broth paste OR about 1/4 C liquid vegetable broth
- 3 Tbl of onion - diced
- 2 Tbl taco seasoning - leveled
- 1 C unsweetened vegan milk (I used soy)
- 1/2 C - 1 C water (this is optional, however, you may need this to make the sauce creamier - add it slowly and stir before adding more)
- 3 Tbl vegan butter
- Salt to taste
- Heat pan with butter on medium heat and then add onion and a dash of salt - stir occasionally for 3 minutes
- Add the flour and and stir very well until it becomes thick and creamy like a roux
- Add the milk and stir in until there are no bumps
- Add the nutritional yeast, soy, mustard, taco seasoning, broth, and cilantro - stir until creamy
- Add the spinach, water, and any salt you might like to add - stir until you have your desired consistency from adding water and then turn heat to low
- On a serving dish, place the fries, peppers, and add some of the nacho sauce - layering as you go
- Top with salsa, avocado, cilantro, and hot sauce
- A mango or any other margarita
- OR
- Mexican beer
Vegan Appetizers for Super Bowl 2018!
Vegan Appetizers for Super Bowl 2018! This will be my 3rd year posting Super Bowl apps. In the past, they’ve been both veg and vegan. This year, they’re solely vegan! (Like me) 😉 Now, I’d be totally lying to you if I said that I knew shit about football. I’d also like to state that I was in the marching band in HS. Still, I know nothing. To be fair, we had the WORST football team on Long Island. We excelled only in soccer and lacrosse. However, our marching band was the best on the island. Aahhh… memories… me and my lil’ clarinet, band clinic, hat & plume, a uniform that didn’t fit well, crushes on virtually all jazz musicians, scavenger hunts, Hofstra performances etc… good times. I digress (as usual), in that trip down memory lane, I should’ve included: football games. I’ve always wanted to be into football. My husband and I used to chat about coming back to live in the US and becoming huge football fans. Bringing our kiddo to the games, wearing jerseys, having people over to watch the Super Bowl etc. So far, none of this has happened. I LOVE the comradery that football fans have with one another. I envy my friends who all get together to watch games, drink, and eat. It sounds amazing! This year, I’ve purchased a Nerf football and I am adamant that I will toss this with my wee man, paint black lines under our eyes, eat game time appetizers, and shout things like “Blitz!,” “Get rid of the ball!,” “RUNNNN!!!” All whilst not having a f#$%ing clue as to what I’m sayin’, ya know?! Anyway, it seems fun and better than simply watching it for the commercials and the halftime show (which often blows). Okay, done with my stories. Enjoy the Vegan Appetizers for Super Bowl 2018! Game time! “Go ___________!”
Here are the links to all of the pictures! (CLICK ON RECIPE TITLE FOR LINK)!
Tofu Tuna (As a dip-replace greek yogurt with vegan yogurt or mayo)!
Vegan Chicken Enchiladas & Jalapeño Margaritas!
Vegan Chicken Enchiladas & Jalapeño Margaritas! was shot at night on New Year’s Eve so the pics are poop. 🙁 However, I’ve been on my death bed with bronchitis and a cold/flu for almost a week now so it’s all I’ve got in the archives. I felt like crap-o-la at work on Friday, thought I was recovering on Saturday (went to Manzanita, OR – the coast – b/c it was beautiful that day) until my cough started up and bought me to the ER because urgent care was closed. Sigh… sickness blows. And, you know I’m sick when I don’t even want to eat food… that means I’m for reaaalllzzz sick.
Okay, back to the food. I tried packaged jackfruit that was pre-seasoned last year and I thought it was totally gross. However, many people have told me to make it myself and give it a second go, so, I did. I purchased it in a can at Trader Joe’s and seasoned it myself. Was awesome! NOTHING like the crap I had bought pre-packaged. Honestly, it reminded me of an artichoke. I made my own vegan cheese sauce, used red and green enchilada sauces (Christmas enchiladas), and, of course, had to make my famous spicy jalapeño margaritas to go with! Especially, since I was chef-ing this up for the new year! Bubbles during the EST & PST ball drops and margs the rest of the night. WOo-hOo!
Enjoy the recipes and my pics from Manzanita! I threw in one from our walk downtown on New Year’s Eve before the margs and enchiladas (G was super upset he couldn’t play in the fountain. 😉 Cheers to a MUCH warmer winter than last!
- 1 can Trader Joe's Jackfruit - sliced into thin strips
- 2 Tbl Trader Joe's Onion Salt
- 1 Tbl taco seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic - chopped
- 1 C onion -diced
- 1/2 C red enchilada sauce
- 1/4 C green enchilada sauce
- 3-4 C vegan cheese sauce (I used my own recipe - in recipe index on blog)
- 8 tortilla shells
- Oil for pan
- Salt to taste
- 10 limes - juiced
- 1 1/2 C tequila
- 1/2 C pickled jalapeño - sliced
- 4 oz orange juice
- 2 oz orange liquor of choice (Cointreau or Triple Sec)
- 2 Tbl agave or honey
- Pinch of salt
- Ice
- Preheat oven to 350f
- In a pan over medium heat, add onion in oil with a pinch of salt and cook for about 3 minutes
- Add garlic and cook for an additional minute
- Add jackfruit, onion salt, salt, taco seasoning, and stir occasionally for about 8-10 minutes or until slightly browned
- In a separate pan, spray with oil and layer the bottom with some enchilada sauce
- Evenly spread the jackfruit and cheese into each of the 8 tortillas
- Roll them up and place in pan
- Cover fully with the rest of the enchilada sauces and bake for approximately 15-20 minutes or until lightly crisped
- For the margaritas: (Make whilst the enchiladas are baking)
- Place all of the ingredients into a pitcher and mix well
- To serve, take a shaker with ice, pour mix over ice, and pour into individual margarita glasses - the jalapeños should be strained with the ice and therefore neither should enter the margarita glasses
- Margarita recipe makes about 6
- Enchilada recipe makes 8
12 Mexican Inspired Munchies & Meals – Vegetarian & Vegan!
12 Mexican Inspired Munchies & Meals – Vegetarian & Vegan! Has been a post I’ve been meaning to make for ages. Glad I waited since I’ve created a few more faves since then. Honestly, I don’t know one single person who dislikes, scratch that, doesn’t absolutely LOVE Mexican inspired food! It’s an amazing cuisine for veg-heads and vegans alike. If you’re a carb whore like myself, and this food is not your jam, I sit here, flabbergasted. If you are in fact of my ilk, then you’ll love these meals by washing them down with a serious margarita or beer. The first is usually preferred, as beer can put my guaranteed-to-be-stuffed belly over the top in fullness.
I thought about waiting to post this for Cinco de Mayo but now is a perfect time with the cold coming in. Time to stay at home, have friends over, cook, drink, and eat! Pretty sure this is what I live for (besides my fabulous wee man of course). Click on the recipe name below the pic for the recipe. Let me know your faves in the comment section! 🙂
Recipes in order of pictures:
Crazy Creamy Mexican Pasta, Holy Sh#% Loaded Nachos!, Lentil & Tofu Breakfast Quesadillas, Amazing Classic Guacamole, Buffalo Cauliflower Bowl, The BEST vegan nacho cheese sauce ever!, Vegetarian Chicken Street Tacos, G’s Arugula White Bean Quesadilla, Mexican Vegan Sushi Rolls, Green Goddess Cheesy Quesadilla, Easy Spinach & Mushroom Cheesy Quesadillas, Vegan & Vegetarian Huevos Rancheros
*Recipes from the archives and many of them on Foodgawker & Food52!