3 Dairy-Free Cheese Sauce Recipes (Paleo, Whole30, AIP) (2024)

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By:Alison Marras

March 26, 2020

(updated February 18, 2022)

4.51 from 79 votes

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What’s Inside: Looking for the best dairy-free cheese sauce? Here are three recipes to make on repeat. Plus, they’re Paleo, Whole30, and AIP!

3 Dairy-Free Cheese Sauce Recipes (Paleo, Whole30, AIP) (1)

The Best Cheese Sauce Is Dairy-Free!

When I first eliminated dairy from my diet many moons ago, I felt a lot of things. I felt way better, I saw less skin breakouts and irritations, and my digestion improved, to name a few. But, I also felt a dairy-shaped gaping hole in the depth of my soul. And so began the search for dairy-free substitutes to be able to enjoy the foods I missed most like mac and cheese, ice cream, and, of course, a good ol’ cheese board.

This post is all about the sauce, though, because cheese sauce can be used in so many different ways. Between pouring it on veggies, gluten-free pasta, veggie noodles, and using it in casseroles, it’s become quite a staple in my fridge because it’s easy to make and delicious!

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The three best dairy-free cheese sauces highlighted in this post are my go-to’s, and two of them are AIP-friendly, meaning they’re nut-free, vegan, and packed with veggies. This is also a great way to get kids or picky eaters to consume more veggies (in a sneaky way).

…Cue the evil laugh – muahaha!

3 Dairy-Free Cheese Sauce Recipes (Paleo, Whole30, AIP) (2)

What You Need To Make Dairy-Free Cheese

  • Nutritional Yeast: Different from bakers or brewer’s yeast, this is a pivotal ingredient in dairy-free cheese recipes. It provides a cheesy-like taste. This is the brand I use.
  • Lemon Juice or Vinegar: This helps with that little bite that cheese has and brings something acidic to your recipe.
  • Cauliflower, Nuts, Coconut, or Potato: Something that will be creamy in texture whether it be from fat (nuts, coconut) or starch (like potato or arrowroot starch).

3 Dairy-Free Cheese Sauce Recipes (Paleo, Whole30, AIP) (3)

Ways To Use Dairy-Free Cheese Sauce

  • Butternut Squash Lasagna
  • Spaghetti Squash Pastit*io (Baked Ziti)
  • Spaghetti Squash Alfredo
  • As a dip on a platter
  • Poured over tortilla chips as a vegan nacho cheese sauce
  • Use it on any pasta dish
  • Drizzle over broccoli or Brussels sprouts for a cheesy green veggie dish
  • 3 Dairy-Free Cheese Sauce Recipes (Paleo, Whole30, AIP) (4)
  • 3 Dairy-Free Cheese Sauce Recipes (Paleo, Whole30, AIP) (5)
  • 3 Dairy-Free Cheese Sauce Recipes (Paleo, Whole30, AIP) (6)
  • 3 Dairy-Free Cheese Sauce Recipes (Paleo, Whole30, AIP) (7)

The Top 3 Dairy-Free (and Vegan) Cheese Sauce Recipes

Creamy Dairy-Free Cheese Sauce from Cauliflower

4.26 from 78 votes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

3 Dairy-Free Cheese Sauce Recipes (Paleo, Whole30, AIP) (8)

This nut-free, AIP, and paleo-friendly vegan cheese sauce is so good! The extra creamy texture comes from a combination of steamed cauliflower and coconut cream. Best part? It only requires 10 minutes of prep and stays fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days!

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The Best & Easiest Paleo Cashew Cheese Sauce

4.46 from 51 votes

Total Time: 2 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

3 Dairy-Free Cheese Sauce Recipes (Paleo, Whole30, AIP) (9)

This quick and easy Paleo cashew cheese sauce recipe is a staple in my fridge. Toss the ingredients into a blender and puree until smooth and thick. Lather it on pasta, nachos, tacos, and so much more – the options are endless for this versatile cashew cheese sauce. Whole30 friendly and vegan too!

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Dairy-Free Sweet Potato Cheese Sauce

4.59 from 41 votes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

3 Dairy-Free Cheese Sauce Recipes (Paleo, Whole30, AIP) (10)

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!

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More Healthy, Dairy-free Recipe Collections

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3 Dairy-Free Cheese Sauce Recipes (Paleo, Whole30, AIP) (11)

Sweet Potato Cheese Sauce (+ more Dairy-free Cheese Sauce Recipes)

4.51 from 79 votes

This easy coconut-free sauce is so creamy and dreamy! It's AIP, Paleo, and Whole30.

PrintPin

Author: Alison Marras

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Yield: 6

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked and cooled white sweet potato (skin peeled off)
  • 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

Instructions:

  • Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until your sauce forms, add more water as needed to loosen and use in cooking or store for up to 5-days in the fridge.

Notes:

This Sweet Potato Cheese Sauce Recipe was adapted from Rachel’s delicious one @meatified!

Course: Sauce

-Alison Marras

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

browse more recipes:

AIP Cauliflower Dairy-free Gluten-free Grain-free Nightshade-free Nut-free Paleo Potatoes Recipe Roundups Recipes Staples Whole30

3 Dairy-Free Cheese Sauce Recipes (Paleo, Whole30, AIP) (12)

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3 Dairy-Free Cheese Sauce Recipes (Paleo, Whole30, AIP) (2024)

FAQs

Can you have dairy free cheese on Whole30? ›

Kite Hill Almond Milk Ricotta

Ingredients: Almond milk (water, almonds), salt, enzymes, tartaric acid, cultures. * Kite Hill is the exclusive Whole30 Approved® plant-based cheese partner!

Can you eat cheese on an AIP diet? ›

An AIP diet avoids all processed foods, alcohol, additives, refined sugars, coffee, tea, oils, and certain medications. In the elimination phase, a person will also avoid foods such as grains, legumes, dairy, eggs, and nightshade vegetables, but they may reintroduce these later.

What cheese can you have on Whole30? ›

Understanding Whole30 “Cheese”

Although traditional, dairy-derived cheese is a no-go during a Whole30, there's a world of dairy-free cheesy elements that's compatible. These include: Almond-based “ricotta” or “cream cheeses,” like select varieties from Kite Hill.

Is Braggs nutritional yeast AIP compliant? ›

Nutritional yeast is an AIP approved food that is commonly used to add a cheesy flavour to dishes. And in this recipe, it does just that as the parmesan substitute. It's also exceptionally high in B vitamins, which helps to boost those energy levels!

Can you eat dairy-free cheese on paleo? ›

Melted tapioca cheese - the best dairy-free Paleo AIP cheese! Easy to make vegan, too. Tapioca cheese looks, feels, and acts just like fresh mozzarella. It has a mild flavor that works both as a topping for pizza and other savory dishes, and even in some dessert recipes as well!

What cheese is naturally dairy free? ›

Hard cheeses such as cheddar, colby, Swiss, mozzarella and Monterey Jack “are virtually lactose-free,” Cifelli explains. Additionally aged cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano are virtually lactose free. At less than 1 mg lactose per 100 grams even the Italian Ministry of Health allows it to be labeled as such.

What are the top 5 worst autoimmune diseases? ›

There are some worst autoimmune disease conditions that may affect life expectancy.
  • Autoimmune myocarditis.
  • Multiple sclerosis.
  • Lupus.
  • Type 1 diabetes.
  • Vasculitis.
  • Myasthenia gravis.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Psoriasis.

What cheese is not inflammatory? ›

In particular, goat cheese contains A2 casein, with an anti-inflammatory effect for the human body. Crumbled goat cheese can be added to salads, pizzas and eggs. In addition, whipped goat cheese can also be used to flavor fruit or vegetables.

What is the Hashimoto's AIP diet? ›

The Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet is designed for people with autoimmune diseases. It removes potentially harmful foods like grains, dairy, nightshades, added sugar, coffee, legumes, eggs, alcohol, nuts, seeds, refined sugars, oils, and food additives ( 2 ).

What condiments can you have on Whole30? ›

Store-bought yellow mustard, hot sauce and vinegar are normally free of all sweeteners and are thus fair game on Whole30. Not all condiments are created equal though, so it's important to continue checking your labels.

Is peanut butter okay on Whole30? ›

Though peanuts and peanut butter aren't allowed on the Whole30 program, other nuts and nut butters are. Cashew butter is loaded with nutrients like healthy fats, magnesium, manganese, and copper. Its smooth, sweet taste pairs well with apples ( 1 ).

Is Daiya cheese Whole30 compliant? ›

Can you have cheese on the Plant-Based Whole30? Nope. You can't have ANY dairy on any Whole30 program, including milk, cream, cheese, or ice cream. Specifically, the Plant-Based Whole30 program does not allow for any animal products what so ever.

Is Stevia OK on AIP diet? ›

Non-AIP compliant sugars

In general, artificial sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup, and natural sweeteners that do not have calories (such as stevia) should be avoided, especially in the elimination phase of the AIP diet.

Can you eat zucchini on an AIP diet? ›

AIP diet food list. Examples of foods you can eat while on the AIP diet include: Vegetables that aren't nightshade vegetables like cucumbers, spinach, sweet potatoes and zucchini. Fresh fruits like apples, oranges, mangos, strawberries, bananas and blueberries.

Is apple cider vinegar OK on AIP diet? ›

Vinegars: Most vinegars, including apple cider and balsamic vinegar, are allowed. Alternative flours: Grain-free flours are acceptable for the AIP diet. These include cassava flour, tapioca starch, coconut flour, tigernut flour, and arrowroot starch.

Can you have non-dairy milk on Whole30? ›

You're welcome. You can drink it black; add unsweetened compatible nutpods, coconut milk, or almond milk; blend in Bub's MCT oil; or add cinnamon or vanilla beans to the brew. Remember, Whole30 guidelines exclude milk, cream, non-compatible milk substitutes, and any form of added sweeteners.

Can you be dairy-free and eat cheese? ›

Make Better Cheese Choices

With lactose intolerance, you can still eat cheese, but choose carefully. Hard, aged cheeses like Swiss, parmesan, and cheddars are lower in lactose. Other low-lactose cheese options include cottage cheese or feta cheese made from goat or sheep's milk.

Does Whole30 exclude dairy? ›

On Whole30, you can eat meat, vegetables, fruit, tree nuts and seeds, and healthy fats. However, you must avoid sugar, grains, legumes, dairy, alcohol, and processed food additives. Although it would be difficult and very restrictive to maintain long term, the Whole30 is designed to be done only for 30 days.

Is dairy-free no cheese? ›

A dairy-free diet includes avoiding all or most dairy products including milk, butter, yoghurt, cheese, cream and ice cream.

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