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

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By:Alison Marras

March 26, 2020

(updated February 18, 2022)

4.52 from 81 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

4.60 from 42 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)

4.52 from 81 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 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.

Can you eat non-dairy cheese on Whole30? ›

Almond-based “ricotta” or “cream cheese,” cashew-based “queso” dips, and nut-based Alfredo sauces can be part of your Plant-Based Whole30 elimination, as long as their ingredients are compatible.

Is nutritional yeast AIP? ›

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!

Is there a paleo cheese? ›

Almond Cream Cheese (Fast Paleo) – contains nuts (almonds) Paleo Cream Cheese Frosting (Swiss Paleo) – contains nuts (cashews) Dairy-Free Cultured Cream “Cheese” (Tasty Yummies via Paleo Parents) – nut-free. Macadamia Nut Ricotta (Nom Nom Paleo via Serious Eats) – contains nuts (macadamias)

What is the best cheese for anti-inflammatory diet? ›

Swiss, provolone, Cheddar and Gouda are some examples. According to 2019 research in the Journal of Dairy Science, cheese may offer a stable environment for probiotics to live in, thanks to its high fat content, pH and high water activity.

What are the top 5 worst autoimmune diseases? ›

What Are The Most Serious Autoimmune Diseases?
  • Giant Cell Myocarditis. Giant cell myocarditis is a very rare autoimmune disorder causing inflammation of the heart. ...
  • Vasculitis. ...
  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) ...
  • Lupus. ...
  • Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis.
Aug 5, 2022

Why is ghee allowed on Whole30? ›

While the Whole30 program rules don't allow dairy, ghee is allowed because when made properly, the lactose is removed from the butter making it as close to dairy free as possible. You can purchase ghee in many stores or add it to your next Thrive Market order, but it's very easy to make your own from scratch.

Is hummus Whole30? ›

Hummus lovers rejoice. On the Plant-Based Whole30 program, you can enjoy traditional hummus made with chickpeas! A great and healthy way to snack when you need a little something to get you through to the next meal, hummus and plant-based dips with veggies is a win-win.

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 almond milk ok for AIP? ›

Oat, hemp seed, almond, flaxseed, and cashew milks are not AIP-compliant because they come from nuts and seeds. Still, they are a better option than cow's milk to heal your gut and reduce symptoms.

What fruits are not allowed on AIP? ›

Fruits. Aim for a few servings per day to get a diverse range of fruits in an array of colors. Apples, berries, citrus fruits, melons, stone fruits, and winter and summer squashes are all AIP compliant, just remember to avoid all nightshades!

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.

Is Daiya cheese paleo-friendly? ›

This product contains 4 ingredients that are not paleo and 2 ingredients that may not be paleo. Which diet do you follow? Follow more than one?

Why is there no cheese on paleo? ›

Dairy. A strict paleo diet does not allow dairy products because hunter-gatherers did not milk cows. This includes milk, butter, yogurt, sour cream and cheese.

Is cheese OK for autoimmune disease? ›

Eggs: You may want to avoid eggs and any foods that contain them. Dairy: People with autoimmune diseases may want to stop drinking or eating any type of animal milk, such as cow's, sheep's, and goat's milk, and foods that derive from them, such as cheese, butter, cream, and dairy-based protein powders and supplements.

Is mild cheddar cheese anti-inflammatory? ›

All dairy foods including milk, cheese, and yogurt, as well as dairy proteins, like whey and casein, were found in several systematic reviews to be anti-inflammatory or to have a neutral effect on inflammation. Learn more about dairy's role in fighting inflammation here.

Can you have dairy on AIP? ›

The AIP Diet eliminates nuts, seeds, grains, legumes, dairy, eggs, food additives, nightshade family vegetables, and processed foods such as processed vegetable oils and processed sugars during the elimination phase of the diet. You should also avoid consuming certain drugs such as tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine.

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