Easy Cheesy Broccoli without Dairy, Gluten, Nuts, or Soy

Remember that classic favorite of broccoli drenched in a warm, gooey cheese sauce? This broccoli with dairy-free cheese sauce is an allergy-friendly spin on that nostalgic dish. I’ve perfected a creamy, flavorful, and relatively lightly cheesy sauce that’s made without dairy, gluten, nuts, and soy! It’s also quick to make, and the perfect way to get your family excited about eating vegetables.

Why You’ll Love this Broccoli with Dairy-Free Cheese Sauce

• Deliciously Creamy & Cheesy: This sauce has a rich, velvety texture and a savory, cheesy flavor that turns broccoli into comfort food.
• Fast & Easy: The broccoli cooks while you whip up the sauce, all in just 15 minutes. All you do is whisk and cook – no blender mess needed!
• No Advanced Prep: You won’t need to soak cashews, pre-cook potatoes, or do ay other prep ahead of time. It’s a great last-minute side.
• Allergy-Friendly: Unlike other dairy-free cheese sauces, this one is made without nuts, soy, and even gluten.
• Nutritious: Broccoli is naturally high in dairy-free calcium, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin A, and various other micronutrients. Gently steaming it helps to preserve the most nutrition.

Recipe FAQs

Can I Make the Vegan Cheese Sauce Ahead of Time?

Yes! The sauce will keep up to 1 week in an airtight container in your refrigerator, as long as your milk alternative is fresh. It will thicken as it chills. Reheat it over medium-low heat on the stovetop, adding water or milk alternative as needed. Whisk as it heats until smooth and creamy.

I Don’t Have Nutritional Yeast. Is There a Substitute?

Nutritional yeast really is key to the cheesy taste without a lot of extra ingredients. It melds with the spices for more depth in flavor. I buy it online, but you can easily find it at natural food stores and sometimes in mainstream grocers. It’s very lightweight, so the packages of it are much bigger than you might think! If you haven’t used it before and are nervous, just get a small package to start. It will still contain much more than you need, which you can use in many other recipes.

Which Milk Alternative Works Best?

I personally like to use coconut milk beverage, which is the drinkable type, not the type of coconut milk in cans. It is inexpensive, adds richness, and doesn’t add much flavor. Your favorite unsweetened milk alternative should work fine, but make sure the taste isn’t sweet and that the flavor pairs well with the sauce.

Special Diet Notes: Broccoli with Dairy-Free Cheese Sauce

By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, optionally nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, plant-based, top food allergy-friendly, and vegetarian. Just be sure to choose milk and butter alternatives that suit your dietary needs.

Alisa Fleming

Broccoli with Dairy-Free Cheese Sauce

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This creamy, mild cheesy sauce is a delicious complement to hearty broccoli. Plus, it's ready in minutes! You can make the sauce while the broccoli steams for even faster preparation.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Servings: 3 servings

Course: Side

Cuisine: American

Calories: 108

Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

• 12 ounces broccoli florets about 3 1/2 cups
• ½ cup cold water
• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• ¼ + ⅛ teaspoon salt divided
• ¼ teaspoon dry mustard powder
• ¼ teaspoon paprika regular or smoked
• Pinch cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon dairy-free buttery spread
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened dairy-free milk alternative plus additional as needed
• ½ teaspoon fresh-squeezed lemon juice or to taste
• Black pepper to taste (optional)

Method

 

1. Steam the broccoli until crisp-tender, about 4 to 7 minutes.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the water, nutritional yeast, starch, 1/4 teaspoon salt, mustard, paprika, and cayenne until the starch is dissolved.
3. Melt the butter alternative in a skillet or saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in the starch mixture. Cook and whisk until the sauce thickens, about 3 to 5 minutes.
4. When thick, whisk in the milk beverage, lemon juice, and remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt (or to taste). Stir in some black pepper, if desired.
5. Plate the broccoli and immediately pour on the cheesy sauce.
6. The sauce will thicken as it cools. If it's too thick, just whisk in more milk alternative. If it clumps, just whisk, it will smooth out.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/3 recipeCalories: 108kcalCarbohydrates: 14.4gProtein: 6.4gFat: 3.5gSaturated Fat: 0.6gSodium: 381mgFiber: 4.3gSugar: 2.1g

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Recipe Variations

• Mexican-Style Cheese Sauce: Omit the black pepper. Whisk in some of your favorite salsa, as desired. I use about 1/4 cup.
• Roasted Broccoli: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss the broccoli florets with 2 teaspoons oil and spread them out on the baking sheet. Roast the broccoli in a 400ºF oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until browned on the edges.
• Make it a Meal: Serve the broccoli with dairy-free cheese sauce over rice. Add leftover cooked chicken or tofu for a quick, healthy lunch or dinner.
• Other Veggies: This simple vegan cheese sauce is also delicious on steamed or roasted cauliflower and carrots.

Also Try Our Dairy-Free Broccoli Cheese Tots Recipe!