Tofu Cheese Sauce that’s Ready in 10 Minutes or Less

Lately, I find myself reaching for more “old-school” recipes. The abundance of highly processed cheese alternatives and oat milk-everything have made me long for real food. And this dairy-free tofu cheese sauce is just that. It’s adapted from a cookbook that was published in 1993, back when most people had never heard the word vegan.

This Tofu Cheese Sauce Recipe is Rich in Flavor & Protein

Be prepared for the bold taste of this from-scratch tofu cheese sauce recipe. It’s adapted from May All be Fed by John Robbins, an author who takes both taste and nutrition seriously. We’ve made a couple minor modifications, but have stayed true to his formula. I’ve also added nutrition information, and have answers to some FAQs below.

What is Silken Tofu? Can I Use Regular Tofu?

Silken tofu has a smoother texture than regular tofu. Extra-firm silken tofu will make a thicker sauce than firm silken tofu. I use Mori-nu brand, which is sold in shelf-stable packages. But you can sometimes find silken tofu in the refrigerated tofu section. You can use regular tofu, but drain it well before using. The mouthfeel of the tofu cheese sauce won’t be quite as smooth as with silken tofu. I would also omit the water at first, and add it as needed.

How Do I Measure the Tofu?

Mori-nu silken tofu comes in 11 ounce packages. Eight ounces is 3/4 of the package, so you can divide it into quarters and use three of the chunks. If you have a 12-ounce package use 2/3 of the tofu. If your package is more oddly sized, don’t worry, the recipe is forgiving to a little margin of error. You can always add a little more tofu to mellow the flavor and to thicken the sauce.

Can I Use Bottled Lemon Juice?

Bottled lemon juice is often more concentrated than fresh, and frequently has natural flavor added. This can make the lemon flavor a bit more pronounced. If using bottled, you might need to reduce the amount.

Can I Omit the Nutritional Yeast?

In this tofu cheese sauce, the nutritional yeast is integral in tying the ingredients together and providing cheesy umami. I don’t recommend omitting it. You can find nutritional yeast at natural food stores, or online. It’s very lightweight, so be aware that a one-pound package is actually pretty big.

What is Tahini?

It’s sesame seed paste. Basically, tahini is to sesame seeds what peanut butter is to peanuts. Some stores sell it with the peanut butter, but some sell it in the international section. I usually buy it online. I always get whole seed tahini, which is high in calcium. I’ve bought Mighty Sesame, Roots, and Pepperwood Organics – they’re all great.

Should I Use Regular or Low-Sodium Soy Sauce?

The original recipe uses regular. If you are worried about the salt level, you can use low-sodium and add more salt to taste if it is needed.

Can I Use Fresh Basil?

I personally consider the basil optional. But you can use fresh basil. I would use 1 tablespoon. It will lend a slight green hue to the color.

Is the Turmeric Required?

It’s mostly used for color, but it does affect the flavor a touch.

Can I Substitute Garlic Powder for the Fresh Garlic?

Yes, I typically use garlic powder in no cook recipes like this tofu cheese sauce. Use 1/8 teaspoon to 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, to taste, in place of the garlic clove.

How Should I Use this Tofu Cheese Sauce?

It’s a bold vegan cheese sauce recipe, so it’s a great way to add flavor to pasta, pizza, enchiladas, casseroles, or even nachos. I also think it’s great on broccoli, cauliflower, or other veggies. Because it has a strong flavor, some people love it as a dip with tortilla chips, but some people find it a little too flavorful. If the latter, use it in recipes.

Special Diet Notes: Tofu Cheese Sauce

By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, optionally gluten-free, nut-free, peanut-free, coconut-free, added sugar-free, oil-free, vegan, plant-based, and vegetarian.

John Robbins

Dairy-Free Tofu Cheese Sauce

5 from 1 vote

This no-cook sauce has a rich, bold flavor but a relatively light nutrition profile. Each serving is well-balanced with just the right amount of fat, a good dose of protein, and low carbohydrates. It's delicious at room temperature, heated, or used in recipes, like pizza or enchiladas.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Servings: 2 cups

Course: Sauce

Cuisine: American

Calories: 101

Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

• 8 ounces firm or extra-firm silken tofu
• ⅓ cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice
• ⅓ cup nutritional yeast flakes
• ⅓ cup tahini
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce or gluten-free tamari
• 3 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ¼ teaspoon turmeric
• 1 garlic clove minced
• ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper paprika, or smoked paprika, to taste

Method

 

1. Put the tofu, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, tahini, soy sauce or tamari, water, basil, turmeric, garlic, and pepper or paprika in your blender. Puree until smooth.
2. Taste and adjust seasonings, if needed.
3. Use the sauce in a recipe, serve it at room temperature, or lightly heat it in a saucepan over medium heat for a few minutes, if preferred.
4. The sauce will keep for up to 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/4 cupCalories: 101kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 6.7gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 0.8gSodium: 355mgFiber: 2.2gSugar: 0.8g

Notes

Calcium Note: If you use whole seed tahini, this tofu cheese sauce will have about 100mg of non-dairy calcium per serving.

This recipe is adapted from the cookbook May All Be Fed by John Robbins.

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