Dairy Free White Sauce (Vegan)
Embrace the ease of making a Dairy Free White Sauce Recipe! A versatile and creamy vegan white sauce perfect for enhancing dishes like lasagna, casseroles, and pasta.
This basic vegan white sauce recipe is easy to prepare and made with extra virgin olive oil, plant-based milk, flour and seasonings!
Dairy Free White Sauce
Making dairy free white sauce is quick easy. Its smooth, velvety texture is just like traditional white sauce and it’s perfect for adding dairy-free creamy layers to lasagna, vegetable casseroles, and pasta dishes.
Also known as béchamel, white sauce’s beauty lies in its straightforward preparation and remarkable versatility.
Making vegan white sauce without dairy is easy. Did you know you can use olive oil instead of butter? How amazing is that?! Then simply use plant-based milk like almond or soy and dairy free shredded cheese.
Whether you’re assembling a classic dairy free white sauce lasagna, enhancing a broccoli pasta dish, or infusing a vegetable casserole with creaminess.
Will the white sauce taste different from traditional white sauce?
There is a slight difference in taste as you’re using extra virgin olive oil instead of butter and plant-based milk and cheese. However, the overall flavor profile is quite similar to traditional white sauce. Honestly, you cannot tell once it’s added to lasagna, casserole and pasta.
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
A full and detailed recipe card with all the ingredients is at the bottom of this post.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Using extra virgin olive oil produces the best flavor. It’s good quality and subtle enough to not overpower the white sauce.
- All-Purpose Flour: Also known as plain flour in Australia. Can be substituted with gluten-free all-purpose flour.
- Dairy-Free Milk: I use almond milk as it offers subtle flavor and has a nice texture. You can also use soy milk or your favorite plant-based milk of choice.
- Dairy-Free Cheese: Use frozen or fresh, grated/shredded or from a block of cheese. You can find popular cheeses made dairy-free readily now. I recommend a pizza blend comprising mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan. Alternatively, an Italian cheese blend or individual dairy-free cheeses are suitable options.
How to Make Dairy Free White Sauce (with photos)
A full and detailed recipe card is at the bottom of this post.
Heat Oil: Place a large skillet over medium heat on the stovetop. Pour in the olive oil and warm over medium heat for 30 seconds to 1 minute until it’s heated through and warm/hot to the touch, don’t let it bubble.
Whisk in Flour & Milk: Turn the heat to medium-high, sprinkle in the flour and whisk through for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the milk and continue cooking over medium heat, whisking gently until the sauce thickens, without boiling or simmering.
Season & Add Cheese: Once the sauce has thickened, whisk through the nutmeg and salt and pepper to taste. Whisk through 2 cups of the cheese until combined and melted. Turn off the heat.
Serve: Pour this dairy free white sauce over cooked vegetables or to make dishes like casseroles, lasagnas and pasta.
Expert Tips
- Low Heat: Cook the sauce on low to medium heat to prevent burning.
- Consistent Stirring: Keep stirring continuously to ensure a smooth sauce without lumps.
- Thick White Sauce: If it’s too thin and watery, cook it further over medium heat until thick and smooth.
- Thickness Adjustments: Control the thickness by varying the amount of milk. For a thinner sauce, add more milk.
Can I use this sauce in all recipes that call for regular white sauce?
Absolutely! This dairy free white sauce can be used in any recipe that calls for white sauce, such as lasagna, casseroles, or pasta dishes.
How can I add more flavor to my dairy-free white sauce?
Enhance the flavor with seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, nutritional yeast, or chopped fresh herbs.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep the sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. To prevent skin from forming while it cools and stores, place plastic wrap directly on the sauce’s surface.
Reheat: Warm it slowly on the stove, stirring constantly. Add a bit of dairy free milk if the sauce has thickened too much.
Freezing: Freeze in airtight containers or ice cube trays for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
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Dairy Free White Sauce (Vegan)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 9 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 4 cups almond milk, or soy milk
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups dairy-free shredded cheese, cheddar, tasty, Italian or pizza blend
Instructions
- Heat Oil: Place a large skillet over medium heat on the stovetop. Pour in the olive oil and warm over medium heat for 30 seconds to 1 minute until it’s heated through and warm/hot to the touch, don’t let it bubble.
- Whisk in Flour: Turn the heat to medium-high, sprinkle in the flour and whisk through for 1 minute.
- Add Milk: Gradually whisk in milk, cooking over medium heat, whisking gently until sauce thickens, without boiling or simmering.
- Season: Once sauce has thickened, whisk through the nutmeg and salt and pepper to taste.
- Add Cheese: Whisk through the shredded cheese until combined and melted. Turn off the heat.
- Serve: Pour this dairy free white sauce over cooked vegetables or to make dishes like casseroles, lasagnas and pastas.
Notes
- Store: Keep the sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. To prevent skin from forming while it cools and stores, place plastic wrap directly on the sauce’s surface.
- Reheat: Warm it slowly on the stove, stirring constantly. Add a bit of dairy free milk if the sauce has thickened too much.
- Freezing: Freeze in airtight containers or ice cube trays for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.