The Best Spicy Vegan Cheese Sauce

A delicious and super addicting spicy vegan cheese sauce that’s perfect for mac and cheese, dips, baked potatoes and more! 

Ever since I found out that I was intolerant to dairy, my world crumbled before my eyes (pun intended)! So, you are trying to tell me that I cannot have mac and cheese, cheese on my pizza or queso from Mexican restaurants!? Are you trying to kill me!?

Since then, I have been scouring the web for the best dairy-free alternatives! To be honest, it’s hard finding alternatives that are not overly processed or inexpensive. But even though grocery stores are getting better at providing alternatives, it’s nice to know I can make something quick at home with staple ingredients that are always on hand. And I can do it on the cheap!

This is where I bring you to my most favorite recipe of them all, spicy vegan cheese sauce! When I was making a batch to take photos, I literally ate half the macaroni and cheese and the entire dip with chips within two hours; it is that addicting!

What makes this my favorite is that it’s crazy how easy and fast it is to make it! You see all these vegan cheese recipes with a million ingredients and the direction list are fifteen steps long and you're sitting there like, “Who has time for that?”

That’s why this recipe is easy. Simply boil the potato and carrots until mushy, transfer them to a blender along with the rest of the ingredients and blend until smooth. Boom, that’s it! Double boom because the sauce is already hot so no need to transfer it to a skillet or oven to heat up.

Even if you are not vegan or dairy free, this recipe is great to serve to your kids or that picky eater that struggles with incorporating veggies into their diet. Even better, you can get away with hiding them in popular dishes like mac and cheese, baked potato and chips and dip!

You could also use this recipe on a few From the Roots classics like kale and pesto cauliflower rice,  Verde carne asada tostadas, turkey meatballs, and sweet potato hash breakfast skillet.

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo to #fromtherootsblog on Instagram. We love seeing what you come up with!

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A delicious and super addicting spicy vegan cheese sauce that’s perfect for mac and cheese, dips, baked potatoes and more! 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 large russet potato (skin off)

• 2 large carrots

• 1 can (10 oz) low-sodium rotel (spicy)

• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast

• 1 Tbsp juice of fresh lemon

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/4 tsp pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Cut potatoes and carrots into cubes and add to boiling water. Boil until vegetables are mushy.

2. Drain vegetables from water and transfer to a high powered blender. Add the rest of the ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth and creamy.

3. May add additional salt if bland or more nutritional yeast for desired “cheesy flavor.”

4. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to a week.

NOTES

1. If you are making this into a dip, garnish with smoked paprika, diced green chilies or jalapenos!

2. For a more spicy taste, simply add hot sauce or green chilies for that desired taste.

3. Warning: if you use a regular can of Rotel, this sauce will taste "tomato-y" and not like a cheese dip flavor.

Carrot Cake Pancakes with Cinnamon Cashew Cream Cheese

A healthy take on the classic carrot cake, made into pancakes that are sure to please everyone! I pair it with an irresistible cinnamon cashew cream cheese that you can’t help but lick right out of the bowl! Best of all, these pancakes are oil-free, gluten-free, and entirely vegan.

Carrot cake has got to be in my top 5 favorite cakes.

From the spices of cinnamon and nutmeg to the textures of walnuts and carrots, there is nothing that will stand in the way of me and carrot cake.

Nothing.

That is why I have decided to try and incorporate carrot cake into my life in an innovative and healthy way. Now that I’m getting older, I am more aware of how many sticks of butter it takes to achieve the perfect taste of carrot cake. After experimenting, I have found a way to not only indulge my desires completely guilt-free but to also do it for breakfast.

You’ll need a few key ingredients for that classic carrot cake taste, such as carrots, of course! I prefer starting with fresh carrots so I can medium grate them to get more of a crunchy texture, but if you prefer to have a well-blended batter then you can finely grate your carrots or put them in a processor. Be sure to pat your grated carrots with paper towels or a kitchen towel to absorb excess liquid so it doesn’t make your batter too liquidy.

Another key ingredient is the spices. Now, you can go about this either two ways: You can mix a ratio of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, or you can simply use a pumpkin pie spice mix. Both seem equal in flavor, I just had leftover pumpkin pie spice from the fall days and I basically use it in all my pancake batters!

Prepping for the pancake batter is a breeze. Just add your dry ingredients to your wet ingredients and then use a spatula to fold in the walnuts and grated carrots. It is important that you let your batter rest for at least 10 minutes so that the starch molecules in the flour can absorb the liquid in the batter. This causes them to swell and gives the batter a thicker, more viscous consistency. This allows time for the air bubbles to slowly work their way out.

Now, onto my favorite part… The cinnamon cashew cream cheese! It really takes the cake in this recipe (no pun intended)! The cashew cream cheese tastes almost like confectioners sugar to me. It has the perfect amount of sweetness thanks to the pure maple syrup. It’s so addicting that I will literally make an extra batch of this and sneak it in the fridge to take a spoonful (or three) out of the jar when I need to satisfy my sweet tooth!

*Updated - You can make this recipe into waffles! (notes below)

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo with #fromtherootsblog on Instagram. We love seeing what you come up with!

Vegan, gluten free and oil free take on a classic carrot cake pancake that is sure to please everyone! Paired with an irresistible cinnamon cashew cream cheese that you can’t help but lick right out of the bowl!  

INGREDIENTS

Carrot Cake Pancakes

• 1/2 cup chopped raw walnuts

• 1 cup (loosely packed) shredded carrots ((2 medium carrots))

• 1 cup non dairy milk ((I used unsweetened almond milk))

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice mix or (2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ginger and 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg)

• 1/4 cup applesauce unsweetened

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1/2 cup almond flour (not almond meal)

• 1 cup GF baking flour

• 1 Tbsp sweetener of choice (I used pure maple syrup)

• Dash of salt

Cinnamon Cashew Cream Cheese

• 3/4 cup raw cashews drained (soaked overnight with warm water)

• 1 1/2 Tbsp pure maple syrup

• 1/4 cup non dairy milk (I used unsweetened almond milk)

• squeeze of small lemon wedge

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

DIRECTIONS

1. To prepare the batter, in a medium bowl, add both flours, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and a dash of salt. In a separate bowl, add applesauce, milk, vanilla, and sweetener and mix until combined. Add your dry ingredients to your liquid ingredients and mix until combined.

2. Gently fold in the walnuts and carrots and let the batter sit for at least 10 minutes.

3. Lightly coat your skillet with vegan butter or coconut oil over medium heat. When the skillet is hot, add about ¼ cup of the pancake mixture to the pan. Cook for 2-3 min or until the bottom of the pancake is brown and bubbles have formed on the outside. Flip and cook for 2-3 min or until brown and fully cooked through.

4. While pancakes are cooking, add cashews, maple syrup, milk, lemon and cinnamon to a processor and pulse on high for about 4 minutes or until mixture is smooth and creamy in texture. Add additional maple syrup for a sweeter taste.

5. Layer pancakes with cream cheese and top with walnuts and maple syrup!

• Make sure to grease your skillet in between batches as well as to keep a consistent strain of heat. If you let your skillet get too hot, then the pancakes will be crispy and brown on the outside but mushy and raw on the inside.

• Since the pancakes are vegan, an egg is not present, so let your batter rest is key to get that perfect fluffy texture.

• If you are short on time, you can actually boil the cashews! Just cover cashews with water in a small saucepan and boil over medium-high heat. As soon as the water boils, turn the oven off and let the cashews sit in the saucepan covered for 1 hour.

NOTES

1. Ingredients trusted brands: GF Baking Flour, Almond Flour, and Pumpkin Pie Spice

2. Can be easily made into waffles! If eggs are not an issue, I would recommend substituting applesauce for 1 egg and omitting almond flour.

Lemon and Coconut Energy Balls

Filled with fiber, plant-based protein, and healthy fats, these are the perfect choice when you need a little pick-me-up snack! They are great to make as a “911 snack” as it only takes 5 minutes to make and uses only 6 ingredients!

I have to be honest - life can be hard and stressful for me at times.

I juggle school, work, this food blog, and my personal life all while searching for grad schools. In everything I do, I strive to be intentional in every moment and hour in my life.For example, if I take a class and pass by the skin of my teeth then what have I gained from the experience? With every new practice, patience and persistence are tested as we don’t always get it right the first time. In the midst of the busy times, I have to continuously remind myself that this is only temporary and that I should be proud of myself for getting this far.

As easy as it sounds to be intentional, you need the energy and willpower to actually do it! That’s why I lean on to these amazing lemon and coconut energy balls. Lemon and coconut is an excellent pairing as they are both sweet and refreshing. This flavor-packed combination is great with the caramel undertones of pitted dates; the creamy texture provided by cashews and almonds is also a big plus!

Cashews, almonds, and dates are magnesium-rich foods that actually boost energy and prevent inflammation. Magnesium is key in creating energy by activating ATP; (adenosine triphosphate) which is an energy carrying molecule found in the cells of your body. Ultimately, when you have an adequate amount of magnesium in your system, your body is primed to function at its peak.

Not only are these lemon and coconut energy balls great for providing energy and preventing inflammation, they’re nutrient and calorically dense. Filled with fiber, plant-based protein, and healthy fats, these are the perfect choice when you need a little pick-me-up snack! They are great to make as a “911 snack” as it only takes 5 minutes to make and uses only 6 ingredients! I recommend making a couple of batches so that you can store half in the fridge for immediate use throughout the week and the other half in the freezer for a later time.

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo with #fromtherootsblog on Instagram. We love seeing what you come up with!

Filled with fiber, plant-based protein, and healthy fats, these are the perfect choice when you need a little pick-me-up snack! They are great to make as a “911 snack” as it only takes 5 minutes to make and uses only 6 ingredients!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup raw cashews

• 1 cup raw almonds

• 1/2 cup coconut flakes

• 1 Tbsp melted coconut oil

• 8 pitted dates

• half one lemon *plus more for preference

• Zest of one whole lemon *plus more for garnish

• Dash pink Himalayan salt

DIRECTIONS

1. Soak dates in warm filtered water for at least 10 minutes

2. After dates have properly soaked, remove dates and set date water aside.

3. Blend all ingredients in a high-speed processor until desired texture. If the consistency seems dry, add a little bit of the reserved date water.

4. Scoop out about 1 tablespoon of the mixture, and form into balls.

5. Roll into your favorite toppings! I like to use lemon zest and coconut flakes.

NOTES

1. These can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks or in the freezer for up to a month. Make large batches to store snacks ahead of time.

Kale and Pesto Cauliflower Rice

Cauliflower rice is cooked with kale and pesto for a low carb, gluten-free, easy and healthy dish! 

Cauliflower rice has become the new “it” vegetable. Not a day goes by where I don’t see a new cauliflower rice recipe being passed around by all the low-carb, veggie lovers. Even though it may seem like a trend, I am not so sure it will fade away anytime soon. I believe cauliflower rice is here to stay and I am perfectly okay with that! It has become a staple for my dinners as it lowers my carb intake. I also use cauliflower rice when I batch cook since it is so easy to prepare!

So, what’s with the hype for this smelly vegetable? Here are some quick facts about cauliflower:

• Cauliflower ranks one of the highest powerhouse vegetables according to the Centers for the Disease Control and Prevention’s Aggregate Nutrient Density Index (Ranks food based on nutrient content in relation to calorie total.)

• The entire cauliflower (florets, leaves, and stalks) are edible!

• Just one cup of cooked cauliflower can provide 73% of your daily recommended amount of vitamin C.

• Great source of fiber!

Despite knowing how healthy it is to eat cauliflower, the taste sometimes discourages me from eating it. There is just something about the taste of plain cauliflower that my taste buds do not agree with which is why I have created this recipe in such a way that adds zest and boosts the nutritional value. The wonderful thing about cauliflower is that it’s a vegetable that will take on whatever flavor you add. In this cauliflower rice recipe, I have combined it with my quick and easy 5 ingredient pesto sauce. Kale is used to amp up the veggie and fiber intake, and finally, I add lemon to complement the pesto sauce and bring out the savory taste of kale.

You can use cauliflower rice to substitute your typical heavy carb sides. Here, I have made kale and pesto cauliflower rice for dinner along with grilled chicken, roasted cherry tomatoes, and steamed broccoli.

Cauliflower rice is so easy and quick to make that I often prepare it when I batch cook on Sundays!

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo with #fromtherootsblog on Instagram. We love seeing what you come up with!

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Cauliflower rice is cooked with kale and pesto for a low carb, gluten-free, easy and healthy dish! 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cauliflower head ((or 16 oz bag frozen cauliflower rice))

• 1 large bunch fresh kale ((stem out))

• 1-3 Tbsp pesto (less or more depending on preference)

• 1 tsp coconut oil

• 1/2 lemon

DIRECTIONS

1. Begin by bringing about ¼ inch of water to a boil in a large frying pan.

2. Add ½ tsp fine sea salt and cauliflower florets* (or frozen cauliflower rice)

3. Cover and steam for about 3-8 minutes until desired tenderness

4. Drain the cauliflower rice and add back to the frying pan with 1 tsp of coconut oil on medium-high heat. Cook for about 5 minutes.

5. Add kale, pesto sauce, and S&P. Stir and cook for about 5-10 minutes until rice is crispy, kale has wilted and rice is fully coated with pesto sauce.

6. Take off heat and garnish with freshly squeezed lemon.

NOTES

*If using fresh cauliflower, cut into florets and then briefly pulse in the food processor until they are the size of grains of rice.

1. This recipe will make four servings. With that in mind, if you would like to use this in meal prep, divide up your protein, roasted cherry tomatoes with avocado oil and basil, and steamed broccoli. 

Peanut Butter & Jelly Protein Smoothie Bowl

Creamy and nutritious protein smoothie bowl with spinach, banana, berries, protein powder and a secret ingredient! A healthy breakfast or great post-workout treat that tastes just like PB&J!

HAPPY NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER LOVER’S DAY.

Did you know there existed a day just for us peanut butter lovers? I certainly didn’t. There really is a national day for everyone!

In high school, a PB&J sandwich was my go-to meal as that was the only vegetarian option back in the day during lunch. Obviously, I am not a vegetarian anymore, but thinking about peanut butter and jelly sandwiches make me nostalgic and reminisce about the good ol’ days. It’s definitely a classic staple.

When I was in undergrad, I would go to Smoothie King to get the Peanut Power Plus Strawberry smoothie when I needed to satisfy my peanut butter craving. It was quick and convenient, not to mention that it also literally tasted just like a PB&J sandwich!

Now that I am older and wiser, I have created a smoothie bowl recipe that is not only healthy but still has the same flavor PB&J flavor that I love. This peanut butter & jelly protein smoothie bowl is a recipe that I have been using for years now. Every other morning, I whip up a batch for breakfast in a tumbler so I can bring it to work. For the weekends, I like to transform this smoothie into a bowl so that I can jazz it up with superfoods like goji berries, cacao nibs, chia seeds, and coconut flakes.

Would you have guessed that zucchini is the secret ingredient for keeping this smoothie super creamy and thick? Zucchini is great for amping your smoothie with amazing vitamins and nutrients as well as being naturally lower in carbs and calories. If you drink smoothies in the morning like I do, zucchini is great for digestion and provides energizing B vitamins. B vitamins are important for cognitive health as it maintains an upbeat mood and prevent fatigue.

Regardless of how you choose to create this smoothie, whether you present it in a bowl or choose to put it in a tumbler to take with you, the ingredients are just as flexible. I usually amp this smoothie up with two heaping handfuls of spinach along with a green powder scoop if I feel that I want to incorporate more greens into my diet. Like I said, this recipe is flexible -- it’s up to you if you want to add more veggies or superfoods!

Interested in more smoothie recipes that are nutritious and delicious? Check out my recipe for (starburst smoothie). Yes, you read that right -- it tastes like pink starbursts!

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo with #fromtherootsblog on Instagram. We love seeing what you come up with!

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Creamy and nutritious protein smoothie bowl with spinach, banana, berries, protein powder and a secret ingredient! A healthy breakfast or great post-workout treat that tastes just like PB&J!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 small handful fresh organic spinach

• 1 frozen ripe banana

• 1 cup frozen berry medley (I used strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries)

• 1 cup almond milk

• 1/2 zucchini

• 1 scoop protein peanut butter/ chocolate powder

DIRECTIONS

1. Blend all ingredients in a high powered blender until creamy yet thick. If making this into a smoothie that you can take with you, add more milk or water to thin out the mixture.

2. Add your favorite toppings! I used coconut flakes, cacao nibs, banana slices, blueberries, chia seeds, coconut flakes, goji berries and warm almond butter drizzle!

NOTES

1. I use is this protein powder brand