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Butternut Squash "Cheese" Sauce in ramekin next to spilled nutritional yeast and a linen napkin.

Butternut Squash "Cheese" Sauce {Paleo, Whole30}

Katie AdamsKatie Adams
This creamy "cheese" sauce is a great dairy-free and vegan replacement for traditional yellow cheeses in soups and casseroles.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Cooling and Blending Time 15 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Course, Side Dish, Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 1 batch
Calories 447 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Blender
  • 1 Large baking sheet
  • Aluminum foil

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 tablespoon light olive oil or melted coconut oil
  • 1 16oz pkg pre-cut butternut squash or ½ medium or large butternut squash peeled and diced*
  • 2 pinches salt plus more for baking
  • 1 dash black pepper
  • ¼ cup nutritional yeast**
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard Paleo/Whole30 compliant brand if desired
  • ½ cup chicken broth sub vegetable broth for vegetarian or vegan option

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cover a large baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy clean up if desired.
  • Place squash cubes on baking sheet. Drizzle with oil, sprinkle with 2 pinches of salt, and a dash of black pepper. Use spatula and stir to combine on baking sheet. Make sure squash is separated into a single layer.
  • Bake for 15-30 minutes (depending on how large the squash cubes are) tossing once halfway through. Bake until very tender. If you want a smokier flavored cheese sauce, bake longer for more browning.
    Cooked
  • Allow to cool on baking sheet about 10-15 minutes.
  • Add squash to blender along with nutritional yeast, Dijon mustard, broth, and 2 pinches of salt. Blend until completely smooth about 15-20 seconds. Use in your favorite soups or casseroles!
    Blended butternut squash "cheese" sauce.

Notes

*I like to use pre-cut butternut squash from the fresh produce section of my local grocery store. You can also peel and cube half a butternut squash yourself. It will add more prep time so plan accordingly! Frozen butternut squash can also be used. See Cooking Tips above for more information. 
**Nutritional yeast can typically be found in the health food or baking section of your local grocery store. You can also order it online. 

Nutrition

Calories: 447kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 11gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 1395mgPotassium: 1862mgFiber: 12gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 48230IUVitamin C: 95mgCalcium: 233mgIron: 4mg
Keyword dairy-free, fall recipes, healthy, nut-free, winter recipes
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