Indulge in the convenience of whipping up a comforting, cheesy delight that doesn't compromise on taste or nutrition. Shout out to Sarah Gaugler who inspired this recipe! Dive into a world of easy-to-make, plant-based goodness and savor every bite of this delightful Vegan Cheesy Broccoli with Cashew Cheese.
Can be made as a comforting side dish or a nourishing standalone meal, this recipe boasts a delightful creaminess that envelops each tender floret, offering a comforting experience at the dinner table. Perfectly balanced, this dish promises a creamy texture and rich, cheesy taste, making it an ideal accompaniment for the whole family or a great way to elevate meal prep for the week. Learn to make this vegan cheese sauce that can also be used in, vegan broccoli cheese soup, healthy broccoli casserole that will definitely satisfy your comfort food cravings.
Why You'll Love This
- Nutritional Yeast & Cheesy Flavor: Elevate your taste buds with the delightful cheesy flavor brought by nutritional yeast. This dairy-free alternative adds a savory, cheese-like essence to the cashew cheese sauce, offering a satisfyingly cheesy taste without compromising dietary choices.
- Creamy Texture & Cashew Cheese: Experience the luxurious creaminess of cashew cheese, a game-changer in vegan cooking. Its rich, velvety texture, derived from cashews and nutritional yeast, transforms this dish into a comforting yet dairy-free delight.
- Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: Revel in the simplicity of using easily accessible, whole food ingredients. With a combination of garlic powder, onion, and nutritional yeast, this recipe creates a flavorful experience without the need for complex or extravagant elements.
- Healthier Twist & Comforting Dish: Relish a healthier take on a classic favorite. By incorporating broccoli, a powerhouse of nutrients, and steering clear of dairy, this dish caters to health-conscious individuals while offering the comforting satisfaction of a traditional cheesy broccoli dish.
- Adaptability & Meal Prep: Embrace its versatility as a side dish or a fulfilling main course. Perfect for meal prep, this recipe caters to various dietary preferences and occasions, allowing you to enjoy its savory goodness throughout the week.
Ingredients
- Cashews: Cashews are creamy and buttery nuts known for their rich taste and versatility. They offer a delightful texture and are often used in vegan cooking to create creamy sauces, dairy-free cheeses, and decadent desserts.
- Nutritional Yeast: Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast known for its cheesy and nutty flavor profile. It's a popular ingredient in vegan and vegetarian dishes, adding a savory taste and often used as a cheese substitute or to enhance the umami taste in various recipes.
- Pink Himalayan Salt: Harvested from ancient sea salt deposits, pink Himalayan salt is valued for its distinctive pink hue and mineral-rich composition. It's praised for its potential health benefits and is used to season dishes, offering a milder and more nuanced flavor compared to regular table salt.
- Garlic Powder: Garlic powder is a convenient and versatile spice made from dehydrated garlic cloves. It adds a robust and savory garlic flavor to dishes without the need for fresh garlic, commonly used to season various recipes, including soups, sauces, and roasted vegetables.
- Broccoli: Broccoli is a nutrient-dense cruciferous vegetable known for its vibrant green color and high nutritional value. It's rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and can be enjoyed steamed, roasted, stir-fried, or added to salads and casseroles.
- Onion: Onions are versatile and aromatic vegetables with layers of flavor. They come in various types and are used in cooking to add depth and sweetness to dishes. Onions can be caramelized, sautéed, or used raw to enhance the taste of soups, stews, sauces, and more.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil is a popular and heart-healthy oil extracted from olives. It's prized for its distinct flavor and used in cooking, salad dressings, and marinades. Extra virgin olive oil, in particular, is known for its rich taste and is often used for drizzling over dishes for added flavor.
Steps
Cashew Cheese Sauce:
- Soak Cashews: Begin by soaking 2 cups of raw cashews in water for 2-4 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse thoroughly before using.
- Prepare Cheese Sauce Base: In a high-speed blender or food processor, combine the soaked cashews, 1 cup of nutritional yeast, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, salt to taste, and 1 ½ cups of vegetable broth.
- Blend Until Smooth: Blend the mixture on high speed until it forms a smooth, creamy consistency. Adjust the seasoning if needed and set the cashew cheese sauce aside.
Sautéed Broccoli and Onions:
- Prepare Broccoli: Wash and cut 4 cups of fresh broccoli florets. Heat a large pan over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Sauté Onions: Sauté 1 finely chopped onion in the heated oil until translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Broccoli: Add the prepared broccoli florets to the pan. Sauté for another 4-5 minutes until the broccoli turns bright green and slightly tender. Season with a pinch of salt and black pepper.
Combine Cashew Cheese with Broccoli:
- Pour Cheese Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Pour the prepared cashew cheese sauce over the sautéed broccoli and onions in the pan.
- Stir and Coat: Gently stir the broccoli and onions in the cashew cheese sauce until they are evenly coated. Allow the mixture to simmer for an additional 1-2 minutes, ensuring the flavors meld together.
Serve:
- Serve Warm: Once the broccoli is coated with the cashew cheese sauce and heated through, remove the pan from heat.
- Plate and Enjoy: Serve the Vegan Cheesy Broccoli with Cashew Cheese immediately as a delightful side dish or a comforting main course. Garnish with additional nutritional yeast or black pepper if desired.
Variations:
1. Nut-Free Option:
For those with nut allergies, replace cashews with blanched sunflower seeds or a combination of white beans and sunflower seeds for the creamy sauce. Adjust seasoning and consistency as needed.
2. Gluten-Free Alternative:
Substitute brown rice for cooked quinoa or cauliflower rice for a gluten-free twist. You can also use Udon noodles, white rice or a side of salad. These add a different texture while maintaining the heartiness of the dish.
3. Creamy Cauliflower Sauce:
Experiment with a creamy cauliflower sauce instead of cashew cheese. Blend steamed cauliflower with nutritional yeast, vegetable broth, and a splash of lemon juice for a lighter yet flavorful alternative. You may also use macadamia nuts or any nut or seed you may have on hand.
4. Veggie Variation:
Introduce diced red bell peppers, peas, or shredded carrots for added color and nutrients. Sauté them with broccoli and onions to create a colorful medley.
5. Spicy Kick:
Enhance the dish with a dash of hot sauce or sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes to add a spicy element to the cheesy broccoli.
Substitutions:
- Instead of broccoli florets, use cauliflower florets for a different taste and texture.
- Swap olive oil for avocado oil for a different flavor profile in the sautéed broccoli.
- Replace lemon juice with apple cider vinegar for a tangy twist in the cashew cheese sauce.
- Substitute vegetable broth with homemade or store-bought vegan chicken-style broth for added depth of flavor.
FAQ:
Q: Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh broccoli florets? A: Absolutely! Thaw and drain the frozen broccoli before sautéing. Adjust cooking time accordingly.
Q: How can I adjust the consistency of the cashew cheese sauce? A: Add a tiny bit of additional water or vegetable broth for a thinner sauce or blend longer for a thicker, creamier consistency.
Q: Can I make this dish ahead for meal prep? A: Certainly! Store the sautéed broccoli separately from the cashew cheese sauce. Combine them when ready to serve to maintain optimal texture.
Q: Are there any alternatives for nutritional yeast? A: While there's no exact substitute for its flavor, you can enhance the cheesy taste using a small amount of miso paste or vegan parmesan cheese.
Q: Can I freeze this dish? A: Freezing may alter the texture of the cashew cheese sauce. Consider freezing the sautéed broccoli separately and prepare the sauce fresh when ready to consume for best results.
Fun Vegan Cheesy Broccoli
Ingredients
- Cashew Cheese Sauce:
- 1 cup raw cashews soaked and drained
- 2 tablespoon cup nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt to taste
- 1 ½ cups vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- Sautéed Broccoli and Onions:
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cashew Cheese Sauce:
- Soak Cashews: Place the raw cashews in a bowl and cover them with water. Let them soak for 2-4 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse thoroughly before use.
- Prepare Cheese Sauce Base: In a high-speed blender or food processor, combine the soaked cashews, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and vegetable broth.
- Blend Until Smooth: Blend the ingredients until they form a smooth and creamy consistency, adjusting the seasoning as desired. Set the cashew cheese sauce aside.
- Sautéed Broccoli and Onions:
- Prepare Broccoli: Wash the broccoli florets and chop them into bite-sized pieces. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
- Sauté Onions: Add the finely chopped onion to the heated oil and sauté for 2-3 minutes until they turn translucent.
- Sauté Broccoli: Incorporate the broccoli florets into the pan. Sauté for an additional 4-5 minutes until the broccoli turns bright green and slightly tender. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Combine Cashew Cheese with Broccoli:
- Pour Cheese Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Pour the prepared cashew cheese sauce over the sautéed broccoli and onions in the pan.
- Stir and Coat: Gently stir the broccoli and onions in the cashew cheese sauce, ensuring they are evenly coated. Allow the mixture to simmer for 1-2 minutes, letting the flavors meld together.
- Serve:
- Plate and Enjoy: Remove the pan from heat once the broccoli is coated with the cashew cheese sauce and heated through. Serve the Vegan Cheesy Broccoli with Cashew Cheese immediately as a delightful side dish or a satisfying main course.
- Notes:
- Garnish with additional nutritional yeast or black pepper if desired.
- Adjust the consistency of the cashew cheese sauce by adding a tiny bit of additional vegetable broth if needed.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
- This recipe combines the creamy cashew cheese sauce with sautéed broccoli and onions to create a flavorful and comforting vegan dish that's both nutritious and delicious. Adjust seasoning and ingredient quantities according to personal preferences for a perfect plant-based meal!
