An incredibly, creamy Vegan Low-fat Nut-free Garlic Sauce that is so healthy, yet so satisfying. By using hearty potatoes as the base, it keeps the meal filling, yet light at the same time. Thanks to it’s nut-free, low-fat base, you won’t be left with a lethargic heavy feeling. The sauce is incredibly versatile and tastes great on just about anything!
I hadn’t intended to post this recipe until later this week. However, after the overwhelming response and excitement from my teaser photo on both Instagram and Facebook, I bumped it up a few days. Do you love me or what? Your excitement for lower-fat recipes was definitely noted. Would you believe this sauce is only 1.125 g fat per serving?!
I have typically used cashews for creaminess. They are magical in a vegan diet. They create creaminess and richness and mimic what dairy/butter/oil normally do in a traditional recipe. I love cashews and by far, one of my most popular and stellar-reviewed recipes is my Garlic Alfredo Sauce. It has won over virtually every dairy-lover and even fooled them. Those little cashews are magical when combined into the right recipe.
However, what about all of you who can’t have nuts or cashews and have begged me for more nut-free recipes?? Cashews are high in fat and many of us are trying to avoid excess fat and calories. While I consider my recipes to be on the healthier side compared to many out there and full of whole food ingredients, I still would like to provide more lower fat options and more variety for everybody. When I put my hubby on a high veggie and potato (healthy carbs) and low fat diet, he lost nearly 40 lbs! I still love nuts and will still use them, but I am trying to do what is best for my family and too much fat and calories isn’t good for anybody….or our hearts. I admit I’ve been eating more nuts than I probably should lately. We definitely need fats in our diets, but it can quickly add up and become excessive. So, the more options the better, right?
I have the solution.
I’m here to save the day! This recipe is creamy, full of flavor and super duper low in fat, but so satisfying!!
The magical ingredient is yet again, potatoes. I’m telling you, potatoes are my best friend. They are filling, moist and creamy and so good for us. They are also a good source of potassium, vitamin C and basically fat-free.
This sauce tastes good on just about anything….
I served it one night over pasta shells….good, but I would definitely do noodles/linguine next time. I wasn’t a fan of the shells.
Drowning my roasted potatoes with the sauce was by far the most incredible thing I’ve had lately. I much preferred it over the pasta. The combo of red and sweet potatoes was just so dang good. Honestly, I must confess to eating it like a soup also, it is amazing on it’s own.
If you make this, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you! It means so much to hear from you guys, and I love to keep track of the feedback on my recipes, so I’d love it if you come back here and leave me your successful feedback. Dying to know what you think of this one! You can also tag me on Instagram @thevegan8 and hashtag #thevegan8, so I don’t miss it!
Low-fat Nut-free Creamy Garlic Sauce
Ingredients
- 4 small whole red potatoes (you'll need 1 cup mashed after cooking)
- 1/2 of a large white onion, finely chopped (140g)
- 1 cup (240g) lite canned coconut milk or another creamy rich one like full-fat oat milk
- 1 cup water
- 2 heaping tablespoons finely minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 loosely filled cup fresh flat leaf parsley
- 1/4 cup (32g) nutritional yeast
- 1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, to taste
- I use this scale.
NOTE
- This makes a lot, which you will be thankful for! You can serve this over linguine (recommended type of pasta), over roasted potatoes (which was simply amazing!) or honestly, it tastes incredible on it's own, like a soup.
Instructions
- Wash your potatoes (do not peel them!) and you can either roast them whole on a pan at 415 degrees for 40-45 mins until tender or for a much quicker version, microwave them for around 6 minutes until tender. Cook them whichever way you like, just make sure to leave the skin on so it keeps them moist. After you have cooked them, remove the skins and mash and then measure out 1 cup. Add to a food processor. Note: If you want to serve them over roasted potatoes, then you will need another pan lined with parchment paper. Add 4 more red potatoes and 1 large sweet potato, cut into 1/2 inch chunks, and add to the pan and roast at 415 degrees for about 30 minutes until fork tender and golden brown.
- While your potatoes are cooking, prepare the sauce. Add the milk, water, onion, garlic, salt and pepper to a sauce pan and stir well. Bring to a boil and once boiling, cover and turn to simmer for 10 minutes exactly. Note: If serving over pasta, prepare your pasta while the sauce is cooking and don't forget to salt your boiling water, so the pasta doesn't come out flavorless.
- Add your sauce to the food processor (with the cooked potatoes) along with the parsley (I just tore off a good handful, removed the stems and measured), nutritional yeast and lemon juice. Start out with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and add more if desired. Blend until very smooth, about a minute. Taste and add any more salt or lemon juice if needed. Serve either as a soup, over pasta (with lots of veggies) or over roasted potatoes. All 3 were fabulous, but the roasted potatoes were by far my favorite and I didn't have to cook a bunch of extra veggies.
Notes
- OPTION: If you choose the extra roasted 4 red potatoes and 1 large sweet potato option: That would be enough to serve at least 2, so add this to the nutrition amount: 327 calories, 0 g fat, 8 g protein, 72.5 carbs, 10 g sugar
- NUTRITIONAL YEAST: While it's not recommended to eliminate the nutritional yeast since it provides such flavor, if you cannot have yeast, then you will definitely need to increase the salt amount and perhaps add some extra onion powder, along with some tahini or miso or any other flavorings you like.
Nutrition
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I love this sauce! I sautéed mushrooms, seamed some broccoli & cauliflower, then poured the sauce over the mushrooms, broccoli & cauliflower, into a casserole dish – delicious!
I’ve also served mushrooms arancini balls onto a bad of this delicious sauce!
It’s so tasty, my favourite vegan sauce yet!
Aww so very happy to hear that Sharlene!
Do potato sauces hold up well over time? Wondering if I could make the sauce on a Monday and keep using it for the rest of the week.
Hi Ryan, they are good for a couple of days, but not sure about a week. I’ve gone through my sauces all usually within 3 days. Potatoes tend to taste different when reheated and get very thick in the fridge. It’s been quite awhile since I’ve made this sauce personally, so I don’t recall how it reheats.
It absolutely the best ever. I have just started eating vegan and this recipe is by far the best of sauces I have made, everything else has been junk and loaded with too much mustard, i.e., too much sodium, and this hits everything
beautifully.
I am looking forward to making more from this website and order the book for sure.
Yay Vicki, so thrilled to hear how much you loved this sauce!
I had a half can of cannelloni beans I wanted to use up, so added that to the taters, and had no nootch yeast so used miso…success! Thanks!
Wonderful, so glad to hear!
You could totally use this to make a Pizza Bianca!!! mmmmmmmm
That’s a great idea! Totally need to try that!
Delicious and I’ll definitely be making this again, but my first try turned out VERY heavy on the parsley. Probably my own fault.
Wonderful Brittan! I’m so glad you loved it! Yes, it shouldn’t have an overwhelming parsley taste at all, just maybe next time, grab a smaller handful. You can always add more later if you like after tasting. Thanks for the feedback!
Wonderful Brittan! I’m so glad you loved it! Yes, it shouldn’t have an overwhelming parsley taste at all, just maybe next time, grab a smaller handful. You can always add more later if you like after tasting. Thanks for the feedback!
this sounds very yummy ! I was told that canned coconut milk is very bad and I shouldn’t be using it anymore. Do you have any alternative as I can’t think of another creamy nut milk … except for soya cuisine maybe
Hmmm… I wouldn’t say coconut milk is “very bad”, but you certainly can sub with soy milk if you like, I just personally don’t use soy milk myself because I don’t like soy or the ingredients or additives. If you don’t like coconut milk, then I would try cashew milk or oat milk or something, but I haven’t tried anything other than coconut milk personally.
Love this sauce. I am always looking for a news and interesting sauce for side dishes and pastas and if it contains garlic how can you go wrong?
I love this idea! Might work with sweet potato too I think… I just bought a bagful of sweet potato this weekend.
Not sure how sweet potato will taste with lots of parsley and garlic, but it’s worth a shot! It will definitely be a different flavor profile. I actually have another sauce I’m working on using sweet potato so stay tuned!
I love the idea of using potato as the base of this sauce. It does look super creamy and delicious.. great recipe and definitely a sauce I need to create!
Thanks Thalia!
Potatoes upon potatoes…my kinda girl!! 🙂 This sounds fantastic!!!
I know right?!?! What’s the big deal…you can’t really overdose on a vegetable that is so good for us, so high in vitamins and is fat-free!!! My hubby lost 40 lbs eating lots of potatoes and veggies. Bring on the potatoes lol!
Just made this…tastes very delicious….of course you know me tho, i added half of a jalapeño….love the kick it gives the sauce….thanks for the recipe…can’t wait for dinner tonight….
Thank you so much for the feedback Elilta! So glad you love it! Jalapeño sounds yummy!
This sauce, crackers, cheese and a movie – gourmet movie night 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Ooooh that sounds awesome Uru!!
I cannot wait to try this sauce – it sounds so creamy and good!! I love that is meets all the allergy requirements and that is low fat! I love having lots of healthy fats in my diet but also love having a low fat option for dinner when I have already snacked on nuts, eaten lots of nut butter and had avocado with my lunch! Cannot wait to try this recipe! Oh and my kitchen is getting very”Vegan 8″ today. I made your oats this morning *love* and I am about to make your Vegan Noodle Soup now – there’s a cold going around our home and it seems like the perfect comforting remedy! 🙂 Pinned!
Thank you so much Ceara! It’s truly creamy and delicious! And yes, I I’ve nuts too, but they quickly add up and the calories and fat aren’t good in excess, regardless if it’s “healthy” fats or not. I’m watching my nut intake lately because I was going overboard, haha!
OH.MY.GOSH.!! You’ve outdone yourself with this one, what an amazing creation. It LOOKS so creamy, but so low in fat!? AMAZING.
Awww thanks so much Brittany!!
Made this tonight and it was amazing!! I had it over baked potatoes, but I can definitely see having this with pasta or as a soup. Anther great recipe!!
Wonderful Vince!! Thank you so much for the feedback and for sharing your photo on IG! Yes, it’s definitely versatile and super yummy any version 🙂
I think I could eat it as soup, it sounds so good!!
Potatoes over potatoes?! Different but I’m sure delicious!
I’m actually only just rediscovering white potatoes. For years I was convinced I didn’t like them but I was very wrong!
Yes! We love potatoes! They are incredibly alkalizing and healing for us and they are low cal and fat-free, so it’s something we can eat a lot of, unlike nuts! I love potatoes because they are so filling without excessive calories. The sauce doesn’t taste like potatoes, it just tastes like a creamy sauce, so you don’t feel like you are eating “potatoes over potatoes” haha! I actually only eat red, gold or sweet potatoes. I’m not a fan of the white russet style potatoes…they are much drier and flakier, so I definitely don’t use them in my recipes.
Besides, you can certainly do it over pasta or just other veggies or even eat it as a soup which I mention in the recipe 🙂 It’s straight up delicious no matter what way you eat it.
Oh my I can eat this as a soup with garlicky bread! 🙂 🙂
OMG…in garlic bread sounds so dang good! Omg…totally trying that!! Thanks girl!
Genius idea using potatoes instead of nuts…occasionally I get slight skin reaction to eating too much nuts and nut cheeze (lol) and I’m all over potatoes! Do you prefer red or gold potatoes? I love that idea and still have a huge bag of fresh parsley sitting in the fridge now…I need to get some potatoes and start making this! Honestly this is one of the comfort dishes I need right now! Well done, Brandi and gorgeous pictures!
Thank you so much Rika!! I love both red and gold…I think either would work perfectly. In fact, I would probably even say that gold potatoes would be even better since they have a “buttery” taste, but I had red potatoe already that needed to be used up, but I plan on trying the yukon gold potatoes next time! It is so fast to whip up too!
Oh and I hear you on the nuts….peanuts seem to bother my skin sometimes, so I don’t eat them too often. Nuts definitely help with moisture to my skin and hair…but I definitely eat more than I should!! My stomach is evidence of that lately, haha….those calories sure do add up quick.