I personally love Fall produce, especially butternut squash. Butternut squash has a delicious, sweet flavor and is rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. This Butternut Squash Cheese Sauce recipe is gluten free, nut free, and vegan. It’s made with just a few, simple ingredients and is so delicious.

You may have noticed, that I try to share seasonal recipes. Since completing my Master of Science in Nutrition Education at Columbia University, I’ve been making more of an effort to buy seasonal produce and shop at the local farmers market. Buying local, seasonal produce is beneficial for a number of reasons.

First, buying locally-grown produce tends to be better for the environment. Local produce doesn’t have to travel as far to get to you in comparison to the produce sold at the grocery store. Therefore, buying local produce can result in less pollution associated with the transportation of the produce. The shorter travel time also decreases the chances that the food will spoil in transit. Because of this, buying local produce can potentially reduce food waste.

Next, local farmers tend to practice sustainable agriculture techniques. Not only is eating local food better for the environment, but the food is also incredibly nutrient-dense. Locally-grown produce is typically picked when it’s ripe. This is also when the food has its optimal nutrition content. On the other hand, the produce that is sold at the supermarket is often picked before it’s ripe so that it ripens once it reaches the store shelves.

You can pick up local produce from your local farmers market, or search for a local produce delivery service in your area.

If you’re looking for more Fall recipes, be sure to checkout my Roasted Fall Vegetables with Cinnamon Apples and Fall Kale Salad recipes.

What You’ll Need to Make Butternut Squash Cheese Sauce:

Butternut Squash: You, of course, can’t make butternut squash cheese sauce without butternut squash!

Onion, Garlic, & Spices: Onion, garlic, and spices are used to flavor the cheese sauce

Nutritional Yeast: Nutritional yeast has a “cheesy” flavor, but is vegan.

Almond Milk: You will need unsweetened almond milk to make this recipe.

Olive Oil: Olive oil adds some healthy fats to this recipe and gives it a rich flavor.

Directions:

Roast cubed butternut squash for about 20 mins in an air fryer or 30 mins in the oven or until the butternut squash softens. Place to the side to cool.
Slice onion and sauté in a frying pan on low heat with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Sauté for a couple of minutes or until the onion begins to brown. Mince the garlic and sauté in the frying pan with the onion for about 30 seconds. Place frying pan to the side to cool.
Once cooled, add the cubed butternut squash, sautéed onion and garlic, 2 tbsp nutritional yeast, and 3/4 cup almond milk to a high speed blender (I used my vitamix). Blend until smooth.

I hope you enjoy this recipe, please leave me a comment below and let me know if you give it a try! Or you can tag me on instagram.