A creamy blend of canned coconut milk and seasonings to make the best dairy-free alfredo sauce! Use it on your favorite gluten-free pasta, in a casserole, or as the base for a fun homemade pizza.
This coconut milk alfredo sauce is made without cashews and comes together in just 15 minutes!
Everyone needs a coconut milk alfredo sauce recipe in their repertoire. Mainly, because alfredo pasta makes the easiest weeknight dinner (and is always kid-approved!).
However, most non-dairy recipes call for soaking cashews or using tofu. This homemade alfredo sauce does neither of those!
Instead, it’s made with a coconut milk base (one of the best dairy-free swaps!), easy seasonings you already have, and cauliflower to not only thicken it up but sneak in some extra veggies!
As a Certified Nutrition Coach and mom to three, I am all about coming up with new ways to sneak veggies into kids!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Quick: This vegan alfredo sauce comes together in just 15 minutes.
No kitchen skills: There's no need to soak nuts or anything else out of the norm.
Allergy-friendly: This sauce is naturally dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free, paleo, and vegan.
Versatile: The alfredo sauce works on top of your favorite pasta, in a casserole, or as the base of a pizza.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This alfredo sauce with coconut milk is a bit different than most because there isn't a base of vegan butter!
No need for browning or anything specific which is why this recipe whips up in just fifteen minutes.
Full fat coconut milk: a swap in place of cream. Coconut milk (from a can not the carton) is what makes this recipe ultra-creamy. Learn everything you need to know about coconut milk.
Seasonings: you can’t have alfredo without garlic, salt, and onion powder. And for this dairy-free version, you also need nutritional yeast to give it that cheesy flavor without the cheese!
And while minced garlic is delicious, this recipe uses the granules to make prep time non-existent.
Cauliflower: sounds wacky but don’t skip this ingredient! The cauliflower helps make the alfredo sauce creamy.
Make sure to chop the cauliflower into super small pieces so it cooks quickly.
Arrowroot powder: a little bit goes a long way, this is what binds the creamy alfredo sauce and thickens it. Too much will make it goopy.
Important Teaching Tips
- As the dairy-free alfredo sits, it will thicken up. Thus, it is best used immediately after making. Especially, if you plan to pour it over gluten-free noodles.
- Make sure the cauliflower is chopped into fine pieces or even grated. This helps it cook quickly and blend smoothly. Alfredo chunks are not delicious.
- Make sure to continue to whisk as you add in the arrowroot starch as it tends to clump. At it slowly and whisk the entire time.
- The coconut alfredo is also delicious with some vegan parmesan cheese sprinkled in if you have it on hand- or just on top of the dish you use this with!
- Use it on top of pasta or pizza, similar to this pesto recipe without pine nuts.
How To Store It
Store the coconut cream sauce in the fridge for up to 3 days. However, know that it will thicken up immensely and kind of resemble glue. When you need it, heat it up over low heat and add a dash more coconut milk or dairy-free milk to thin it out.
I don't recommend freezing this coconut alfredo sauce as it doesn't thaw well.
How To Make Coconut Milk Alfredo Sauce
How To Use It
We eat this sauce mostly just poured over gluten-free noodles and leftover Dutch oven chicken for a speedy dinner. Add in some mushrooms to jazz it up. However, here are a few other tasty ways to use it up!
- Chicken and potato casserole
- The base of a homemade pizza
- Dairy-free chicken alfredo casserole
Frequently Asked Questions
Coconut cream (the white in canned coconut milk) and thinner milks like almond milk are what replace traditional milk when making dairy-free alfredo. From there you’ll also need a thickening agent like arrowroot powder.
Both shredded dairy-free cheese and non-dairy cream cheese will help give this alfredo sauce a more indulgent feel. However, it will also tweak the texture of the sauce which may come out too thick. If you want to melt cheese into the sauce, you may need to add a bit of extra almond milk.
Other Dairy-Free Dinner Ideas You’ll love
- Slow cooker chicken alfredo
- Gluten-free teriyaki sauce
- Dairy-free Tuscan chicken
- The BEST recipes for busy moms
- Dairy-free gluten-free dinner recipes
- Stovetop venison stew
- Baked teriyaki chicken thighs
- 30 minute teriyaki meatballs
- One pot chicken alfredo
- Slow cooker teriyaki chicken
- Easy cauliflower rice
- One pot sausage and tomato pasta
- 45 dinner ideas for busy nights
- 30-minute chicken fajita bowl
- 30-minute dinner ideas
- Easy, healthy dinners
Easy Coconut Milk Alfredo Sauce
Video
Equipment
- 1 Small cooking pot
- 1 Whisk
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Coconut Milk
- 1.5 cup Almond Milk
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- ½ tbs Garlic Granules
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ⅛ cup Nutritional Yeast
- ½ cup Cauliflower finely chopped
- 1 tbs Arrowroot Powder
Instructions
- Combine the milks, garlic, nutritional yeast, and salt in a small pot just over medium heat.
- Mix and bring to a rolling boil. Add in the cauliflower and cook for 4 minutes at a rolling boil to soften the cauliflower. Stir occasionally.
- Transfer to a high powdered blender and process until ultra smooth.
- Place it back in the pot and bring it back to a rolling boil.
- Add in the arrowroot powder and whisk immediately for one full minute so that no clumps remain. Cook for 1 one more minute then turn off and let sit.
Notes
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Trina says
What a great healthy alternative for an alfredo sauce! The creaminess of the sauce with garlic bits, cauliflower, and almond milk is the perfect combination. I used this sauce with the shirataki noodles I bought and it was delicious. I added parmesan on top just to balance the sweetness of the coconut milk and the creaminess of the milk with the saltiness of the cheese. Just perfect!
fitasamamabear says
I love that you enjoyed it!
Paula says
I've been looking for a healthier alfredo sauce. This one is so good and I feel better about eating my favorite meal now! Thank you!
Jess says
This is by far the best Alfredo sauce recipe I've tasted. I served this during a small gathering and it's perfect if you have a friend on a dairy-free diet.
fitasamamabear says
So happy you like it!
Tori says
I've recently had to go dairy-free for health reasons and had assumed it meant no more Alfredo sauce. I gave this recipe a try with some reservations, but it was delish! Also really easy to prepare.
fitasamamabear says
There's definitely some work arounds!
Candy says
I tried it on pasta and the result was a creamy and satisfying dish! I still have some leftovers of this sauce and I'm thinking of using it over pizza. Great recipe!
fitasamamabear says
Mmm pizza is so yummy with alfredo.
Lucy says
I love this! deliciously simple and dairy-free. Ready in just 15 minutes, it's the perfect sauce for pastas, casseroles, or even pizza!
fitasamamabear says
Glad you enjoy it!
Antonia says
I've made this a few times now, and it's so versatile. You can add your favorite vegetables or protein to make it a complete meal. Plus, it's ready in a flash!
fitasamamabear says
Yes!! It works for so much.
claire says
I made this last night for the family as my sons girlfriend was coming for dinner and she is vegan.
Everyone loved it and no one seemed to even notice that it wasn't our usual alfredo sauce!
I served it with some linguine and a green salad. A really delicious recipe and easy to follow 🙂
fitasamamabear says
Omg that's awesome! I love when an allergy-friendly swap is a it!! Makes my day.
Erica says
My husband is a bit on the intolerant side of lactose these days, but he loves alfredo so much. Do you think I could use coconut cream vs. coconut milk, maybe thin it out with a bit more almond milk? I tend to keep more of that on hand, so I was curious.
fitasamamabear says
Yep you can! You don't even need to thin it out, so long as you're using the coconut milk in a can you're good!
Addison says
This dairy free alfredo sauce was so creamy! Thank you for a diet friendly recipe for my family.
fitasamamabear says
Wahoo! Glad everyone loved it!
Michelle says
I love that it's easy to make and uses simple ingredients providing a rich and creamy flavor without the need for heavy cream or butter. I've found the sauce also pairs well with lots of veggies and meats.
fitasamamabear says
It's definitely a lighter version, keeps it simple too.
Shay L. says
This is a great dairy-free alternative to traditional alfredo sauce! My df daughter really enjoyed it.
fitasamamabear says
So happy to hear that!
Bella B says
The whole family loved this sauce and I am glad there is some leftover for me to have for lunch today, too. 🙂
fitasamamabear says
So happy to hear it was a family hit!
Brooke says
This was a beautiful surprise! I made it and didn't tell the hubs any different and he could not tell any difference. Adding this one to my recipes to have on repeat!
fitasamamabear says
Hahaha I do that all the time- so awesome.
Addison says
Loved this dairy free alfredo sauce! So smooth and creamy!
fitasamamabear says
It's a great one for sure!