Vegan Bechamel Sauce Recipe for Creamy Pasta Dishes

If you’ve ever wished for a creamy, dreamy sauce to drizzle over your favorite vegan lasagna or pour onto roasted veggies, you’ll absolutely adore this vegan béchamel sauce recipe. Béchamel, the classic French white sauce, is traditionally made with butter, milk, and flour.

But guess what? You can make it just as luscious—totally dairy-free and plant-based!

Whether you’re new to vegan cooking or a seasoned plant-based chef, mastering a good béchamel will unlock so many delicious possibilities. It’s an essential base for creamy pasta bakes, gratins, moussaka, croquettes, and even vegan mac and cheese.

Plus, it only takes about 15 minutes from start to finish, with simple pantry staples. Ready to discover all the secrets to the perfect vegan béchamel?

Let’s dive in!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Creamy and Comforting: This vegan béchamel is every bit as silky and rich as its dairy counterpart, thanks to the perfect blend of plant milk and vegan butter.
• Simple Ingredients: You probably have everything you need in your pantry already—no fancy vegan cheeses or hard-to-find products required.
• Quick & Easy: The sauce comes together in around 15 minutes, with minimal prep and fuss.
• Versatile: Use this sauce for pasta, casseroles, lasagna, vegetable bakes, and more. It’s a true staple in vegan cooking.
• Customizable: Adjust the thickness, add your favorite herbs, spices, or even a touch of nutritional yeast for a cheesy twist.
• Allergy-Friendly: This recipe is naturally dairy-free, egg-free, and can be made soy-free, nut-free, and gluten-free with simple swaps.

Ingredients

• Vegan butter – 3 tablespoons
• All-purpose flour – 3 tablespoons
• Unsweetened plant milk – 2 cups
• Salt – ½ teaspoon (or to taste)
• Freshly ground black pepper – ¼ teaspoon
• Ground nutmeg – ⅛ teaspoon
• Nutritional yeast (optional) – 1–2 tablespoons

Equipment

• Medium saucepan
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Small bowl or cup (for mixing plant milk, optional)

Instructions

1. Melt the vegan butter.

   Place a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 3 tablespoons of vegan butter and let it melt completely, swirling the pan occasionally to make sure it doesn’t brown or burn.

2. Add the flour to make a roux.

   Sprinkle in 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Use your whisk to stir constantly, forming a smooth paste (the roux).

   Cook for 1–2 minutes, just until the mixture is bubbling and smells slightly nutty. Don’t let it brown—béchamel should stay pale!

3. Gradually add plant milk.

   Slowly pour in 2 cups of unsweetened plant milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Start with a few tablespoons at first, whisking to combine, then gradually add the rest while whisking.

   This will ensure a lump-free, silky sauce.

4. Simmer and thicken.

   Raise the heat slightly and continue whisking. As the sauce heats, it will begin to thicken.

   Continue to whisk for 4–6 minutes, until it reaches your desired consistency—thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but still pourable.

5. Season your béchamel.

   Add ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg. Whisk until fully incorporated.

   If you want a cheesy flavor, whisk in 1–2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast at this stage.

6. Taste and adjust.

   Give your sauce a taste. Adjust salt, pepper, or nutmeg as needed.

   If the sauce is too thick, whisk in a splash more plant milk until you reach the perfect consistency.

7. Serve or store.

   Use your vegan béchamel immediately in your recipe, or let it cool and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently, adding a splash of plant milk if needed to thin it out.

Tip: For ultra-smooth sauce, always whisk vigorously when adding the plant milk, and never walk away from the stove!

Tips & Variations

• Choose the right plant milk:

  For best results, use a creamy, unsweetened plant milk like soy or oat. Almond and cashew milk are also great choices.

  Avoid coconut milk (unless you want a coconut flavor) or sweetened milks.

• Make it gluten-free:

  Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Rice flour or chickpea flour also works, but may change the flavor slightly.

• Oil instead of vegan butter:

  If you don’t have vegan butter, use a light-tasting olive oil or avocado oil for the roux. The sauce will still be delicious, though slightly less rich.

• Add extra flavor:

  Stir in minced garlic or shallots when melting the butter for extra depth. Fresh or dried herbs (thyme, rosemary, parsley) can be added at the end for a twist on the classic.

• Cheesy béchamel:

  For a vegan cheese sauce, add 2–3 tablespoons of nutritional yeast and a pinch of turmeric for color. A squeeze of lemon adds brightness!

• Storage:

  Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce may thicken as it cools—just whisk in extra plant milk when reheating.

Pro Tip: This béchamel is the perfect base for a vegan moussaka, mac and cheese, or even as the star of a Veggie Quesadilla Recipe Indian Style Easy & Delicious!

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary based on brands of vegan butter, plant milk, and optional additions.

Serving Suggestions

This vegan béchamel sauce is incredibly versatile. Here are some of our favorite ways to use it:

• Vegan Lasagna: Layer it with noodles, veggies, and tomato sauce for a classic comfort meal.
• Vegetable Gratin: Pour béchamel over sliced potatoes, cauliflower, or broccoli, then bake until golden and bubbly.
• Mac and Cheese: Mix with cooked pasta and a little extra nutritional yeast for a creamy vegan mac.
• Drizzle over Roasted Veggies: Elevate simple roasted vegetables by topping with warm béchamel.
• Stuffed Peppers or Eggplant: Add a creamy layer to baked stuffed veggies.
• Breakfast Casseroles: Use as a base for vegan breakfast bakes or savory bread puddings.

Looking for more vegan inspiration? Try these other plant-based favorites:

• Vegan Slow Cooker Recipe for Easy, Delicious Meals
• Vegan Flour Tortilla Recipe Easy, Soft, and Homemade
• Vegan Cuban Recipes: Delicious Plant-Based Island Flavor

Conclusion

With this simple vegan béchamel sauce recipe in your repertoire, creamy comfort is always within reach—no dairy required! It’s wonderfully easy, endlessly adaptable, and tastes so luxurious you’ll never miss the original.

Use it to elevate everything from pasta bakes to veggie casseroles and even breakfast creations.

Remember, the best part of plant-based cooking is making a recipe your own—experiment with herbs, spices, or add-ins to match your mood or menu. If you enjoyed this recipe, be sure to check out our Veggie Quesadilla Recipe Indian Style Easy & Delicious, or pair your béchamel with homemade vegan flour tortillas for a unique twist.

For more global inspiration, don’t miss Vegan Cuban Recipes: Delicious Plant-Based Island Flavor.

Have questions, tips, or want to share how you used your vegan béchamel? Leave a comment below!

Happy cooking, and enjoy every creamy, dreamy bite.