Secretly Healthy Nacho Cheese Dip for Parties (Vegan)

Some of you might have clicked on this post to see if the “Vegan” part was a typo, and I am so proud to say that it is not a typo.

I have been slaving away in my kitchen to create a gut friendly, AIP, Paleo, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Soy-Free, Egg-Free, Sugar-Free, Grain-Free (are there any others that I forgot to mention) Nacho Cheese dip. And the best part is you can make this in less than 10 minutes, for less than $8! No joke.

I often create new recipes, so my guys are totally used to it by now. I made my first version of this (which was okay, but not amazing), I left it out on the counter with a note telling the guys to go crazy eating the nacho cheese dip. They devoured it. I was shocked (since I didn’t really like that recipe). So a couple days later, I made this recipe, and I am not exaggerating in saying IT IS AAAHHHMAZING! After two versions of this dip, and after I settled on this recipe, I asked the guys if they could tell that it was entirely made of zuchhini. You should have seen the look on my son’s face when I told him… He was shocked, which I think is a testimony to how good this stuff is.

As some of you may know by now, I am addicted to nachos. I blame my mom for it, she just couldn’t stay away from Taco Bell when she was prego with me, and to this day, I always want nachos, tacos, or a California Burrito. Thanks, Mom. 🙂

But I digress. You are not here for my tangents, you are here for my delicious nacho cheese recipe! Amiright. 🙂

I made this in time so you could make this for your friends when you host your Super Bowl party, or whatevs. I could totally eat this for dinner while watching my favorite Hallmark movie.

This recipe is approved by my hubby (who would tell me if he didn’t think it was as awesome as the Doritos Con Queso dip), my 16 and 20 year old sons. Christian, my 16 year old, said it was just as good as Doritos’ Con Queso Dip, and Everen, my 20 year old, said it was better than Con Queso dip because it tasted like Doritos cheese chips. He said that was a VERY good thing, so I am going with it.

After their overwhelming approval, I have finally decided to share this recipe with you, my fellow nacho cheese lover.

Not only is this recipe free of so many things (gluten, dairy, etc.), but it is waaaay cheaper to make than the traditional Velveeta cheese dip recipes. That stuff is so expensive. I spent less than $8 for all of my ingredients.

If you want to feed more than 4-6 people, I recommend doubling this recipe. If you want to turn it into a true nacho dip (with meat and tomatoes), see my notes at the end on how to incorporate that.

I haven’t seen or tried a recipe like this yet, so I am soooo excited to share it with you all, so, without further ado, here the recipe.

Vegan Nacho Cheese Dip:

3 Zucchini (Organic, Peeled, then cut into 1″ pieces)
1/2 Lemon (Juice – Squeezed)
2 tsp. Coconut Aminos (I got mine at Costco, but you can buy it here)
1 T. Avocado Oil
1/4 c. Chopped White Onions
1 med/lg Garlic Clove
1 tsp. Nutritional Yeast Flakes (I got mine at Sprouts, but you can buy it here)
1 tsp. Sea Salt
1 tsp. Cumin *Omit for AIP
2 tsp. Chili Powder *Omit for AIP

** To make it a nacho cheese dip with meat, add the below ingredients after you have blended the above ingredients. Add all the ingredients or just the beef.
1/2 lb. Ground Beef (Organic is preferred)
1/2 4 oz. Can of Hot Green Chilis *Omit for AIP
1 16 oz. Can of Diced Tomatoes (Drained) *Omit for AIP

How to make it:

1. Fill a large pot with a couple inches of water. Bring to a boil, then add in peeled and sliced zucchini. Cook until tender (use a fork to test for tenderness). Do NOT sautee, you just want the zucchini soft.
2. Once zucchini is cooked, add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
3. You can eat it right away or store it in a glass container for later.

*If you are taking it to a party, I suggest taking a crockpot and setting it to the “warm” setting.

You can serve this with chips, plantain chips, crackers, veggies, etc.

** A note on the Coconut Aminos, some companies still use soy in their coconut aminos, the BRAG brand does this, so I don’t buy that brand. As always, with any allergy, please read all the labels carefully.

That’s it. So simple. So healthy. Who knew eating veggies could be so amazing!

Try it, let me know what you think. 🙂

Until next time, stay healthy, laugh like crazy, and enjoy this thing we call life.

xoxo,

Lindsey Graves