Enjoy a delicious vegan cashew cheese sauce you can make in just minutes. Perfect for nachos, pasta, or as a dip.

If you don't like broccoli, you find baked potatoes boring, and creamy is your favorite food group, this easy vegan cheese sauce is for you!
It will liven up your potatoes and broccoli like no other condiment. Made from raw cashews, too much won't be kind to your hips, but it will be good for your lips.
This is a staple recipe at our house along with other 5 in 5 sauces that gets drizzled on everything - pizza, potatoes, veggies, and rice bowls. It is the same recipe I use for my Chili Cheese Fries, where my family consumes a double batch of this gooey delight.
Jump to:

Ingredient Overview
Here are the ingredients for this delicious recipe that you may already have in your pantry. The tahini is optional.

- Cashews: While cashews aren’t the cheapest ingredient—the price is nuts—they’re used sparingly in this recipe as a condiment. I buy mine at Costco, but they’re also available on Amazon. Stick with raw cashews for the best creaminess since roasted ones won’t blend as smoothly.
- Nutritional Yeast (AKA, Nooch) - A staple in plant-based kitchens, nutritional yeast has a nutty, cheesy flavor that’s perfect for adding savory depth to dishes without unhealthy fats or cholesterol. It’s a deactivated yeast often found in the baking aisle of most supermarkets.
- Tahini - This ingredient is optional in this recipe, but I add it for the depth of flavor it adds to this sauce. Tahini is made from toasted ground sesame seeds and used as a base in many sauces and dressings. I buy it at Trader Joe's or on Amazon. Not all tahini brands taste the same, so experiment to find your favorite.
How To Make Easy Vegan Cashew Cheese Sauce
If you like pictures, here are a couple to show you what you'll be doing. This recipe comes together fast!

Step 1: Place all the ingredients in a blender, bullet, or food processor.

Step 2: Blend the ingredients until they reach a smooth and creamy texture. Gradually add a tablespoon of water at a time to achieve your desired consistency.
Top Tips
- For thicker cheese, use less water. For a thinner salad dressing consistency, use more water.
- You can soak the cashews if you do not have a high-speed blender. Check out Guide to Soaking Cashews for other ways to plump up those cashews.
- For storage, place in an air-tight container for 3 to 4 days.
- If you like making sauces and dressings at home, I have a quick and easy method for making any sauce in How to Make Homemade Vegan Sauces.
- If you want other delicious cheese sauces to try, check out Best Nut-Free Vegan Cheese Sauce or Vegan Cashew Queso.
Serving Suggestions
- Pasta Sauce: This sauce is an excellent alternative to traditional Alfredo sauce.
- Dip: Vegan cashew cheese sauce can be used as a dip for vegetables, crackers, or chips. It is perfect for parties or gatherings.
- Dressing: This sauce can be used as a dressing for salads. It is a healthy and flavorful alternative to traditional salad dressings.
- Grilled Cheese or Burger Topping: Vegan cashew cheese sauce is a great substitute for traditional cheese in your grilled cheeses or burgers.
- Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich: Smother this on top of a steak sandwich made with Beyond Steak Seared Tips, red peppers, and onions.
- Replace the cheese sauce in Easy Vegan Nachos and make a double batch of this cashew-based sauce.
Cashew Cheese FAQS
You can freeze vegan cashew cheese sauce for up to three months. When you are ready to use it, thaw it in the refrigerator, reheat it on the stove, and add water to reach the desired consistency.
Yes, you can use roasted cashews to make the vegan cashew cheese sauce, but it is best to use raw cashews to get the creamiest texture.
Related Vegan Cheese Recipes
Have a minute? I'd love for you to dive into the comments and rate this cashew cheese sauce. Your feedback is invaluable—did you love it? Did you make any fun twists? Let me know how my directions worked for you so I can keep improving my recipes. Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for inspiration.

Easy Vegan Cashew Cheese Sauce
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This super satisfying and creamy vegan cashew cheese sauce is so versatile that it can be used in various dishes. Try it on potatoes, pasta, veggies, sandwiches, and salads.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cashews (soaked if necessary (look at tips)
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon tahini
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic (¼ tsp of dried)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Blend: Place all the ingredients in a blender and mix until creamy and smooth. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
Notes
Nutritional information is only an estimate. Use a nutritional app like Cronometer to get information on the exact ingredients and amounts you are using.
I recommend a high-speed blender for this recipe. You can still use a regular blender, but blending into a creamy consistency may take time.
If you want it spicy, blend in a jalapeno or add some red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: condiment, dressing, sauce
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 218
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 588
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 13
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 9
Reese says
Wow, exceeded my expectations. I've found my go-to sauce for soooo many meals.
Regi Pearce says
Thank you! This is truly my go to sauce too. I put it on anything and everything!