Enjoy a delicious cashew cheese sauce you can make in just 5 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. If you're looking for a nut-free vegan cheese sauce, check out Best Nut-Free Vegan Cheese Sauce or Vegan Cashew Queso.
This is a staple recipe at our house, along with the other 5 in 5 sauces that get drizzled on everything - pizza, potatoes, veggies, and rice bowls. It is the same recipe I use for my Vegan Chili Mac and Cheese and Vegan Spicy Chili Cheese Fries, which my family consumes in double batches of this gooey delight.
If you like making sauces and dressings at home, I have a quick and easy method for making 100's of sauces in How to Make Homemade Vegan Sauces.
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Ingredient Overview
Here are the ingredients for this delicious recipe that you may already have in your pantry. The tahini is optional. See the printable recipe card for details.
- Cashews: I buy cashews at Costco for their affordability, but they’re also available on Amazon. Stick with raw cashews for the best creaminess.
- Even though I have a high-speed blender, I still soak my cashews to get the smoothest, creamiest dip possible. If you’re short on time, just pop the cashews in a bowl with water and microwave them for two to three minutes. If you don’t have a high-speed blender, you’ll need to soak them longer, either by letting them sit in water for a few hours or boiling them.
- Nutritional Yeast (AKA, Nooch) - This is a staple in plant-based kitchens because it has a nutty, cheesy flavor that’s perfect for adding savory depth to dishes. It’s a deactivated yeast often found in the baking aisle of most major supermarkets.
- Tahini - 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 Vegan Cashew Cheese Sauce
This recipe comes together fast! See the printable recipe card for more information.
The Only Step!: Place all the ingredients in a blender, bullet, or food processor. Blend the ingredients until they reach a smooth and creamy texture. Add more water a tablespoon 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.
- Soak the cashews if you do not have a high-speed blender. I soak them even though I have a high-speed blender because I feel it comes out creamier. Check out Guide to Soaking Cashews for quicker ways to plump up those cashews.
- For storage, place in an air-tight container for 3 to 4 days.
Serving Suggestions
- This sauce is an excellent alternative to traditional Alfredo sauce.
- Vegan cashew cheese sauce can be used as a dip for vegetables, crackers, or chips.
- Vegan cashew cheese sauce is a great substitute for traditional cheese in your grilled cheeses or burgers.
- 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're ready to use it, thaw it in the refrigerator, reheat it on the stovetop, and add water to achieve the desired consistency.
Yes, you can use roasted cashews to make the vegan cashew cheese sauce, but it's best to use raw cashews for 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.
Cashew Cheese Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews soaked*
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon tahini
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic
- 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.
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!