Easy Vegan Cashew Cheese Sauce

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:

• Popular uses for cashew cheese sauce
• Ingredient Overview
• How To Make Easy Vegan Cashew Cheese Sauce
• Tips
• FAQs
• Recipe
• Comments

Popular uses for cashew cheese sauce

1. Pasta Sauce: This sauce is an excellent alternative to traditional Alfredo sauce.
2. Pizza Topping: It's a great substitute for traditional pizza cheese. It is a healthier option and tastes just as good.
3. Dip: Vegan cashew cheese sauce can be used as a dip for vegetables, crackers, or chips. It is perfect for parties or gatherings.
4. Dressing: This sauce can be used as a dressing for salads. It is a healthy and flavorful alternative to traditional salad dressings.
5. Grilled Cheese or Burger Topping: Vegan cashew cheese sauce is a great substitute for traditional cheese in your grilled cheeses or burgers.
6. Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich: Smother this on top of a steak sandwich made with Beyond Steak Seared Tips, red peppers, and onions.

Ingredient Overview

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

• Cashews are not the most budget-friendly ingredient - the price is nuts - but this recipe is meant as a condiment and used sparingly. I buy my cashews from Costco, but you can find them on Amazon for a reasonable price. Raw cashews are better in this recipe because roasted cashews won't give you the desired creaminess.

• Nutritional Yeast (AKA, Nooch) - If you're new to plant-based cooking, nutritional yeast sounds like a weird ingredient, doesn't it? But I'm here to tell you that nooch is a staple in most plant-based kitchens because it has a nutty, cheesy flavor and is often used to add a savory flavor to dishes that traditionally use cheese. It adds flavor and protein to dishes without adding unhealthy fats or cholesterol. It's a deactivated yeast 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. It is found in many hummus recipes. I buy it at Trader Joe's or on Amazon. Not all tahini brands taste the same, so experiment to find your favorite.

• Lemon juice

• Garlic

• Salt and pepper

• Water - Adjust the amount of water until you achieve the desired consistency.

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!

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. Soak them in hot water for 90 minutes before blending or for at least 4 hours in room-temperature water to get a creamier consistency with a regular 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.

FAQs

Got a minute? Dive into the comments and rate this recipe to let me know how it turned out for you. Was it a hit? Any twists you added? I want to know if my directions were any good or if you plan to make it. Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for inspiration.

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