Nacho Cashew Cheese Sauce (Printable)
Creamy cashew-based sauce with smoky spices and roasted pepper for the ultimate dairy-free nacho topping.
# Ingredient List:
→ Nuts
01 - 1 cup raw cashews soaked in hot water for 15 minutes then drained
→ Vegetables
02 - 1/2 cup diced roasted red bell pepper from jar or homemade
→ Seasonings
03 - 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
04 - 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
07 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
09 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
10 - 1/2 teaspoon turmeric optional for color
11 - 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
→ Liquids
12 - 3/4 cup water plus more as needed for desired consistency
→ Optional Add-ins
13 - 1 teaspoon hot sauce or chipotle in adobo for extra heat
14 - 1 tablespoon olive oil for extra creaminess
# Steps:
01 - Add drained cashews roasted red bell pepper nutritional yeast lemon juice garlic powder onion powder smoked paprika cumin chili powder turmeric salt and water to a high-speed blender container
02 - Blend on high speed until completely smooth and creamy stopping occasionally to scrape down sides of blender Add additional water 1 tablespoon at a time if thinner consistency is desired
03 - Taste the sauce and add more salt or lemon juice as needed For additional spice blend in hot sauce or chipotle pepper
04 - Transfer sauce to a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat Stir frequently for 5 to 7 minutes until warmed through and slightly thickened
05 - Serve immediately as a warm dipping sauce or drizzle over nachos tacos or roasted vegetables
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
- The smoky, spicy flavor profile makes even die-hard cheese fans question everything they know
02 -
- Blending until absolutely smooth is non-negotiable, gritty sauce is nobody's friend
- Letting it heat gently on the stove transforms the texture from good to incredible
03 -
- Sunflower seeds make a fantastic nut-free substitute that still yields creamy results
- Double the batch and freeze portions in ice cube trays for future quick meals