Nacho Cashew Cheese Sauce (Print)

Creamy dairy-free sauce with spicy nacho flavor, ideal for dipping or drizzling over your favorite Tex-Mex dishes.

# What You’ll Need:

→ 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 jarred 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 for color optional
11 - 1 teaspoon salt or to taste

→ Liquids

12 - 3/4 cup water plus more as needed for desired consistency

→ Optional Additions

13 - 1 teaspoon hot sauce or chipotle in adobo for extra heat
14 - 1 tablespoon olive oil for extra creaminess

# How To Make:

01 - Combine drained cashews roasted red bell pepper nutritional yeast lemon juice garlic powder onion powder smoked paprika cumin chili powder turmeric salt and water in a high-speed blender
02 - Blend until completely smooth and creamy pausing to scrape down sides as needed Adjust consistency with additional water 1 tablespoon at a time
03 - Taste and season with more salt or lemon juice if desired For more heat blend in hot sauce or chipotle
04 - Pour sauce into a small saucepan Heat gently over medium-low heat stirring frequently for 5-7 minutes until warmed through and slightly thickened
05 - Serve warm as a dip or drizzle over nachos tacos or roasted vegetables

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 25 minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
  • The texture is velvety smooth and creamy, nothing like the grainy vegan cheeses of the past
  • You can customize the heat level from kid-friendly to fire-breather territory
02 -
  • Blending thoroughly is non-negotiable; any graininess will ruin the illusion
  • The sauce thickens as it cools, so keep that in mind when adjusting consistency
  • Reheating requires a splash of water and low heat to prevent separation
03 -
  • Invest in smoked paprika rather than sweet; the difference is night and day
  • If your blender struggles, let the sauce sit for 5 minutes then blend again

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