Nacho Cashew Cheese Sauce (Printable Version)
A rich, creamy dairy-free sauce with authentic nacho flavor. Perfectly spiced and ready for dipping, drizzling, or smothering 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
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
11 - 1 teaspoon salt
→ Liquids
12 - 3/4 cup water, plus additional as needed
→ Optional Enhancements
13 - 1 teaspoon hot sauce or chipotle in adobo
14 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
# Directions:
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. Process until completely smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape down sides as necessary.
02 - Check sauce texture and add additional water 1 tablespoon at a time if needed to reach desired pouring consistency. Blend briefly after each addition.
03 - Sample the sauce and adjust seasoning with additional salt or lemon juice as preferred. For increased spiciness, incorporate hot sauce or chipotle and blend to combine.
04 - Transfer sauce to a small saucepan and warm over medium-low heat, stirring frequently for 5-7 minutes until heated through and slightly thickened.
05 - Present immediately as a warm dipping sauce or drizzle generously over nachos, tacos, or roasted vegetables.
# Top Tips:
01 -
- Its incredibly versatile and works on everything from nachos to baked potatoes
- The sauce keeps for days in the fridge and actually tastes better as the flavors meld
02 -
- Dont skip soaking the cashews or your sauce will have a grainy texture instead of that luxurious creaminess
- The sauce thickens as it cools, so make it slightly thinner than you think you need
03 -
- For a smokier version, add a teaspoon of liquid smoke or use chipotle powder instead of regular chili powder
- If you dont have a high-speed blender, soak the cashews longer or use sunflower seeds for an equally creamy nut-free option