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vegan nacho cheese topped with sliced jalapeno and cilantro in a white bowl on a brown cutting board with nachos, cilantro and salsa on the side

Quick Vegan Nacho Cheese Dip with Cashews

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5 from 2 reviews

  • Author: Elaine Gordon
  • Total Time: 17 mins
  • Yield: 6-8 1x
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

Learn how to make vegan nacho cheese dip (or sauce) in under 20 minutes with this easy recipe. It’s made with cooked carrots, pre-soaked raw, unsalted cashew nuts, nutritional yeast, and lightly spiced. This cashew cheese sauce has many versatile uses — it’s terrific with tacos, quesadillas, and more. It’s completely addictive and tastes remarkably like the real deal.

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 cup carrots, diced*
  • 1 cup raw, unsalted cashews or 3/4 cup raw blanched slivered almonds (not sliced or whole almonds)**
  • 1/2 cup water (or more if needed)
  • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne (or more if you want more heat)
  • 1/8 teaspoon chili powder (or more if you want more heat)

Instructions

  1. Bring a small pot of water to a rolling boil and add carrots. Cook until fork tender (about 12 minutes). Drain and add to high speed blender.
  2. Add all other ingredients to a high speed blender and puree until smooth and creamy. You may need to thin with water 1 tablespoon at a time to reach your desired consistency.
  3. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. You may want to add a squeeze of fresh lemon to help the flavors pop and for some tang/acidity.
  4. Pour into a small serving bowl for dipping with chips. Serve warm. Garnish with jalapeno, diced red onions and/or fresh cilantro.

Notes

* You can substitute peeled cooked sweet potatoes in place of carrots. Use 1/2 cup mashed cooked sweet potato.

** Soak in water overnight or for a fast soak you can put them in a glass jar with boiling water and shut the lid. Let soak for at least 30 minutes. The longer they soak the creamier they are and the easier they are to digest. Learn more about How (and Why!) to Soak Cashews. If you don't have time to soak use a high speed blender and add a little extra water. 

You may want to microwave just before serving. Serve the cheese sauce on a plate warmer. The cheese sauce can also be used for making nachos.

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 12 mins
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Blender
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://www.eatingbyelaine.com/vegan-queso/