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Creamy Cashew Cheese Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 594 reviews

This creamy Cashew Cheese Sauce is a delicious, dairy-free alternative perfect for anyone craving a rich, cheesy flavor without the dairy. Made from raw cashew nuts, nutritional yeast, and a blend of spices, this sauce is smooth, tangy, and versatile. It’s ideal as a dip, drizzle, or a base for vegan mac and cheese, offering a silky texture with a smoky undertone thanks to smoked paprika. Quick to prepare and entirely plant-based, this sauce enhances a variety of dishes effortlessly.

Ingredients

Scale

Cashew Cheese Sauce Ingredients

  • 1 cup (140 grams) raw cashew nuts
  • 4 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • 1 small clove garlic
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (or chipotle powder)
  • ¾ to 1 cup (180 ml to 240 ml) plant milk (must be unflavoured & unsweetened)

Instructions

  1. Soak the cashews: Place the raw cashew nuts in a small bowl and cover them completely with boiling water. Let them soak for 15 minutes. This step helps in making the sauce extra silky and smooth, even if using a high-powered blender.
  2. Prepare the ingredients for blending: Drain the soaked cashews through a sieve, discarding the soaking water. Add the drained cashews to a blender along with nutritional yeast, white wine vinegar, garlic clove, onion powder, sea salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and start with ¾ cup (180 ml) of the plant milk.
  3. Blend the sauce: Blend all ingredients until completely smooth. Check the consistency of the sauce and add more plant milk if necessary, blending briefly after each addition until the desired creaminess is achieved.
  4. Adjust seasoning and serve: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning to your preference, adding more salt, pepper, or vinegar if desired. Use immediately or store in an airtight container for later use.

Notes

  • Soaking the cashews in hot water softens them, resulting in a smoother, creamier sauce.
  • Use unflavoured and unsweetened plant milk to avoid altering the sauce’s flavor.
  • This sauce can be customized with different spices such as chipotle powder for heat or tamari for a savory twist.
  • Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  • The sauce thickens when chilled; re-blend or stir with a little plant milk to loosen before use.

Keywords: Cashew cheese sauce, dairy-free cheese sauce, vegan cheese sauce, cashew sauce, creamy vegan sauce, plant-based cheese

Find it online: https://foodbylina.com/creamy-cashew-cheese-sauce-recipe/