Vegan Nacho Cheese

Name: Vegan Nacho Cheese Recipe
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 3 min
Total time: 5 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 cup water; 1/2 cup raw cashews; 1/4 cup all purpose flour or tapioca starch; 1 (4oz) jar pimentos, well drained; 1/3 cup nutritional yeast flakes; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 teaspoons salt; 2 teaspoons onion powder; Chipotle powder, to taste

posted by Chef Ani on Nov 30, 2016 (last updated Jun 16, 2026)

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This Vegan Nacho Cheese takes just 5 minutes to prepare! It’s a dairy-free “cheese” sauce made by blending together raw cashews, nutritional yeast, starch, and a blend of seasonings. There’s one secret ingredient in the sauce that makes it taste like traditional nacho cheese — keep scrolling to find out what makes this recipe SO good!

Vegan Sheet Pan Nachos served on a plate with vegan nacho cheese sauce

Creamy, Dreamy Nacho “Cheese” That’s Secretly Dairy-Free!

This 5-minute plant based nacho cheese recipe was shared with me by some good friends in West Virginia. (Thank you, Batista Family!) It’s a quick, easy, all-purpose cashew cheese sauce I just know you’re going to love as much as we do!

Simple and quick preparation: It’s honestly just so easy to prepare! Blend, heat, and eat!
Creamy cashew base: The cashews create a lusciously creamy texture, providing a rich and satisfying mouthfeel that mimics traditional cheese sauces.
Perfect for entertaining: This recipe is a crowd-pleaser and there’s enough for a big batch of nachos.
Fully customizable: Feel free to adjust the ingredients to match your taste preferences. Tweak the spice level, or add extra seasonings to make it uniquely yours.

This cashew-based nacho cheese sauce has the silkiest texture and umami flavor, and there are tons of creative ways to use it. I love serving it on my favorite sheet pan nachos, with fresh guacamole, and salsa for a delicious meal the whole family will love!

Ingredients and Substitutions

Cashews: These mild-flavored nuts give the sauce the most wonderful creamy mouthfeel.
All-purpose flour: Acts as a thickening agent. Tapioca starch is a great gluten-free alternative!
Jarred pimentos: Pimentos add a mild, sweet flavor and a vibrant color to the “cheese” sauce. Ensure they are drained before use to control the sauce’s consistency.
Nutritional yeast flakes: This provides a cheesy flavor to the sauce and is a common ingredient in vegan nacho cheese recipes. It’s a good source of vitamin B12 for a nutritional boost.
Lemon juice: Adds a tangy element that complements the cashews’ richness and balances the sauce’s overall flavor.
Olive oil: Contributes to the creamy texture and enhances the mouthfeel of the sauce. Choose a good-quality olive oil for the best taste.
Onion powder: This adds an aromatic quality to the cashew sauce sauce without the texture of raw onions.
Chipotle powder: This adds a smoky and spicy kick to the cheese sauce. Start with a small amount and adjust according to your spice preference. It adds depth and complexity to the overall flavor profile.

How to Make Vegan Nacho Cheese From Scratch

Add all of the ingredients to a blender. Since we’re using raw cashews, you’ll want to use a high-powered blender (I always bust out my Vitamix for this recipe).
Blend thoroughly. You want the sauce to be silky smooth and have zero grittiness from the cashews.
Adjust consistency as needed. If your sauce is too thick, add water gradually until it reaches your desired consistency.
Warm gently in a skillet. When heating the sauce on the stovetop, stir continuously over medium heat. Avoid boiling, as this can affect the texture of the sauce!

Chef Tip: If you don’t have a super-powerful blender like a Vitamix, consider soaking your cashews overnight. Drain and dry off the water before combining it with the other ingredients.

Optional Add-Ins

Salsa: Mix in your favorite restaurant-style salsa for a zesty kick. Choose mild, medium, or hot salsa based on your spice preference to elevate the overall taste.
Roasted red peppers: Roast red bell peppers and blend them into the sauce for a smoky and slightly sweet twist. This adds complexity and a beautiful color to your nacho cheese.
Spinach and artichoke: Sauté chopped spinach and artichoke hearts until tender, then mix them into the sauce. This variation brings a classic dip flavor to your nachos.
Taco seasoning: Incorporate a tablespoon of your favorite taco seasoning for a savory and spiced nacho cheese sauce.

Ways to Use It

Drizzle over a bed of tortilla chips: Top with your favorite nacho toppings like diced tomatoes, jalapeños, black beans, guacamole, and fresh salsa.
Create a loaded nacho platter for sharing: Arrange a variety of chips and add-ons like vegan sour cream, salsa, and olives for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Build nourishing taco salad bowls: Layer the cashew cheese sauce over a rice or quinoa base. Top with roasted vegetables, black beans, and fresh greens for a wholesome meal.
Use as a dip for fresh veggies: I like pairing this sauce with carrot sticks, cucumber slices, and bell pepper strips.
Spread between tortillas: It’s a decadent vegan quesadilla filling!
Pour over vegan tacos: This is a great substitute for shredded vegan cheese.

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