Vegan Cheddar Cheese Spread
This Vegan Cheddar Cheese Spread is creamy, perfectly melty, and full of cheesy flavor. It’s ready in 25 minutes and made with simple ingredients like cashews, carrots, and nutritional yeast. It blends up smooth and turns glossy and stretchy on the stove, making it great for grilled cheese, pasta, or sandwiches.
Servings: 12
Calories: 58kcal
Ingredients
- ¾ cup raw cashews
- ½ cup carrots peeled and chopped
- ¾ cup water
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- 3 tablespoons tapioca starch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric optional, for color
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika optional but recommended
Instructions
- Add the raw cashews and chopped carrots to a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook for about 10 minutes, or until both are soft. Drain well.
- Transfer the cooked cashews and carrots to a high-speed blender. Add the water, tapioca starch, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, turmeric, and smoked paprika. Blend on high until completely smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides if needed.
- Pour the mixture into a medium saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, for about 3–5 minutes, or until it thickens and becomes glossy and stretchy.
- Remove from the heat once smooth and spreadable. Taste and adjust salt if needed. Use immediately while warm, or let it cool slightly to thicken even more.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days. It will thicken as it chills, which is completely normal.
- To freeze, let it cool completely, transfer to a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
- To reheat, warm it gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. Add a splash of water or unsweetened plant milk to bring back the creamy, smooth texture.
Nutrition
Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 58kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 102mg | Potassium: 95mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 912IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg
