Name: Vegan Parmesan Cheese Recipe With Cashews & Nutritional Yeast
Prep time: 2 min
Total time: 2 min
Ingredients: ½ cup cashews; 2 tbsp nutritional yeast; ½ tsp salt; ¼ tsp garlic powder

This vegan parmesan cheese recipe is made with just 4 simple ingredients and comes together in just 2 minutes. It has the perfect balance of nutty and cheesy flavor, similar to traditional parmesan while staying completely dairy free. If you are looking for a simple vegan cashew parmesan cheese that is quick and easy to make, this is one you can keep on hand as a staple.

Spoon scooping vegan parmesan cheese from a metal bowl, showing the crumbly texture with whole cashews and the edge of a pink tea towel nearby

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Cashews create a rich base, while nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and salt bring that classic parmesan taste. Using just the right amount of nutritional yeast, combined with salt and garlic powder, gives it a cheesy flavor that works well as a topping for pasta, salad bowls, and more. This cashew parmesan cheese has a clean, savory flavor that makes it taste so yummy and a great addition to so many meals.

The vegan parmesan cheese is made in a food processor, which helps create an even slightly crunchy texture. If you are wondering how to make vegan parmesan cheese at home, this method keeps things simple while still delivering great results. You can easily control the texture by adjusting how long you process it. Process for a shorter time if you prefer a slightly coarse texture, or longer for a finer, more powdery consistency.

This vegan parmesan recipe uses pantry staples and requires no complicated steps. It is a great option if you are looking for a vegan cashew parmesan cheese that is both simple and practical to make. Compared to store-bought versions, this homemade vegan parmesan cheese recipe lets you control the ingredients while keeping the flavor balanced and fresh.

I like to serve this cashew parmesan over my vegan lentil bolognese sauce for that cheesy flavor that we all crave. It also works well sprinkled over scrambled eggs, salads, and salad bowls. This vegan cashew parmesan cheese recipe is versatile and easy to use in a variety of meals.

Collage showing ingredients and steps for making cashew parmesan cheese, including cashews in a food processor and the finished crumbly texture in a bowl

Vegan Parmesan Cheese Ingredients

1/2 cup raw cashews
2 tbsp nutritional yeast
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt

How to Make Vegan Parmesan Cheese

Add all ingredients to a food processor.
Process until the mixture reaches your desired consistency.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge and use as needed.

Tips For Making The Cashew Parmesan

Adjust the salt to taste depending on how you plan to use it.
For a finer texture, process longer.
For a more crumbly texture, pulse lightly.

Pro Tip: Adjust the consistency by processing for less or more time, depending on your preference.

Macronutrient Info Per Serving (Full Recipe)

Calories: 409
Net Carbohydrates: 24 g
Protein: 18 g
Fat: 26 g

Top 5 Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin B12 – An essential nutrient to include in a vegan diet.
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) – Supports methylation as B2 is the cofactor for the MTHFR enzyme, which plays a role in folate metabolism
Copper – Supports iron metabolism and also plays a role in energy production.
Magnesium – Required for many processes in the body, including energy production and blood sugar balance. Many people do not get enough magnesium, especially with higher intakes of refined carbohydrates and sugar replacing magnesium rich foods.
Manganese – A cofactor for the SOD enzyme, which helps protect cells from oxidative stress

This recipe has a good balance of carbohydrates, protein, and fat, and is packed with vitamins and minerals found in cashews and nutritional yeast. It is also naturally lower in saturated fat than traditional Parmesan cheese, which can be helpful if you are mindful of saturated fat intake..

Nutritional yeast is a great source of vitamin B12, which is an important nutrient to include in a vegan diet. This cashew parmesan with nutritional yeast is also high in vitamin B2, which acts as a cofactor for the MTHFR gene. Along with magnesium, these nutrients play important roles in supporting the methylation pathway, which is important for overall health.

I tend to watch my dairy intake as I notice nasal congestion when I consume it. Plus dairy has alwasy come up as a moderate food sensitivity for me. This is one of the reasons I like using this vegan parmesan cheese as an alternative. I have also noticed my fasting blood sugar tends to rise when I consume higher amounts of saturated fat from dairy, which is another reason I prefer this vegan option.

This vegan parmesan cheese recipe is simple, quick to make, and full of that savory, cheesy flavor you expect from traditional parmesan. The combination of cashews and nutritional yeast creates a rich, slightly nutty taste, while the garlic and salt bring everything together into a well balanced finish. It is an easy way to add depth and flavor to your meals using just a few real ingredients, making it a staple you can keep on hand whenever you want that classic parmesan taste without the dairy.