4.8 from 36 votes
Quick & Easy Cashew Ricotta (Soy-Free!)
Light and creamy vegan ricotta made with just 5 simple ingredients—cashews, lemon, garlic, and more. Whip it up in a food processor or blender for a versatile topping that’s perfect on pasta, pizza, salads, and beyond!
Prep Time
40 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 8 (~2-Tbsp servings)
Calories: 117 kcal
Course:
Side Dish , Appetizer , Condiments
Cuisine:
Italian , Vegan
Ingredients
RICOTTA
- 1 ¼ cup raw cashews
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp nutritional yeast, plus more to taste
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4-1/2 tsp sea salt (plus more to taste)
- 4-6 Tbsp water
FOR TOPPING optional
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley or cilantro
Instructions
- Soak the cashews in very hot water for 30 minutes to 1 hour, or in cool water for 6 hours to overnight. Drain, rinse, and set aside.
- Place the soaked and drained cashews in a food processor or high-speed blender along with lemon juice, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, sea salt, and the smaller portion of water (4 Tbsp / 60 ml as written—adjust if changing batch size). Blend or process, scraping down the sides as needed. Gradually add more water, 1 Tbsp (15 ml) at a time, until a thick, creamy paste forms. A food processor usually gives the best texture, but a blender works in a pinch—though it may require more scraping and slightly more liquid.
- Taste and adjust the flavors as desired—add more nutritional yeast for a cheesier taste, salt to season, lemon juice for brightness, or garlic powder for extra garlic punch. Blend again until smooth and well combined.
- At this stage, your cashew “cheese” is ready to enjoy! The flavors will deepen and the texture will thicken as it chills. It’s delicious on pizza, pasta, lasagna, salads, and much more.
- Best enjoyed fresh. Store any leftover cashew “cheese” in the refrigerator for 5–7 days, or freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature or in the fridge before serving.
Cup of Yum
Notes
Nutrition information is an approximate estimate, based on the lower amount of salt and excluding optional ingredients.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1two-tablespoon serving
Calories
117
(6%)
Carbohydrates
6.8g
(2%)
Protein
4.3g
(9%)
Fat
9g
(14%)
Saturated Fat
1.6g
(8%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1.59g
Monounsaturated Fat
4.83g
Trans Fat
0g
Cholesterol
0mg
(0%)
Sodium
76mg
(3%)
Potassium
158mg
(5%)
Fiber
0.9g
(4%)
Sugar
1.3g
(3%)
Vitamin A
0.11IU
(0%)
Vitamin C
0.84mg
(1%)
Calcium
8.66mg
(1%)
Iron
1.41mg
(8%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8(~2-Tbsp servings)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 117
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1two-tablespoon serving | |
| Calories | 117 | 6% |
| Carbohydrates | 6.8g | 2% |
| Protein | 4.3g | 9% |
| Fat | 9g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat | 1.6g | 8% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.59g | 9% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4.83g | 24% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 76mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 158mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 0.9g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1.3g | 3% |
| Vitamin A | 0.11IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 0.84mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 8.66mg | 1% |
| Iron | 1.41mg | 8% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.