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Vegan Queso – this nacho dip is creamy and “cheesy”, but dairy free, oil free, and made from whole foods. Grab a bag of tortilla chips and get to dipping!
This Vegan Queso has been a long time coming. You all know I have a chips and salsa addiction. What you don’t know is that I used to have a chips and queso addiction too.
I’ve made a few versions of nacho “cheese” dip at home that I have definitely enjoyed, but they didn’t necessarily remind me of the jarred kind I used to love.
I have been wanting to make my Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese sauce into a nacho cheese sauce for some time now and I finally did it! It’s creamy, cheesy, smoky, a little spicy, and so darn delicious!
Inspiration From My Famous Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
It’s the number one most popular recipe on my blog for a reason – it’s amazingly delicious! My Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese has been winning over vegans and carnivores alike, kids and adults, men and women.
I was even on The Doctors recently serving up this dairy free dream to unsuspecting mac and cheese loving children. They ALL loved it!
I’ve already used this sauce in my Baked Buffalo Chickpea & Artichoke Taquitos and as the base for my Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup – 2 more reader faves!
I have always wanted to transform this vegan cheese sauce into a spicy vegan cheese dip as well and, thankfully, I’ve finally done it! It really tastes like cheese sauce you guys!! I added some smoked paprika for some smoky notes and green chiles and salsa for a little heat. I promise you won’t be able to stop eating this stuff!
How to Make Vegan Queso
This Vegan Queso needs less than 10 ingredients and no special skills. The only prep work is peeling and cutting the butternut squash. You could even skip that part and buy pre-chopped squash if you prefer.
Then just simmer the squash until tender. You throw the cashews in there, too, so no need to soak them first.
Then, bust out your blender and purée until smooth.
Add a few extras, gently heat until bubbly, grab those chips, and dive in! Snacking bliss!
Vegan Queso
I hope you love this Vegan Queso as much as we do! If you try it, please come back and leave me a message below with your feedback and star rating. You can also find me on social media. Be sure to tag @veggie_inspired and #veggieinspired so I’m sure to see it. Enjoy!
Vegan Queso - this nacho dip is creamy and "cheesy", but dairy free, oil free, and made from whole foods. Grab a bag of tortilla chips and get to dipping!
- 1 1/2 cups cubed butternut squash (peeled and seeded before cutting into cubes - or you can buy a package of pre-cut squash)
- 1/2 cup raw cashews
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 3-4 tbsp non-dairy milk (or water)
- 1/4 cup your favorite salsa (I like Trader Joe's Salsa Authentica)
- 1 4.5 oz can diced green chiles
Add the cubed butternut squash and cashews to a pot and cover with water by at least an inch. Bring to a boil, lower the heat to med, and simmer for about 20 minutes until the squash is fork tender.
When the squash/cashews are done, drain and pour into a high speed blender.
Add the lemon juice, smoked paprika, nutritional yeast, salt, and turmeric. Blend until completely smooth, adding the non-dairy milk (or water) 1 tbsp at a time to get things moving if needed. You'll need to use the tamper to push the ingredients to the bottom. Don't make it too thin! Use just enough liquid to get it all blended. I used about 3-4 tbsp.
Once it's completely smooth, pour the mixture into a pot (you can use the same one you used for the squash/cashews) and stir in the salsa and diced green chiles.* Gently heat the queso over medium heat until thick and bubbly.**
Serve immediately with Tortilla Chips.
*Alternately, you can add the salsa and green chiles to the blender with the other ingredients. I like my queso to be a little bit chunky, so I just stir them in.
**This queso is good cold as well, but I prefer it warm.
More Delicious Dairy Free Dips to Love:
Vegan French Onion Dip w/ Dill
Smoky Cilantro Lime Mexican Bean Dip
Charlie says
Could this be frozen? It looks amazing!!!!
Jenn Sebestyen says
I’ve never tried freezing it, but I would imagine so. Let me know if you try it.
Gregory A Anderson says
I fell in love with your Butternut Mac&Cheese, so trust this will work out as well.
I read the comments and are hoping folks eat Mexican foods more often than once a year. hahaha
Mexico has been the home of many, many veggie based recipes.
Ciao for now, Chow for L8rs.
May the forks be with you all.
Jenn Sebestyen says
Glad you like the mac and cheese. Hope you love this as well! Thanks!
Erik Liddell says
Just made the queso with the slight variation of adding freshly ground cumin and roasted jalapenos and finger hot peppers from the garden. Turned out fantastic. This will be my go to vegan queso from now on for sure. Thanks!
Jenn S. says
I love those additions – sounds fantastic! Thanks, Erik. So glad you loved it!
Matina says
Hi Jenn! My kiddos can’t do cashews 🙁 Do you know what this ingredient particularly does, could we do without and have success??
Jenn S. says
The cashews make it smooth and creamy. This recipe is very similar to my Butternut Mac sauce and many people have had success using white beans in place of the cashews, so you might try that. Let me know how it goes!
Jenn F says
Made this last night for our taco/nacho night. It was great! The boys gobbled it up and kept asking for more.
Jenn S. says
That’s awesome! I’m so glad to hear everyone loved it. I can’t get enough. Thanks, Jenn!!
Dreena Burton says
We miss out on NOTHING eating vegan. Even with cheese alternatives, I find we can enjoy them fully without feeling sickly after (unlike with dairy). Pass the queso. 🙂
Jenn S. says
Yes yes yes! Totally agree! Thank you, Dreena!
Bethany says
The dip looks so yummy! I can’t believe it’s vegan!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Bethany! Enjoy!
Alisa Fleming says
I’ve made sweet potato queso, but never butternut. This is brilliant Jenn! I definitely need to try this.
Jenn S. says
Oh, sweet potatoes – I never would have thought of that. Yum! Thanks, Alisa!
Kerri Olkjer says
This looks so amazing. I can’t believe it’s vegan too!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Kerri! It’s kind of dangerous as it’s all I want to eat now! LOL!
Casey the College Celiac says
I’m a sucker for a homemade vegan cheese sauce! And hidden veggies are always a plus…
Jenn S. says
Gotta love those sneaky veggies! 🙂 Thanks, Casey!
Mandy says
This looks exactly like the store bought, jarred queso, BUT waaaaay better for you and I’m sure tastes 100 times better! Looks like you nailed it, Jenn!! I want to dive right in, face first. Yummy!! And that’s the true test…if it tastes good cold 😉
Jenn S. says
Thank you, Mandy! Gosh, I was so addicted to that jarred stuff. I’m definitely happy to have a healthier alternative. I hope you guys love it too!
Lindsay Cotter says
This vegan queso looks so creamy and delicious! Will be a great addition to the menu for Cinco de Mayo!
Jenn S. says
It sure would. Thanks, Lindsay!
Kristina - Love & Zest says
I feel like I could put a tub of this away in no time flat. Looks amazing!
Jenn S. says
It’s definitely possible. Not that I know from experience or anything. 😉
Taylor Kiser says
This looks seriously delicious! I could make a meal out of this! Love everything about this vegan queso!
Jenn S. says
Oh, believe me, I have!! Thanks, Taylor!
Sarah says
Just in time for Cinco de Mayo next week! I will have to pick up some butternut squash as it’s been awhile since I made a vegan queso with it, usually because when I buy it I use it right away for something else so I don’t usually have it sitting around.
Jenn S. says
You only need 1.5 cups for this queso, so you’ll still have plenty leftover for something else! Let me know if you try it.
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
These is a great way to get people to eat more squash! Looks so creamy and delicious!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Amy! Gotta love those sneaky veggies!!
Dianne says
I love how healthy this recipe is! I can’t wait to try it!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Dianne! Let me know if you do!
Sonali- The Foodie Physician says
This is great! Looks so creamy and delicious!
Jenn S. says
Very creamy. Thank, Sonali!
Jessica - Nutritioulicious says
This looks great! Perfect for a party!
Jenn S. says
Yes, definitely! Thanks, Jessica!
Laura says
I’m TOTALLY intrigued by this recipe! My hubby lives for that salsa con queso in the jar….I wonder what he’d think of this!
Jenn S. says
Oh, I’d love to hear his thoughts after trying this! Thanks, Laura!
Alison's Allspice says
I eat vegetarian and am always impressed by peoples ideas for vegan cheese. This looks delicious simply because you use quality ingredients! I will definitely try this for our next nacho night!
Jenn S. says
Thank you, Alison! I hope you love it. Report back when you try it.
amanda -runtothefinish says
oh how I have missed nachos, this is a great idea!! I do love the way cashew cream gives things such a delicious flavor and this has to be more filling than regular cheese, right?!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Amanda! The cashews make is super creamy. It’s definitely filling, yet low in calories!
Liz says
This Jenn is AWESOME. Super excited too because I just picked up the latest TJ nutritional yeast product last weekend. Needing to make this gem soon!
Jenn S. says
Thank you, Liz! I hope you love it!! And, yes, I’m so happy that TJ’s started selling nooch!
Becky Striepe says
Oh my gosh, this looks soooo rich and creamy! Perfect for our next party!
Jenn S. says
If it makes it to the party! I can’t even tell you how much I’ve eaten all by myself for no reason whatsoever. So good! 🙂
Mary Ellen | VNutrition says
This looks so delicious Jenn! I used to eat jars of that queso too – I was so addicted. I’m excited to try your version, I can never have enough vegan queso!
Jenn S. says
Thank you, Mary Ellen! LOVE your version too! There is always room for more queso!