If you’re looking for a fuss-free way to add some cheesy deliciousness to your dishes, this vegan Parmesan cheese is just what you need! It’s unbelievably easy to make, requiring just a few pantry staples and a food processor. Serve it on pasta, pizzas, salads, and more!
Who can argue with a vegan Parmesan recipe that requires only 4 ingredients and is ready in 5 minutes? For another quick and easy plant-based cheese, check out my vegan mozzarella!
Why I Love This Recipe
Making pasta and need a last-minute cheesy topping? Look no further than this easy vegan Parmesan cheese recipe! Seriously, it’s so simple to make, you could probably do it blindfolded!
Once blended, the texture turns out fine and powdery, similar to grated Parmesan cheese. It adds the perfect rich, savory touch to your favorite Italian-style meals, like vegan baked pasta.
The combination of raw cashews, nutritional yeast, and garlic powder creates a cheesy, umami flavor reminiscent of traditional Parmesan (you might have to do a double take!). Plus, it stores well in the fridge, so you can always have it on hand whenever you need a cheesy garnish.
Ingredient Notes
You don’t need much to create a delicious vegan Parmesan cheese recipe! Here’s a breakdown:
- Cashews: Provide a creamy base and mild flavor. Raw, unsalted cashews are best for this recipe, but roasted ones will work in a pinch (use roasted but unsalted if possible).
- Nutritional Yeast: Adds a cheesy, umami flavor essential for replicating Parmesan. Check for nutritional yeast at your local bulk food store for the best price.
- Garlic Powder: Adds a subtle hint of savoriness that enhances the “cheese” factor.
- Salt: Gives the cheese that classic salty Parm flavor and balances the other ingredients.
Substitutions
- Cashews: The next best option is almonds instead of cashews. The texture will be slightly grainier, and the flavor will not be as rich, but they still work well.
- Garlic Powder: If you don’t have garlic powder, try onion powder, which has a milder flavor but still adds depth to the cheese.
How to Make
Making this vegan Parmesan cheese is as easy as blending and serving! Just follow my tips and tricks for the best results.
Preparation
Gather and measure out all the ingredients. Ensure your food processor is clean and dry to prevent clumping and help achieve a fine powder texture.
Assembly
Step 1
Place the cashews, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and salt into the food processor. You can break the cashews into smaller pieces to make processing easier and faster.
Step 2
Pulse it on high until the mixture forms a fine powder, similar to grated Parmesan. Use short pulses, and stop occasionally to scrape down the sides for an even texture.
Step 3
Transfer your fresh vegan Parmesan cheese to an airtight container, and refrigerate it until you’re ready to eat. Use a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid to maintain freshness and prevent moisture from getting in!
Expert Tip
To achieve the perfect vegan Parmesan cheese texture, it’s crucial to pulse the ingredients in short bursts rather than blending continuously. This technique helps prevent the cashews from turning into nut butter and ensures a fine, powdery consistency that emulates traditional grated Parmesan.
I also recommend periodically stopping to scrape down the sides of the food processor. This additional step will help achieve an even blend and ensure that all the components are finely processed.
Serving Suggestions
Vegan Parmesan cheese pairs incredibly well with a variety of Italian dishes. For the perfect finishing touch, sprinkle it on top of vegan stuffed shells or trenette al pesto. It also works well on fusion dishes, like vegan rasta pasta and miso pasta.
You can use it to enhance a Easy Homemade Vegan Pizza or a fresh vegan wedge salad. Essentially, you can use it in any dish where you’d normally use regular Parmesan to add a savory depth.
Cooking Tips
- Use Unsalted Nuts: Salted nuts can make the cheese too salty in the end. Start with unsalted nuts to give yourself better control over the seasoning.
- Add Spices Gradually: If you’re testing out variations, add your spices gradually and taste as you go. This prevents over-seasoning and allows for micro-flavor adjustments.
- Store it Properly: To maintain the best taste and texture and prevent spoilage, keep the Parmesan in an airtight container in the fridge. Exposure to air can cause the quality to degrade.
- Label and Date: Label the container with the date to keep track of its freshness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nutritional yeast is essential for the cheesy flavor in this recipe. If you don’t have it, you can try substituting it with a small amount of miso paste for umami, but the taste will be different. It's best to use nutritional yeast for an authentic Parmesan taste.
Ensure the food processor is completely dry before using it. Pulse the ingredients in short bursts and stop occasionally to scrape down the sides for an even texture.
Yes, you can customize the flavor by adding dried herbs like oregano or basil, or spices like cayenne pepper. Add these gradually and taste the mixture to ensure the flavors are balanced.
I prefer a food processor for this recipe since it achieves a better texture. However, you can use a blender in a pinch. Pulse it in short bursts and scrape down the sides frequently to prevent turning the mixture into a paste.
Storing & Reheating
Once blended, let your vegan Parmesan cheese cool completely before storing it to prevent moisture build-up and maintain its quality.
Fridge
Store the vegan Parmesan in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. I prefer a glass container, like a mason jar, to keep it fresh and ready to use.
Freezer
Vegan Parmesan cheese keeps well in the fridge, but if you prefer, you can freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before using it again.
More Vegan Cheese Recipes
Vegan Parmesan
DESCRIPTION
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup cashews (raw) unsalted
- ⅓ cup nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
METHOD
- Place all the ingredients into a food processor, and pulse on high till everything combines into a fine powder texture - Similar to grated parmesan cheese.
- Transfer into an air tight container and refrigerate. Use to to garnish on salads, pizzas, and pastas.
NOTES
- Use Unsalted Nuts: Salted nuts can make the cheese too salty in the end. Start with unsalted nuts to give yourself better control over the seasoning.
- Add Spices Gradually: If you’re testing out variations, add your spices gradually and taste as you go. This prevents over-seasoning and allows for micro-flavor adjustments.
- Store it Properly: To maintain the best taste and texture and prevent spoilage, keep the Parmesan in an airtight container in the fridge. Exposure to air can cause the quality to degrade.
- Label and Date: Label the container with the date to keep track of its freshness.
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