This Vegan Parmesan Cheese is a quick and easy dairy-free alternative made with simple whole-food ingredients in just 5 minutes-perfect for topping pasta, pizza, salads, and roasted veggies.
It has a perfectly crumbly texture and rich, cheesy flavor while being completely plant-based, gluten-free, lactose-free, and soy-free.
For a nut-free vegan parmesan cheese, try my hemp parmesan.
Don't miss my lactose-free burrata, plant-based cheddar, and my nooch cheese sauce, excellent plant-based substitutes for all your cheesy cravings.
Homemade vegan parmesan cheese is one of those non-dairy pantry staples I always keep in my kitchen because it instantly adds a cheesy boost to any meal.
We first tried it on baked spaghetti without meat, and it disappeared faster than I could snap a photo!
I love sprinkling it on lentil pizza, polenta, or green lentil bolognese-its savory flavor and crumbly texture made with cashews and nutritional yeast make every bite feel special.
It's simple, wholesome, cheaper than store-bought, lasts a long time, and while it doesn't melt, it's the perfect cheesy finishing touch that makes dishes pop.
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🥘Ingredients
- Raw unsalted cashews: Create a soft, creamy, and nutty base
- Nutritional yeast: The secret ingredient that gives a naturally cheesy flavor
- Garlic powder, onion powder, & fine sea salt: Boost and enhance the overall savory taste
As always, you can find the full recipe with a list of ingredients with measurements in a printable recipe card at the end of this post.
🔪How To Make Vegan Parmesan Cheese
Step 1: Add the raw cashews, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, and sea salt to a high-speed blender or food processor.
Step 2: Pulse until you get a coarse, crumbly texture. Taste and add more salt if needed. Avoid over-blending-otherwise it will turn into a sticky cashew paste.
📋Variations
- Spicy kick: Add a pinch of smoked paprika, cayenne, or chili flakes for a slightly spicy vegan parmesan.
- Herb-infused: Blend in dried oregano, basil, or thyme for a herby twist.
💡Marinela's Tips
- Use raw, unsalted cashews; they provide a soft, creamy base without any added flavors or salt.
- Don't overblend. Pulse just a few times to keep the mixture crumbly and maintain a bit of texture.
❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast with a naturally cheesy, savory flavor, often used in vegan cooking to add umami and a "cheese-like" taste.
No, this vegan parmesan cheese doesn't melt, but it adds a delicious, crumbly, cheesy flavor when sprinkled on dishes.
Store homemade Parmesan in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 weeks.
Absolutely, this recipe is 100% plant-based, gluten-free, lactose-free, and soy-free.
🍝Serving Suggestions
This cashew parmesan is so versatile and adds a cheesy boost to countless dishes. Sprinkle it over protein pasta salad or stir it into vegan scrambled eggs for a savory twist.
It's also perfect on roasted veggies like sweet potatoes and carrots, roasted broccoli and potatoes, or stirred into comforting soups like butternut squash and tomato soup.
For a breakfast or brunch treat, top a chickpea flour egg omelette with this crumbly, flavorful parmesan for extra richness.
🧀Dairy-Free Cheese Alternatives
📖 Recipe
Vegan Parmesan Cheese (Easy Dairy-Free Substitute)
Equipment
- 1 Food processor or high-speed blender
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews unsalted
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¾-1 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a food processor or high-powered blender.1 cup raw cashews, ¼ cup nutritional yeast, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¾-1 teaspoon sea salt
- Pulse until you get a coarse, crumbly texture. Taste and add more salt if needed, but avoid over-blending to prevent it from turning into a sticky cashew paste.
Notes
Nutrition
If you try this vegan parmesan cheese, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don't forget to tag a photo @go_eatgreen on Instagram.
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Aneta says
Amazing taste!
Marinela says
Thank you, Aneta! I'm so pleased you like it!