Creamy Pesto Sauce (Dairy Free)

January 12, 2026
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This dairy-free, vegan Creamy Pesto Sauce is a wonderful accompaniment for pasta, salads and pizzas. Taking the place of a traditional pesto sauce, it is creamy and cheesy by virtue of the raw cashew nuts and nutritional yeast, without using any cheese.

With only 7 ingredients and only 5 minutes, this sauce is so easy and delicious! Just combine all of the ingredients and blend them in a high-speed blender and you are ready to serve!

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Creamy Pesto Sauce (Dairy Free)

Makes: 8 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

2/3 cup raw cashews
2 cups (loosely packed) fresh basil leaves
3 tbsp olive oil
2-3 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp nutritional yeast
1 tsp sea salt
1 small clove garlic, peeled
1/2-2/3 cup water

Instructions

Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender (starting with the lesser amounts of lemon juice and water) and blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed. Taste and adjust, adding more cashews for richness/thickness, more nutritional yeast for “cheesiness,” more lemon juice for brightness, or more salt for overall flavor/balance.

Enjoy on pasta or drizzle over chicken, fish, veggies, or bowls!

Leftover sauce will keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Not freezer friendly.