If you love cheese but it doesn’t love you back, then this recipe is for you. Skeptics will ask — how in the world can cashews taste anything like cheese? Honestly, it’s all thanks to the magic of nutritional yeast and several flavor-packed spices (I mean, no, it doesn’t taste exactly like cheese, but it’s very, very close).

I made cashew queso for the first time last night, and it turned out fabulous! I served it on top of homemade Chipotle Veggie Tacos (scroll all the way down for the recipe), and I absolutely loved the results: smokey meets tangy meets rich and creamy. If you’re entertaining a group of friends which includes both vegans and non-vegans, then this should be your go-to recipe.

EASY CASHEW QUESO

1 c. whole raw cashews
2 1/2 T. nutritional yeast
2 t. garlic powder
1 t. Dijon mustard
1/2 t. cumin
1 t. chili powder
1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
Pinch of salt

Pour the cashews into a bowl and cover them with hot water. Soak for at least an hour. Pour the cashews and the water into a food processor. Add the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. Adjust seasoning as necessary. It certainly shouldn’t be bland! Use a spatula to scoop the queso into a separate bowl and heat it in the microwave until warm.