
Creamy, tangy, and surprisingly close to the real thing, this cashew-based ricotta is the kind of recipe that makes you wonder why you ever needed dairy in the first place. Soaking the raw cashews until plump is the key step — it transforms them into something silky and blendable, giving you that thick, spreadable texture ricotta is known for. Nutritional yeast adds a subtle savory depth, while fresh lemon juice and zest keep things bright and fresh rather than heavy. A small clove of garlic rounds it all out, and the optional fresh basil takes it somewhere genuinely special. Traditional ricotta relies on dairy and sometimes eggs, so finding a version that works without either can feel like a compromise — but this one holds its own on a spoon and firms up beautifully after a short chill in the fridge. It's endlessly versatile: layer it into lasagna, spread it on toast, dollop it over roasted vegetables, or use it anywhere you'd reach for the store-bought tub. The whole process comes together in a blender or food processor, so the effort is minimal even if the result tastes anything but.
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Place the cashews in a bowl and cover with cold water by at least 2 inches. Soak for 2 hours at room temperature, or overnight in the refrigerator, until the cashews are plump and noticeably softened.
Drain the cashews through a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cold running water.
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