Vegan Cheesy Baked Potatoes

Indulge in the creamy, savory goodness of Vegan Cheesy Baked Potatoes—an irresistible plant-based twist on a comforting classic. Perfectly baked russet potatoes are transformed into a hearty meal with a rich, velvety vegan cheese sauce made from raw cashews, nutritional yeast, and a hint of smoked paprika for depth. The fluffy potato filling is mashed with the sauce, then loaded back into the crispy potato skins and baked to golden perfection. With just 20 minutes of prep and a cozy one-hour bake time, this recipe is as simple as it is satisfying. Garnished with fresh chives, these potatoes are a perfect side dish or main course that will wow vegans and non-vegans alike. Perfect for your next family dinner or a casual weeknight treat, these cheesy baked potatoes are comfort food made cruelty-free!

Nutriscore Rating: 84/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 large russet potatoes
• 1 cup raw cashews
• 1 cup nutritional yeast
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chives (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Step 2

Wash and scrub the potatoes thoroughly, then pierce each one several times with a fork.

Step 3

Place the potatoes directly on the oven rack and bake for about 50-60 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a fork.

Step 4

While the potatoes are baking, prepare the vegan cheese sauce. Begin by soaking the raw cashews in hot water for about 15 minutes to soften them.

Step 5

Drain the cashews and place them in a high-speed blender. Add the nutritional yeast, lemon juice, peeled garlic cloves, almond milk, onion powder, smoked paprika, sea salt, and black pepper.

Step 6

Blend on high until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if desired.

Step 7

Once the potatoes are done baking, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly.

Step 8

Cut each potato in half lengthwise. Gently scoop out the insides, leaving about 1/4-inch of potato flesh around the skin to create a sturdy shell.

Step 9

In a medium bowl, combine the scooped-out potato with half of the vegan cheese sauce. Mash together until smooth.

Step 10

Spoon the mashed potato mixture back into the potato shells. Drizzle the remaining cheese sauce over the top.

Step 11

Place the filled potato skins on a baking sheet and return them to the oven. Bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the tops are golden and bubbly.

Step 12

Garnish with chopped chives before serving, if desired. Serve warm and enjoy your vegan cheesy baked potatoes!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1897.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1924.9

Total Fat 54.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 9.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2592.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 309.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 40.5g	0%
Total Sugars 16.6g
Protein 64.8g	0%

Vitamin D 87.8IU	0%
Calcium 616.1mg	0%
Iron 22.0mg	0%
Potassium 7705.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 24.6%

Protein: 13.1%

Carbs: 62.3%