I’m a big fan of cheese—the kind that comes from animals. Vegan cheese?
Ugh. Not so much.
What even is that???
But I try to be open minded. So I looked into it.
I didn’t realize there are so many different varieties. It piqued my interest. Because this is, after all, food.
And I love food!
Cheese Professor has a post on their favorite artisanal vegan cheeses. And I learned from them that January is “veganuary” which is strange since it’s also when National Cheese Lover’s Day is celebrated…is this a battle royale between the vegans and the purists???
I’ve been using using nutritional yeast over my popcorn for an additional nutty/cheesey umami taste for years, so some of these aren’t that long of a stretch for me.
Here’s a compilation of 18 recipes (shared with permission) that are either about making your own cheese or using vegan cheese in your cooking. A few are even nut-free, which I know is especially good for some people.
There are 2 sections: making the cheese itself, and using vegan cheese in a larger recipe.
Making Vegan Cheese
Kick off your journey into alternative cheeses by making your own. Here are 7 different recipes to try:
Stretchy Vegan Cashew Mozzarella | Alternative Dish Stretchy vegan cashew mozzarella cheese is perfect grated on pizza and melted in quesadillas and grilled cheese sandwiches.
Check out this recipe Vegan Cauliflower Cheese Sauce | Stacey Homemaker This dairy-free cauliflower cheese has the perfect cheesy texture and flavor and you can eat it as a dip, mix it with pasta, or drizzle it over veggies. It’s oil-free, gluten-free, nut-free, and it’s ready to eat in 30 minutes!
Check out this recipe Vegan Cream Cheese (No Cashews) | Stacey Homemaker This oil-free vegan cream cheese is super creamy and inexpensive to make because it’s made with sunflower seeds! Ready to eat in 20 minutes!
Check out this recipe 4-Ingredient Vegan Parmesan Cheese Recipe | Vegan Vigilante A Vegan Parmesan Cheese Recipe that requires only 4 ingredients & takes less than 5 minutes to make. Raw vegan, gluten-free and WFPB.
Check out this recipe Dairy-Free Parmesan Cheese {Vegan & Paleo} | Cassidy’s Craveable Creations This easy vegan parmesan cheese is salty, cheesy, and so delicious you’ll want to sprinkle it on everything you make! #VeganParmesanCheese
Check out this recipe Pistachio Nut Cheese with Cranberry Jelly | My Pure Plants This Pistachio Nut Cheese with Cranberry Jelly is the perfect vegan Christmas appetizer. Sliceable, so enjoy it on toast with veggies or on cracker.
Check out this recipe Paleo & Vegan Ricotta Cheese | Cassidy’s Craveable Creations This Vegan Ricotta Cheese is easy to make and works well in any recipe calling for ricotta cheese. Plus, it’s nut free, soy free, and Paleo! #dairyfree #soyfree #vegan #dairyfreericottacheese
Check out this recipe Pin me!
But wait, there’s more!
Using Vegan Cheese Substitutes
Want to dive right into using alternative cheese in your dishes? Here are 11 more recipes to explore:
“Cheesy” Green Chile Black Bean Dip – Vegan | A Meal In Mind This Mexican-inspired vegan cheesy green chile black bean dip is smooth, garlicky, tangy from the lime juice and slightly cheesy from the nutritional yeast.
Check out this recipe Vegan Carbonara | Vegan Huggs This Vegan Carbonara is a full-on comfort meal made with savory tofu bacon and a silky sauce that is filled with smoky and cheesy flavors. It’ll be a new family favorite!
Check out this recipe Vegan Cauliflower Cheese Soup (Gluten-Free) | The Pesky Vegan This vegan cauliflower cheese soup is creamy, indulgent, and gluten-free. Easy to make and cheesy in taste, you won’t notice there’s no dairy.
Check out this recipe Easy Vegan Mushroom Crostini | Happy Kitchen These festive vegan mushroom crostini recipe is an easy and impressive-looking appetizer perfect for your Thanksgiving or Christmas menu
Check out this recipe Pumpkin Mac and Cheese (Vegan & Delicious!) | By The Forkful The most delicious vegan pumpkin mac and cheese. An easy recipe with the creamiest sauce and all the comforting goodness you need.
Check out this recipe Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese | Vegan Huggs Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese – the epitome of comfort food! Loaded with rich, cheesy and buttery goodness that’ll have you coming back for seconds.
Check out this recipe Best Vegan Spanakopita | A Virtual Vegan Vegan Spanakopita. My take on the great Greek spinach and feta pie! Featuring shatteringly crisp phyllo pastry, and a soft, salty, feta-cheesy, spinachy filling, all baked up to golden perfection. Comfort food at it’s finest.
Check out this recipe Spaghetti Squash Greek Pastitsio | A Meal In Mind Greek pastitsio is a relative of lasagna – spiced, layered and creamy. This gluten-free spaghetti squash Greek pastitsio has béchamel-like sauce and tomato-y red meat filling.
Check out this recipe Gluten-Free Stuffed Shells with Vegan Almond Ricotta A classic Italian dinner recipe made-over so everyone can enjoy. Gluten-Free Stuffed Shells with Vegan Almond Ricotta and a homemade sun-dried tomato sauce! A cozy family meal that leaves bellies full and hearts warm! The two big pasta dishes in my Italian family were always ziti and stuffed shells,…
Check out this recipe Easy Vegan One-Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta | Delightful Adventures This one-pot cheesy taco pasta can be on your table in under 30-minutes! It’s a quick, easy recipe that can be made in your Instant Pot or the stovetop.
Check out this recipe Creamy Vegan Tortellini Soup Recipe (Under 30 Minutes in One Pot) | From the Library of Jules Buono This creamy vegan tortellini soup oozes comfort and decadence with non-dairy ingredients, and it can be made in under 30 minutes in one pot!
Check out this recipe I’d be really interested in how you feel about vegan cheese. Is it something you use regularly or are you still not convinced?
Pin me!
