15 of the Cheesiest Dairy-Free Recipes Ever! (2024)

Get ready to satisfy every cheesy craving you ever had because January 20th is National Cheese Lovers Day. It’s a day to celebrate all things cheesy and that includes vegan cheese. Vegan cheese is smooth, creamy, spreadable, sliceable and melt-able so you can enjoy all your favorite cheesy recipes. Plus, you can buy vegan cheese or make your own!

The vegan cheeses on the market are simply incredible. They taste amazing and can do everything we would want them to. Check out Vegan Cheese is Better Than Ever: Try These 11 Brands for the best dairy-free cheeses on the market. Or opt to make your own. Take a look at these 20 Amazing Vegan Cheeses You Can Make at Home.Then get ready to celebrate with 15 of our cheesiest dairy-free recipes.

1. Life-Changing Chili Cheese Fries

Will these Chili Cheese Fries really change your life? Well, they have Cajun-spiced fries baked until they’re golden and crispy. Then the fries are topped with a smoky and spicy chili. A creamy vegan cheese sauce gets poured down over it all, plus creamy avocado on top. Guess you’ll have to taste them to see.

2. Buffalo Cauliflower Pizza with Blue Cheese Spread

This Buffalo Cauliflower Pizza with Blue Cheese Spread is so amazing, you’ll never get delivery again. It is spicy, savory, and crunchy with roasted cauliflower tossed in Buffalo sauce. The blue cheeze spread really makes this pizza – it tastes really close to dairy blue cheese but so much better. For such an impressive meal, it’s not that difficult to bring together and it’s really worth it.

3. Cheesy Baked Kale Artichoke Dip

This Cheesy Baked Kale Artichoke Dip is a veganized version of the classic spinach and artichoke dip that everyone loves! It’s still just as creamy, cheesy, and totally dip-able, but the nutrition is punched up a bit with the addition of kale. Eat with bread, chips, or your favorite sliced veggies.

4. Creamy Mashed Potato Soup with Melty ‘Cheddah’ Cheeze Sauce

This Creamy Mashed Potato Soup with Melty ‘Cheddah’ Cheeze Sauce is hearty and comforting. It has all the goodness of mashed potatoes, with a hint of melty, tangy cheddar cheesiness! This will warm you right up on a cold winter’s day! Plus, it’s a great way to use up any leftover mashed potatoes that might need a little extra love.

5. Skillet Cheesy Enchilada Stew

Everything you love about enchiladas is in this hearty, luscious Skillet Cheesy Enchilada Stew. It’s got spicy soy curls, broccoli, mushrooms, black beans, and more all cooked in a bold and spicy sauce. Spicy pepper jack cheese gets melted all through it. Serve this in a bowl with plenty of tortilla chips to scoop up all the cheesy goodness.

6. Hot ‘n’ Bubbly Cauliflower Cheese

This Hot n’ Bubbly Cauliflower Cheese dish will have everyone running to the dinner table. Steamed cauliflower is tossed in a rich, cashew-based cheese sauce and then baked in the oven until it’s hot, bubbly and golden brown. It’s healthy, decadent, and delicious.

7. Smoky Apple and “Cheddar” Stuffed Baked Potato

The combination of flavors in this Smoky Apple and “Cheddar” Stuffed Baked Potato is incredible. The sweet apples combine with the spicy chili powder for a perfect balance. Add the smoky and slight maple flavor of the tempeh to the sweet and spicy apple, and the cheddar flavored cashew cheese, and it’s like a flavor bomb went off in your mouth.

8. Double Black Bean Tofu Cheeseburgers

These Double Black Bean Tofu Cheeseburgers will blow your mind. They taste more like beefy burgers than bean burgers. The texture is crispy on the outside and tender inside. Topped with lots of melty cheese, these burgers are like having your favorite burger joint inside your own kitchen.

9. Autumn Nachos With Pumpkin Queso Dip

These homemade Autumn Nachos with Pumpkin Queso Dip are cheesy and delicious. Tortilla chips are topped with all your favorites: jalapenos, olives, salsa, guacamole, and onions. The queso dip is made with pumpkin or squash and cashews and is so good, the tortilla chips won’t be the only thing you’ll be dipping in it.

10. Super Healthy, Ultra-Cheesy Mac and Cheese

You can stop searching, because this Super Healthy, Ultra-Cheesy Mac and Cheese is the last mac and cheese recipe you will ever need! Why? It’s nut-free, soy-free, and gluten-free, ridiculously easy to make, and the cheese sauce is addictive. Seriously, it’s creamy, cheesy, and rich, and comforting – you’ll want to drink this stuff with a straw.

11. Cheesy Polenta with Creamy Artichoke Pesto

This Cheesy Polenta with Creamy Artichoke Pesto is a comforting meal that combines all the best things in life. There’s soft polenta topped with nutty pesto made with artichokes, basil, and arugula. It’s a great easy dinner when you just need to sit down to something easy and hearty.

12. Spinach and Mushroom Alfredo Lasagna

This Spinach and Mushroom Alfredo Lasagna is comfort on a plate. Lasagna noodles are filled with spinach and mushrooms and layered with a simple, creamy and cheesy Alfredo sauce. Topped with fresh tomatoes, this dish is comforting, but not heavy, leaving plenty of room for dessert.

13. Cheezy Chilaquiles

Breakfast, lunch or dinner, these Cheesy Chilaquiles are perfect when you want an indulgent but easy meal. The tofu soaks up all the flavors in the sauce like chipotle in adobo and tomatillos. Served over tortilla chips, this is your new favorite skillet dish.

14. Easy Cheesy Broccoli and Brown Rice Bake

This Easy Cheesy Broccoli and Brown Rice Bake is easy, nourishing and comforting all at the same time. Brown rice and broccoli are tossed in an easy homemade cheesy sauce and baked in the oven until browned and bubbly. More cheesy sauce on top and you have a dish that’s the epitome of comfort food.

15. Vegan Poutine

Poutine is a traditional Canadian dish that is the ultimate comfort food. This Vegan Poutine has perfect oven-baked crispy fries that are topped with vegan mozzarella that’s melted until it’s ooey-gooey good. Then the whole thing is smothered with homemade brown “beefy” gravy. This is hot, crispy, gooey, cheesy, and indulgent.

Go ahead and treat yourself! Try one, two, or ALL of these recipes in celebration of National Cheese Lovers Day.

Lead image source: Hot n’ Bubbly Cauliflower Cheese

15 of the Cheesiest Dairy-Free Recipes Ever! (2024)

FAQs

What cheese is good for dairy free? ›

Hard cheeses such as cheddar, colby, Swiss, mozzarella and Monterey Jack “are virtually lactose-free,” Cifelli explains. Additionally aged cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano are virtually lactose free. At less than 1 mg lactose per 100 grams even the Italian Ministry of Health allows it to be labeled as such.

What can I use instead of cheese in mac and cheese? ›

Nutritional yeast is a popular ingredient that gives a cheesy flavor without the dairy. Cashew cream is another great alternative that can be used as a base for a creamy sauce. And, there are many non-dairy cheese alternatives on the market now that actually taste pretty darn good.

Can you live without cheese? ›

How do you live without cheese? If you are vegan-curious and a cheese lover, fear not! There are many plant-based alternatives that fill the role of cheese in meals. To pick the right option for any dish, think about what cheese brings to the party and use another food that would fill the same role.

What can I eat that doesn't have cheese? ›

Dairy-free foods to eat
  • Fruits and vegetables.
  • Meat & poultry.
  • Fish & seafood.
  • Eggs.
  • Nuts & seeds.
  • Soy products, such as tofu and tempeh.
  • Beans & legumes.
  • Whole grains, such as quinoa and couscous.

What cheese is OK but not milk? ›

There are actually two reasons why cheese is safe for the lactose intolerant: The process of cheesemaking converts lactose into lactic acid. Once a cheese is cultured, the curds (milk solids) are drained of their whey milk liquid). The whey is what contains the lactose.

What vegan cheese actually tastes like cheese? ›

Parmela Shreds

Parmela nailed it (don't ask us how). These cashew-based shreds not only taste like cheese, but they also melt perfectly. Varieties include Mild Cheddar, Sharp Cheddar, Mozzarella, and Fiery Jack.

Is Velveeta real cheese? ›

Though Velveeta is no longer an FDA-defined genuine cheese, it does have some similarities, namely pasteurized milk and cheese culture.

What does the S Mac stand for? ›

S'MAC (short for Sarita's Macaroni & Cheese) is an exciting eatery located in the heart of Manhattan's East Village.

What is a healthy alternative to cheddar cheese? ›

Swiss is a great lunch alternative to higher fat sandwich cheeses like provolone and cheddar. Chop up slices to use in a Cobb salad. Swiss is high in vitamin A and low in calories, fat and sodium. One ounce contains 112 calories, 9 g of fat and 53 mg of sodium.

What happens when you stop eating cheese? ›

In addition to some weight loss, you may notice that you're feeling less bloating once you start cutting out dairy. The reason for this has to do with how the body digests dairy. Statistically, most people have a hard time digesting dairy products like cheese, milk, and yogurt.

What happens to your body when you cut out cheese? ›

Diets low in dairy have been shown to lower inflammation . Inflammation may promote the growth of unhealthy gut bacteria linked to some chronic diseases or conditions including leaky gut. Inflammation-causing foods — when they cause problems in the digestive tract — can lead to diarrhea, headaches, and fatigue.

How do you make things taste good without cheese? ›

Soaked and pureed cashews are also a believable replacement for ricotta cheese. 8. Mushrooms: Umami -- that satisfying flavor that you get from things like meat and cheese -- is also found in mushrooms. So, add sautéed mushrooms to dishes that you'd typically add cheese to.

What crackers have no dairy in them? ›

Original Ritz Crackers

Ritz Crackers have been a classic American snack for generations, but they're also a favorite for those who need to avoid dairy! These flaky and delicious crackers are perfect for snacking on their own or creating tasty treats.

What can you replace cheese with in a recipe? ›

Tofu: Crumbled or blended tofu can be used as a replacement for cheese in recipes. Cashew cream: Cashews can be soaked and blended with water to make a creamy sauce that can be used as a cheese replacement. Hummus: Hummus can be spread on top of food as a cheese replacement. Avocado: mashed avocado can also be.

What cheese can you eat with a milk allergy? ›

Many non-dairy cheese products are suitable for milk allergy sufferers. Vegan cheese is growing in popularity, and is usually made from plant-based ingredients and nuts (such as cashews). Non-dairy cheeses offer different varieties, including cheddar, mozzarella, cream cheese and more.

Is mozzarella cheese dairy-free? ›

Fresh cheeses such as mozzarella have moderate amounts of lactose (25–30% of the amount in milk), so they are well tolerated by most lactose deficient people in modest amounts. older cheeses are virtually lactose-free and are tolerated by almost everyone, including the most extreme cases of lactose intolerance.

Is there any cheese that's non-dairy? ›

Non-dairy cheese is usually based on soya, coconut or almonds. Many brands will have a variety of flavours (for example, cheddar style or mozzarella style), so you can choose which is more appealing to you. There are different brands depending on where you live.

Is there a non-dairy cheese product? ›

Daiya's dairy-free cheese is a game-changer, melting flawlessly for that ooey-gooey satisfaction you love. Thanks to our Daiya Oat Cream™ blend, each bite is a creamy, dreamy delight. Who knew plant-based could taste this good and melt so right?

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