28 Vegan Recipes That Any Cheese Lover Would Adore (2024)

Lifestyle

By Natalie Schulte at Florida State University

Let me just start this off by saying that I am not vegan. In fact, I don’t follow any particular food lifestyle. I just eat what I want, in moderation of course, but cheese is a food that I love so much I would marry it. Come on, don’t tell me that you wouldn’t do the same.

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve come across a few recipes for dairy-free versions of some of my most beloved cheesy dishes (AKA mac and cheese). Over winter break, I tried a vegan mac and cheese that used a cashew sauce instead of cheese sauce in order to exclude the dairy. It was one of the best versions of mac and cheese that I’ve ever tried and I’ve been searching for a recipe I can use to duplicate it ever since.

Even though I’m not vegan, I would still eat every single one of the dishes on this list because they all look and sound amazing. Vegans and non-vegans alike should be trying out these 28 insanely good looking cheesy dishes that don’t actually contain any real cheese.

1. Broccoli Cheese Soup

Photo courtesy of pancake warriors.com

For all the vegans who miss ordering broccoli cheddar soup at Panera.

2. Pepperoni Pizza

Photo courtesy of contentednesscooking.com

Replacing pepperoni with zucchini is just brilliant.

3. Buffalo Mac and Cheese Balls

Photo courtesy of keepingitkind.com

Oh. My. God. These are perfect.

4. French Onion Soup

Photo courtesy of blissfulbasil.com

This recipe even shows you how to make homemade vegan mozzarella so you can be a pro chef.

5. Vegan Avocado Pesto Sauce

Photo courtesy of Mulin Xiong at Dartmouth College

Creamier and healthier than any pesto you could buy at the store.

6. Hash Brown Casserole

Photo courtesy of blog.fatfreevegan.com

Brunch just became vegan friendly.

7. Mozzarella Sticks

Photo courtesy of veganricha.com

Who knew this was even possible.

8. Thai Pizza

Photo courtesy of createmindfully.com

Thai food meets pizza meets vegan.

9. Alfredo Pasta

Photo courtesy of minimalistbaker.com

Cheese, cheese, and more cheese.

10. Spinach Artichoke Dip

Photo courtesy of yupitsvegan.com

This classic appetizer goes vegan.

11. Pesto Parmesan Breadsticks

Photo courtesy of minimalistbaker.com

No need for takeout, now you can make your own breadsticks vegan style at home.

12. Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Photo courtesy of veganinsanity.com

For the vegans who are constantly craving a goodbowl of mac.

13. Lime and Vanilla Cheesecake

Photo courtesy of quitegoodfood.co.nz

Cheese isn’t just limited to savory dishes.

14. Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Photo courtesy of connoiseurusveg.com

A comfort food classic now made for vegans to enjoy.

15. Cream Cheese and Veggie Sushi

Photo courtesy of connoisseurusveg.com

If you’re up for a bit of a challenge, try making your own vegan sushi.

16. Scalloped Potatoes

Photo courtesy of blog.fatfreevegan.com

These scalloped potatoes are made with chickpea cheese to bring a vegan touch to this favorite home cooked meal.

17. Pizza Pocket

Photo courtesy of whereyougetyourprotein.com

Fill these pizza pockets with as many veggies as you’d like and cashew parmesan cheese to make a vegan style calzone.

18. Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese

Photo by Natalie Beam at University of Virginia

This recipe for vegan mac and cheese is inspired by Chloe’s Vegan Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese in New York City.

19. Jalapeno Popper Herb Grilled Cheese

Photo courtesy of vegetariangastronomy.com

The jalapeños give this vegan grilled cheese a spicy kick that will definitely delight your taste buds.

20. Lasagna with Mushrooms

Photo courtesy of gourmandelle.com

An Italian favorite gone vegan.

21. Cashew Cream Cheese

Photo courtesy of yupitsvegan.com

This cashew cream cheese recipe only requires 2 ingredients. How easy?

22. Sweet Potato and Bean Quesadillas

Photo courtesy of theprettybee.com

Make your own version of Mexican quesadillas by following this vegan recipe.

23. Parmesan Cheese

Photo by Kristine Mahan at Boston University

Learn how to make your own vegan parmesan cheese to top on pasta, pizza, or salad.

24. Nachos

Photo courtesy of minimalistbaker.com

Bring these vegan nachos to your next party to spice things up.

25. Butternut Squash and Spinach Lasagna

Photo courtesy of veggiecravings.com

Another lasagna recipe perfect for vegans who miss chowing down on all of their favorite Italian dishes.

26. Cream Cheese Frosting

Photo courtesy of texanerin.com

Use this vegan cream cheese frosting on any dessert to give it a sweet, creamy texture.

27. Black Bean Enchiladas

Photo courtesy of tastykitchen.com

Have all your friends over for these vegan black bean enchiladas that everyone will love.

28. Pesto Cashew Ricotta Pizza

Photo courtesy of kblog.lunchboxbunch.com

A pesto pizza that is perfect for both vegans and non-vegans.

Here are some non-cheesy vegan recipes that are sure to be just as tasty:

  • Vegan Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
  • Vegan Avocado Mango Smoothie
  • The Secret Ingredient to Mastering the Vegan Waffle Game
28 Vegan Recipes That Any Cheese Lover Would Adore (2024)

FAQs

What do vegans eat for cheese? ›

Vegan cheeses are 100% animal-free and made using vegetable proteins. Usually, they're made from soy; nuts, such as cashews and macadamias; and vegetable oils, such as coconut oil. You can also find cheeses that derive from agar, tapioca, peas and arrowroot.

Can vegans eat cheese pizza? ›

Here's our guide to how to enjoy pizza while changing your diet. Now if you're a vegetarian, you can still enjoy cheese on your pie. A classic cheese is always a crowd pleaser for those just eliminating meat from their diet. Vegans, however, do not consume dairy products of any kind, meaning no dairy cheese.

What is vegan halloumi? ›

Luckily, imitating the flavour and taste of genuine halloumi is a relatively simple process, with a majority of vegan halloumi recipes out there utilising tofu as the main ingredient.

What do vegans use instead of cheese? ›

SAY CHEESE- 10 VEGAN SUBSTITUTES TO SATISFY YOUR CHEESE CRAVINGS”
  • Cashew Cream Cheese: Creamy Dream Come True. ...
  • Nutritional Yeast: The Cheesy Secret. ...
  • Tofu Ricotta: ...
  • Tahini – ...
  • Roasted salted almonds – ...
  • Hummus – ...
  • Peanut Butter or Sunflower Butter. ...
  • Avocado –
Oct 20, 2023

Can vegans eat peanut butter? ›

Most types of peanut butter are free of animal products and can be enjoyed as part of a vegan diet. However, some varieties are made in facilities that also process animal products or contain refined sugar that was produced using bone char or non-vegan ingredients like honey or fish oil.

Can vegans eat pasta? ›

Most packaged pasta—including spaghetti, penne, and more—is vegan. It's worth checking the label to be sure, as some pasta contains eggs, but most of the pasta you see on the supermarket shelves is 100% vegan!

Can vegan eat ice cream? ›

Commercially-produced vegan ice creams are made from soy, almond, cashew, coconut, or rice milk. These products deliver all of the delicious flavor and creaminess of ice cream without harming a single cow. Most supermarkets carry several varieties. And a good natural foods store will stock numerous brands.

What cheese can vegans not eat? ›

Vegans do not eat cheese or any other dairy products because they are derived from animals. Dairy products involve the exploitation of animals for their milk, and so cheese made from animal milk is not considered part of a vegan diet. this includes cheeses made from sheep and goat's milk.

Is hummus vegan friendly? ›

Hummus is a vegan staple that allows you to have some versatility in your diet. It's an immensely popular food amongst vegans so you may have found a new favourite yourself. It's available in a wide range of flavours and is very versatile in the kitchen so you can experiment with it if you wish to.

Is feta vegan? ›

The answer here is a pretty straightforward no. As feta cheese is made from the milk of sheep and sometimes goats it isn't suitable for anyone on a fully plant-based diet. Vegans will not only abstain from eating meat, but also all animal products or other foods that are made with the use of byproducts too.

Is tofu a vegan food? ›

As this process contains no animal byproducts, neither does tofu, meaning tofu itself completely vegan. Tofu has very little flavor on its own but acts as a great carrier for flavors so it works as a versatile addition to or meat substitution for many great vegan meals.

Can vegans eat butter? ›

Traditional butter is made with churned milk or cream, which usually comes from cows (but it can also come from other animals like goats), and that's why it's not vegan. Many people also use margarine, which is similar to butter in texture and color, but it's usually made with plant-based fat instead of animal fat.

Do vegans eat eggs? ›

A vegan diet includes only plant foods—fruits, vegetables, beans, grains, nuts, and seeds. People who follow a vegan diet don't eat any animal foods, including dairy, eggs, and honey. About 3% of Americans follow a vegan diet.

Is it vegan if it says may contain? ›

In the UK and the US, businesses voluntarily provide a warning that cross-contamination with allergens could unintentionally have occurred during manufacturing. Cross-contamination can happen if a variety of food products are manufactured in the same place. So foods that “may contain milk” (or egg) can still be vegan.

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