7 Recipes Made with Vegan Cheese

vegan pizzaAs a vegan blogger, the number one question I get asked is about how one goes about kicking their dairy habit. The most notable dairy-delicious food items: ice cream and cheese. As a former cheese addict, I know what it means to love, adore, and crave cheese. On any shopping trip, you could find me hovering in the cheese section - sniffing creamy cuts of brie and robust pepperjack - a blissful look on my face. My favorite foods involved cheese. Grilled cheese, cheese pizza, cheese and crackers - and don't get me started on my love of ricotta and Mozzarella laced lasagna.

But eventually I conquered my dairy habit. Dairy cheese actually turns me off now! Today, vegan cheese is something I lust for, swoon over and crave. And it is all thanks to some amazing vegan alternatives to classic dairy cheese. Here are my 7 favorite recipes made with vegan cheese:

1. Vegan Cheese Pizza
Vegan pizza has become very popular in the past few years. This broccoli cheese vegan pizza contains Daiya Mozzarella flavor and Follow Your Heart Cheddar.

Related: 10 ways to make your favorite recipes healthier

Ingredients:
1 ball of whole wheat pizza dough
olive oil for rubbing

Broccoli florets mixture:
1 3/4 cups broccoli florets
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
2-3 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp mixed green Italian herbs, dried or fresh
pinch of salt

3/4 cup mixed vegan cheese shreds (white/orange)
*add more or less cheese to suit your tastes

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 415 degrees.

2. Toss your broccoli florets in the florets mixture ingredients. Set aside.

3. Roll out your pizza dough. Rub olive oil on all sides so that the dough doesn't stick to whatever pizza pan you use. I used a basic medium baking sheet - rubbed with olive oil.

4. Spread you dough over your pan. Start adding the florets right to the dough - until the dough is covered in broccoli.

5. Add your cheese shreds until covered.

6. Bake your pizza at 415 for 20-25 minutes. When your dough begins to brown and is cooked though your pizza is done. Allow to cool a minute or two before serving.

Related: The 25 healthiest foods under $1


Vegan Cheese Panini
2. Diaya Pepper-jack Panini
Yes! Melty, luscious, dairy-free cheese is possible and delicious ... especially in this spicy, pepper-jack panini!
Make Diaya pepper-jack paninis


mac and cheese
3. Fake-out Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is a classic favorite in any household. Try this vegan cheese-infused pasta and fake them all out by how delicious this vegan dish tastes and looks!
Make fake-out mac and cheese


tofu feta
4. Tofu Feta Cheese Cubes
If fine feta cheese is your craving, try this homemade marinated tofu that resembles those sassy little blocks of feta - perfect for topping salads with.
Make tofu feta cheese cubes


Related: 12 simple secrets for healthier eating this year


scramble
5. Cheese on Tofu Scramble
So remember, you can try vegan cheese on your recipes all day long. Even on this savory breakfast tofu scramble. Give vegan cheese a try in your favorite recipes.
Make cheese on tofu scramble


panini
6. Black and White Panini
I hope you are inspired to give vegan cheese a try - vegan paninis all around!
Make black and white paninis


cashew
7. Homemade Cashew Ricotta Cheese
Cashews can be made into a creamy, well-textured ricotta alternative. Super in vegan lasagna or scooped over top salads.
Make homemade cashew ricotta cheese

For 11 more ways to cook with vegan cheese, visit Babble

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