Remember when people thought that living dairy-free meant giving up cheese? Not anymore! There are so many ways to enjoy dairy-free cheese, it’s absolutely incredible. We can buy vegan cheeses that spread, slice, grate, and most importantly, melt. Check out Vegan Cheeses are Better Than Ever: Try These 11 Brands to see which are the best vegan cheeses on the market. It’s also easy to make your own dairy-free cheese at home. You don’t need any complicated equipment or ingredients to do it either. Take a look at these 20 Amazing Vegan Cheeses You Can Make at Home.

But what if you’re not sure which vegan cheese recipe is right for the dish you’re planning to make? We can help with that as well. Some cheeses are better for spreading on crackers while others are perfect for pizza. One dairy-free cheese recipe might be the one that’s best for grating on top of pasta while another will make the creamiest mac and cheese you ever tasted.

We are going to take all the guesswork out of making amazing cheesy recipes by showing you which cheese recipes work best for which dishes. Then all you have left to do is make them and eat them. Easy-cheesy!

1. Life Changing Cheese Sauce

Need a delicious cheese sauce to pour over vegetables? Make one with vegetables! This Life Changing Cheese Sauce is made with potatoes and carrots plus mustard, non-dairy milk and other ingredients you already have in your kitchen. It’s super easy and super cheesy! Your broccoli has never been so happy!

2. Creamy and Cheesy Nut-Free Chickpea Fondue

It’s party time, and you need a thick, rich fondue for fun dipping. This Creamy and Cheesy Nut-Free Chickpea Fondue is exactly what you need. It’s dairy-free and nut-free so everyone can enjoy it. Just whip it up in a blender and you’re all set to start dipping veggies, bread, pretzels, and even chocolate.

3. Brazil Nut Vegan Parmesan

For some of us, pasta just isn’t the same without grated parmesan snowing down over it. That’s when this Brazil Nut Vegan Parmesan saves the day. Brazil nuts are healthy and delicious. It only takes three ingredients to make this super easy parmesan that is perfect for pasta, pizza, and salads.

4. Spreadable Almond Cheese 3 Ways

When you want to put out a variety of cheeses for crackers or crudités, all you need is this one recipe. This Spreadable Almond Cheese 3 Ways is one basic batch of spreadable almond cheese that can be flavored in endless ways – savory, sweet, spicy, whatever you like. This recipe shows you how to make pesto, green onion, and garlic flavors.

5. Garlic Herb Avocado Cashew Cream Cheese

Bagels have to have cream cheese. It’s probably a law and if it’s not, it should be. This Garlic Herb Avocado Cashew Cream Cheese is here to save your bagel’s day. It combines thick cashew cream with avocados to make a luxurious, spreadable cream cheese flavored with garlic and herbs. You can use the base and make your favorite flavor like walnut agave, olive or strawberry.

6. Creamy Chia Cheddar Sauce

When you’re craving mac and cheese, step away from the box. This Creamy Chia Cheddar Sauce is going to help make the mac and cheese of your dreams. Made with potatoes, carrots, and cashews, this sauce is perfect for coating pasta though you could use it for nachos, pour it over veggies or a baked potato or just eat it with a spoon.

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7. Cheesy Kabocha Squash Pizza Sauce

If you’re bored with the same old pizza sauce, try kicking things up a notch with this Cheesy Kabocha Squash Pizza Sauce. Made with squash, this sauce is creamy, cheesy, and garlicky. Slather it all over your pizza dough and add your favorite toppings for a pizza that will be anything but boring.

8.  Coconut Pistachio Cashew Cheese Panini With Cranberry Jam

It’s time for a grown-up version of the usual grilled cheese. This Coconut Pistachio Cashew Cheese Panini with Cranberry Jam is a warm, sweet, and savory sandwich that you will never forget. Made with fresh cranberry sauce, coconut aioli, and a homemade cashew cheese with pistachios, this sandwich is a mouthful of flavors and textures for your adult palate.

9. #5under5: Black Sesame Pretzel-Crusted Cheddar Cheese Ball

When you need to bring a dish to an office party or you’re visiting someone for dinner and want to bring something other than a bottle of wine, bring this Black Sesame Pretzel-Crusted Cheddar Cheese Ball. Black sesame seeds contrast beautifully with the sharp orange cheddar, and the taste is tangy, creamy, and cheesy. This cheese ball, that only takes five ingredients and costs less than five dollars to make, will definitely be the centerpiece of any table.

10. Tofu Feta Cheese

What’s a Greek salad without feta cheese crumbled on top? It’s sad, that’s what. So make this Tofu Feta Cheese that uses miso and nutritional yeast to give the tofu that signature salty taste of feta. Add this cheese to your salads, pizza or even with fruit for a sweet and savory dessert.

11. Sliceable Zucchini Cheese and Spreadable Tomato Nacho Cheese

Here are two recipes for the price of one (which is free) – Sliceable Zucchini Cheese and Spreadable Tomato Nacho Cheese. First, the pretty pale green zucchini cheese is sliceable and delicious. It’s perfect for crackers or sandwiches. Then, we have the orange nacho cheese which is creamy and zesty. Use this one for nachos, spicy mac, and cheese or as a dip for veggies. What a deal!

12. Blue Cheez Dressing

So you just whipped up a huge platter of Buffalo cauliflower and now you need something to dip them in. This Blue Cheez Dressing is exactly what you need. Made with tofu and cashews, this dressing is rich, creamy, and delicious. Use it to tame the Buffalo sauce, put in on a salad or spread it on a burger instead of ketchup.

13. Cashew ‘Ricotta’ and Sage Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

There are so many dishes that need ricotta – lasagna, stuffed shells, manicotti, baked zitim and even sweet desserts like cannoli. This Cashew Ricotta and Sage Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms has a homemade cashew ricotta that is perfect for any and all of these dishes. Or use it to stuff mushrooms, big and small, as in the recipe for a delicious appetizer or entrée.

14. Margherita Pizza With Fresh Basil Pesto and Mozzarella

There’s nothing like mozzarella cheese and this Margherita Pizza recipe just happens to come with a recipe for homemade, cashew-based vegan mozzarella. Use it for the pizza and also lasagna, sandwiches, salads or anywhere you want that salty, stretchy, creamy goodness that is Italian cheese.

15. Spinach and Mushroom Alfredo Lasagna

When you want a pasta sauce that is cheesy, rich and comforting, go for Alfredo sauce. This Spinach and Mushroom Alfredo Lasagna has a simple, creamy Alfredo sauce that is smooth, luxurious and just so, so good. Toss your fettuccine in it or enjoy this amazing lasagna, with spinach, mushrooms, and fresh tomatoes.

No matter what dish you want to make, there’s a dairy-free cheese that’s perfect for it. These are just a small selection of all the incredible vegan cheese recipes we have on One Green Planet. You may just have to try them all.

Lead image source: Sliceable Zucchini Cheese and Spreadable Tomato Nacho Cheese