This Parmesan Cheese Alternative is a delicious addition to anything you’d usually use parmesan for: pasta, pizza, sauces – you name it!
Since going vegan I sometimes miss having a bit of parm cheese to shake on pasta or pizza. I’ve been playing around with a few ingredients and I think I’ve come up with a nice alternative.
I had Matt try some of my Parmesan Cheese Alternative, and while I figured he’d like it, he actually started throwing it on everything. I separated the parm into 2 small jars and hid one in the back of the fridge so that Matt didn’t eat all of it before I got back home. Yes, I know it sounds bad to hide things from my husband but if you knew him, you’d hide some things too (otherwise you’d have nothing to eat).
I’d like to note that my vegan parmesan doesn’t taste *exactly* like it’s dairy counterpart but it does have a cheesy flavor which adds a nice touch to pasta, pizza, sandwiches – basically any way you’d use the dairy version – or if you’re like Matt, much more.
I’d recommend this vegan parmesan to anyone who is plant-based (obvs) but also those that have issues with cheese, like in lactose or casein intolerances. The difference between these is lactose is a sugar and casein is a protein in milk. People can have problems with either (as I have learned in my nutrition classes).
This non-dairy parm contains vitamin B12 from the nutritional yeast as well as provides good doses of protein and magnesium from the almonds and cashews.
Vegan Parmesan
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup of raw almonds
- 1/2 cup of raw cashews
- 1/4 cup of nutritional yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Pulse all ingredients together in a food processor until it becomes a parm like consistency.
You may also like:
Vegan Mac & Cheese
Buffalo Chicken Rice
Pistachio Pesto
Like my Vegan Parmesan recipe? It would be so wonderful if you could give it some love by sharing!
Cheese is the reason that I am not a vegan! Creative combo here I will have to try. Thanks so much for joining us for Meatless Monday today
I hear you Deborah! I was cheese obsessed all my life. It took me a while to get there but eventually I have either found or created tasty enough alternatives that I don’t miss diary cheese anymore.
What a fabulous alternative to parm! Can’t wait to share this with my mom so I can finally eat some of her parmesan laden recipes! 😉
Let me know what you think Annmarie! It doesn’t taste exactly like dairy parm but my husband and I are obsessed so it tastes good even if it’s not exactly the same lol.
Yum! What a good substitute! I have to admit, cheese is one of my great loves and is also why I am not vegan. I know I eat too much of it though, and appreciate a good sub every once in awhile!
I hear you Julie – that was the most difficult part of going vegan for me too. I actually had a cheese drawer to hoard all my cheese (I was really cheese obsessed). Let me know if you get a chance to try this sub. 🙂
Oh yum! i Have some nooch in the cabinets and am always looking for new ways to use it!!
Let me know if you try it Sam!
Oh genius! I have only used hemp seeds, garlic, and nutritional yeast as a topping. Can’t wait to give it a try. Thank you for linking up!
Thanks so much Sarah! Let me know if you like it!
I can totally relate to having to hide things from the husbands! I love nutritional yeast and use it any time I want a cheesy flavor without the “cheese”!
I’m glad I’m not the only one Carly! I felt a bit bad writing that I hide stuff from him but it’s the truth lol.
What a fantastic idea! You could probably just give this to me with a spoon!
lol, I’ve actually done that!
This looks wonderful, thanks! Hemp seeds blend into great vegan “parm”.
Ooh, I’ll have to try that next! I bet it’s great for those that can’t do this version because of nut allergies. Thanks Christine!
I made a mac & cheese – vegan style before… Without nuts – NUTRITIONAL YEAST is king!!
It sure is! I love nutritional yeast!
I always forget you can add yeast…looks yummy!
Thanks Lauren! I’m obsessed with it to add a little cheesy flavor.
Hahaha I have to hide food from my husband too…and the kids 😐 but it makes me happy that you’re husband enjoyed Veganuary and your vegan parmesan so much! This parmesan looks delicious, I’ll have to try it the next time we have a pasta dish 🙂
I feel bad hiding it from him but I have to do what I have to do lol! Let me know if you try the vegan parm Kyra!
I hide things from my husband too LOL! I’m so glad I’m not the only one 🙂
I actually hide things often and I sometimes feel a bit bad – but I need to or I wouldn’t have anything to eat lol! I’m glad I’m not the only one either.
Yum! This is what every vegan kitchen needs to kick things up a notch! Thank you for sharing your easy to make Vegan Parmesan recipe with us at the Healthy Happy Green Natural Party! I’m Pinning and sharing!
Thanks Deborah!! 🙂
1/4 what of nutritional yeast? cup?
Thanks!
Hi Barbara, yes it should say 1/4 of a cup. I’m surprised no one (including me) caught that before! Thanks for letting me know! I have updated the recipe.
I don’t feel at all guilty for hiding things from K: on Saturday, he managed to trough his way through most of the truffles I made… which I hadn’t had a chance to photograph. I had to make some more yesterday, and he now has strict instructions to not touch them until I’ve shot them.
Part of me is tempted to leave the photography until tomorrow or Wednesday… but that would be a bit cruel, wouldn’t it?
Muahahahahahaaa!
Is there an alternate nut for the raw almonds? I have a food allergy to them.
Hi Aileen, I’ve never tried another nut but pine nuts might work or maybe Brazil nuts.
If you do try another nut let me know how it out turns out and I can make a note in the directions. I’ll try something else soon too.