Making your own Vegan Parmesan Cheese is extremely easy and only requires 5 ingredients! It’s a delicious dairy-free alternative to traditional parmesan.
There’s no need to miss cheese when going plant-based. Believe me, I know it can seem impossible at first but if I can do it, you totally can (I was a previous cheese-a-holic and had my own cheese drawer in the fridge).
One of my favorite things to do is recreate some of my favorite cheeses so I can enjoy them again. I’ve already made Chipotle Queso, Port Wine Cheese, Tofu Feta, Vegan Mozzarella, and of course my creamy Cashew Mac & Cheese.
I’ve been making my Vegan Parmesan Cheese for years and wanted to share it with you because it’s so easy to make and perfect for topping pasta, vegetables, vegan pizza or anything else you’d use traditional parmesan cheese.
Healthy Easy to Make Dairy-Free Parmesan Alternative
I’d recommend this vegan parmesan to anyone who is plant-based but also those that have issues with cheese like those with lactose or casein allergies and intolerances.
The difference between these is lactose is a sugar and casein is a protein in milk. People can have problems with either (or both).
This non-dairy parm contains vitamin B12 from the nutritional yeast as well as provides good doses of protein as well as magnesium from the almonds and cashews.
Vegan Parmesan Cheese
I can’t really say enough about this vegan parmesan cheese. It’s really tasty, takes about 5 minutes to make, and only uses 5 ingredients.
I make a double batch probably once a month and give half to my husband and save half for myself. I actually hide mine in the back of the fridge (don’t tell him).
You might be wondering why we split it, well it’s because my husband throws this on just everything and uses his batch in about a week. 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).
If you make this Vegan Parmesan Cheese recipe, let me know what you think by ★ star rating it and leaving a comment below.
Share your pictures of any of my recipes on Instagram and use #vnutrition or tag @v.nutrition so I won’t miss it!
Vegan Parmesan
Making your own Vegan Parmesan Cheese is extremely easy and only requires 5 ingredients! It's a delicious dairy-free alternative to traditional parmesan.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raw almonds
- 1/2 cup raw cashews
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
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Pulse all ingredients together in a food processor until it becomes a parm like consistency.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition info is for 1 tsp.
You may also like:
Creamy Cashew Mac & Cheese
Buffalo Chicken Rice
Chipotle Queso
Mary Ellen Valverde MS, CNS, LDN is a Licensed Nutritionist and Certified Nutrition Specialist who helps clients regain their energy, confidence and health by adapting and enjoying a plant-based diet. By uniting her functional nutrition education with her passion for plants and mindfulness, Mary Ellen offers a completely holistic and science-based approach to designing a healthy, plant-based life. When she’s not reading up on the latest nutrition research, you can find Mary Ellen doting on her two rescue shih tzus, creating the perfect vegan mac & cheese, or exploring the world with her husband.
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.
Everyone should try this it is amazingly tasty I keep going back for more even when the meal is over. Well done on this recipe we loved it.
I’m so glad you liked it, Leslie! I have always have this in the fridge and basically, put it on everything! 🙂
I love all your recipes! Big fan in Brazil! xxx
Alessandra, thank you so much! I’m so happy you’ve been enjoying the recipes! Your comment made my week! 🙂