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Cheeseless Cooking with Glee

Cheese, while a delicious addition to many dishes, can be a major obstacle for those who are lactose intolerant or prefer a dairy-free diet. However, it's not necessary to sacrifice flavor and enjoyment in the name of culinary experimentation. In this article, we'll explore some tasty alternatives to traditional cheese-based recipes, perfect for those looking to cook with glee without the help of fromage.

Ditching the Dairy: 5 Delicious Cheeseless Cooking Recipes​

No-Cheese Quiche​

A classic breakfast dish gets a dairy-free makeover in this no-cheese quiche recipe. Simply swap out the shredded cheddar and mozzarella for some creamy hummus, then add your favorite vegetables and spices to create a filling that's anything but bland.

  • 1 9-inch pie crust
  • 1/2 cup hummus
  • 1 cup mixed veggies (such as bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms)
  • 2 eggs
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375°F. Fill the pie crust with the hummus mixture, then top with the veggie medley and bake for 30-40 minutes or until set.

Cheeseless Lasagna​

Who needs ricotta when you have mashed avocado? This cheeseless lasagna recipe uses a creamy blend of avocados and Greek yogurt to create a rich and satisfying sauce that's sure to please even the pickiest eaters.

  • 8 lasagna noodles
  • 1/2 cup mashed avocado
  • 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup marinara sauce
  • 1 cup roasted veggies (such as zucchini, eggplant, and red bell peppers)

Preheat oven to 375°F. Layer the lasagna noodles with the avocado-yogurt mixture and marinara sauce, finishing with a layer of roasted veggies on top.

No-Cheese Pizza​

Who says pizza can't be cheeseless? This no-cheese pizza recipe uses a tangy combination of olive tapenade and garlic to create a flavor that's anything but bland. Simply top your favorite crust with the tapenade mixture, then add some fresh basil leaves for a pop of color.

  • 1 pre-made pizza crust
  • 2 tbsp olive tapenade
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Preheat oven to 425°F. Spread the tapenade mixture over the crust, then sprinkle with garlic and top with some fresh basil leaves.

Cheeseless Stuffed Peppers​

A classic stuffed pepper recipe gets a dairy-free twist in this cheeseless version. Simply swap out the shredded mozzarella for some creamy hummus, then add your favorite spices to create a filling that's anything but bland.

  • 4 bell peppers
  • 1/2 cup hummus
  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375°F. Fill the bell peppers with the hummus mixture, then top with some cooked rice and black beans.

Cheeseless Mac 'n Cheese​

It's hard to imagine macaroni and cheese without the creamy cheese sauce, but this cheeseless version uses a delicious combination of almond milk and nutritional yeast to create a flavor that's anything but bland. Simply swap out the shredded cheddar for some grated carrot, then add your favorite spices to create a filling that's sure to please even the pickiest eaters.

  • 8 oz macaroni
  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 1/4 cup grated carrot
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook the macaroni according to package instructions, then mix with the almond milk mixture and top with some grated carrot.