Creamy and dairy-free recipes? How ironic is it to hear the word creamy in a recipe without any cheese or cream to make it that way? Although our minds may lead to those types of foods when we think of the word creamy, it is possible. You can make many recipes creamy without dairy and dare I say it may even be better!
If you have a dairy allergy, have vegan friends or are looking to try something new you have landed in the right place. We have found 20 creamy delicious recipes that you’ll want to get your hands on. We will cover everything from creamy plates of pasta, to creamy cheese substitutes and even creamy desserts.
Creamy alfredo sauce served with pasta is a comfort food dream. What if we told you that you too can achieve the same creaminess you love about alfredo sauce but without all the dairy? Well, this recipe proves you can and here at Forkly we got you covered.
This recipe get’s it creamy sauce from dairy-free milk, pumpkin puree with a dash of nutritional yeast. If you don’t know by now, nutritional yeast has a cheesy and nutty flavor that makes a perfect dupe for a cheesy flavor. Serve this creamy sauce with brown rice pasta and you’ll have a dairy-free and gluten-free meal ready to eat in no time.
http://www.forkly.com/recipes/creamy-dairy-free-pumpkin-alfredo/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: FORKLY
If you’re looking for bright, light and beautiful dessert to enjoy with friends and family then you’ll want to give this recipe a try. It is completely dairy-free as the lemon filling is made from creamy and blended cashews. It is then nicely complimented by an almond flour savory crust. Every bite is sweet and tart, the perfect balance.
This recipe is fairly easy and can even be stored in the fridge for several days. This makes it a great dessert to make ahead of time if you don’t want to be rushing the day you’ll need it. Top off this savory dessert with coconut whipping cream. The cream is made from two simple ingredients, full-fat coconut milk, and maple syrup. Make this lemon tart and watch everyone will be surprised that it contains not a single drop of dairy.
https://well-fedsoul.com/vegan-lemon-tart-coconut-whipped-cream/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=tailwind_tribes&utm_content=tribes&utm_term=322929476_9668070_345213 PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: WELL FED SOUL
Your initial thought may have been doubtful that we could make a macaroni and cheese dish dairy-free. How can you have mac and cheese without the cheese, right? Well, we are going to blow your mind with this recipe because it is, in fact, dairy free but without sacrificing the classic flavor.
This vegan mac and cheese has no dairy and is vegan-friendly. It is kid and adult approved and that’s a big win if you struggle with making multiple meals to please multiple picky eaters at your dinner table. This recipe has two secret ingredients when it comes to making it taste like cheesy mac. These include butternut squash (yes we did just say that) and nutritional yeast (as we discovered above has a cheesy flavor). The two combined with perfect seasonings and coconut milk make the perfect dairy-free macaroni and cheese recipe dupe, you won’t want to go back!
http://www.forkly.com/recipes/kids-adult-friendly-vegan-mac-cheese/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: FORKLY
Are you as obsessed with avocados as much as I am? Who isn’t these days, right? Even if you don’t love avocados you’re bound to love this recipe too. Avocados barely have any flavor especially when mixed into dips but best of all avocados provide tons of nutritional value like healthy fats while providing an excellent creamy base for a dip.
Dips make great snacking choices for the hot months or really any time of the year. You can make this spinach dip as simple or complicated as you want. Enjoy the dip on its own or make your own homemade salsa also included as an option in this recipe if you want to give your dip extra texture and even more flavor. Serve with crackers or chips and watch this dip vanish in no time.
https://www.sweetashoney.co/spinach-avocado-dip-recipe-vegan/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: SWEET AS HONEY
A lot of ice creams brands have added sugars and artificial flavorings to enhance the overall flavor. This creamy mango ice cream recipe contains no dairy at all but still has the creamy consistency we love about ice cream. Furthermore, when you make this recipe you will have the satisfaction of knowing exactly what ingredients went into making it and can feel good about giving it to your whole family too.
This recipe contains three simple ingredients and zero artificial flavorings or refined sugars. The mangoes and bananas give the ice cream the fruity flavor and the dates in this recipe naturally sweeten the ice cream. The best part is you don’t need any special tools to churn the ice cream because you can make it right in your blender. Enjoy this creamy and dairy-free ice cream for your next dessert.
https://www.knowyourproduce.com/creamy-mango-ice-cream-recipe/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: KNOW YOUR PRODUCE
Did you know it was possible to have cream cheese while being dairy-free? Well, we are here to show you that you indeed can. This recipe is really easy and only takes five minutes to make. If you’re wary of having a lot of soy products while looking for dairy-free options no need to worry either as this cream cheese recipe is made soy-free as well.
This cream cheese can be stored in the fridge for up to one week which makes it a great recipe to whip up on the weekend and enjoy all week long. The secret ingredient in this recipe is cashews. All you have to do is combine the 6 simple ingredients into a food processor and you’ll have a rich, creamy and dairy-free cream cheese in no time at all. The combinations of the ingredients in this recipe with the cashews give it a nutty and cheesy flavor making it taste familiar and maybe better than original cream cheese.
https://paleoglutenfree.com/recipes/dairy-free-paleo-cream-cheese-recipe/ PHOTO AND RECIPE HERE: PALEO GLUTEN FREE EATS
There is something about pasta dinners that are so comforting. It probably has to do with all the carbs that give us a warm and fuzzy feeling. This recipe is bound to satisfy just that. This recipe is very easy because it only takes one pot to make (thank you easy cleanup!) and is ready to serve in 35 minutes. Keep in mind only 5 of those minutes is prep time so the means most of the time is just spent supervising the dish.
The creamy garlic sauce is a melt-in-your-mouth kind of sauce. It is made from non-dairy milk, vegetable broth, and minced garlic. Considering that this recipe is dairy free and nut free, you can send it to school for lunches and not have to worry about any allergies. Season the dish with dried oregano and add some heat with red pepper flakes.
https://yupitsvegan.com/vegan-one-pot-creamy-garlic-pasta/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: YUP ITS VEGAN
Stuffed shells are often filled with a cream cheese filling but that won’t pass on this list. We have found a savory vegan stuffed jumbo shell recipe. You’ll get all the same creamy texture you love without sacrificing any flavor. This recipe is also filled with healthy fats that you can feel good about serving to your whole family.
These shells are kid approved and will please your pickiest eaters. These shells sit on a bed of marinara sauce and then is sprinkled with the same marinara sauce on top. This sauce compliments the shell’s nicely with its sweet and savory flavors from the tomatoes.
https://www.noracooks.com/vegan-stuffed-jumbo-shells/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: NORA COOKS
Creamy fudgcicles used to be my weakness, especially on a hot day. It was the perfect snack to cool off with all the while craving my chocolate craving. However, almost all store bought fudgcicles contain dairy. What if we told you that you can make these at home and achieve the same creamy texture without any dairy while maintaining the same sweetness and flavor you love? This recipe proves that you can do just that!
The secret ingredient in this recipe that gives these fudgcicles it’s creamy texture is avocados. Now don’t worry your kids won’t even notice there are healthy foods in them and avocados have next to no flavor, it is all for texture! Following, they also get a creamy texture from coconut milk and then are sweetened with 100% pure maple syrup. Full of wholesome ingredients your kids and yourself will love these treats and no one will notice they’re healthy.
https://www.theroastedroot.net/dairy-free-avocado-fudgesicles-vegan-paleo/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: THE ROASTED ROOT
These delicious coffee cream bars are allergy friendly because they’re dairy-free and nut-free and even gluten-free, all the more people you can serve them to! The filling is similar to an ice cream texture with a savory and crunchy crust that is made up of pumpkin seeds.
You may want to save this recipe for adult dessert only as it does contain coffee, perfect for date night or a night in with your friends. You will find zero refined sugars in this recipe as it is sweetened naturally from dates. These cream bars will crave your sweet tooth without any guilt.
http://petiteallergytreats.com/vegan-raw-espresso-coffee-cream-bars-dairy-free/?utm_content=bufferfd69b&utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest.com&utm_campaign=buffer PHOTOS AN RECIPE HERE: PETITE ALLERGY TREATS
I was never a huge fan of cottage cheese except when it was in recipes like lasagna. Although, I do remember growing up my dad loved cottage cheese so much he used to eat it right out of the container! If that’s you you’ll want to try out this dairy-free option.
Whether you choose to use it in cooking or choose to eat it by the spoonful we won’t judge. Vegan cottage cheese has been proven a difficult food item to buy premade at the grocery store and a lot of recipes online contain complicated lists of ingredients. Rest assured this recipe is easy and you will be familiar with the ingredients requested for this recipe. The nutritional yeast in this recipe gives it the cheesy flavor while broken up tofu provides the texture we are familiar with cottage cheese. I don’t know about you but I will be making dairy-free lasagna tonight!
https://itdoesnttastelikechicken.com/quick-easy-vegan-cottage-cheese/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: IT DOESN’T TASTE LIKE CHICKEN
This vegan chocolate pudding is so rich and creamy you and whoever is eating it won’t even notice it is dairy-free. It is also healthy because it doesn’t require any refined sugar.
This easy recipe only needs four ingredients and takes seven minutes from start to finish. The pudding has a creamy texture from coconut cream and is sweetened with pure maple syrup. To top off this delightful dessert add a dollop of coconut whip cream.
https://www.paleorunningmomma.com/easy-paleo-vegan-chocolate-pudding/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: PALEO RUNNING MOMMA
If you love cream of mushroom soup you don’t have to miss out while following a dairy-free diet. Traditionally cream of mushroom soup is made from cream or milk and then is added with mushrooms and mushroom stock. This recipe contains no dairy while maintaining the same texture and flavor you love about the cream of mushroom soup.
Whether you like to eat cream of mushroom soup on its own or love adding it to baked dishes like casseroles you’ll want to try out this recipe. This recipe uses chickpea flour instead of all-purpose flour which also makes it gluten-free. It doesn’t require any expensive vegan ingredients and is also low in sodium and will make you never miss your canned soup again.
https://thekitchengirl.com/i-cant-believe-its-vegan-cream-of-mushroom-soup/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=tailwind_tribes&utm_content=tribes PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: THE KITCHEN GIRL
This creamy avocado pesto pasta is full of nutrients like healthy fats from the avocados. You also get a good serving of vegetables from the zoodles (zuchinni noodles). Zucchinis are an excellent source of manganese and vitamin C as well as good source of dietary fiber. This dish is loaded with nutrition, creamy and ultimately satisfying.
The second best part of this recipe besides the way it tastes is that it only takes 15 minutes to make. That’s a perfect dinner for busy nights. Considering you’re using zucchini noodles you don’t need to boil them like ordinary pasta. You simply need to toss them in a light drizzling of olive oil and cook them on medium heat only for a couple minutes. The sauce is made completely in a food processor and then is mixed into the zoodles. Make sure to opt out of the parmesan sprinkles on top to keep this meal dairy-free. As a cheesy sprinkling alternative considering scattering nutritional yeast on top instead.
https://www.liveeatlearn.com/zucchini-pasta-with-creamy-avocado-pesto/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: LIVE EAT LEARN
This healthy chocolate and mint raw cheesecake bites are gluten, dairy, egg, refined sugar and soy free. All the more reason to make these desserts for your next dinner hosting, you’ll be able to serve these to almost everyone. They have a very similar texture to traditional cheesecake but with all new flavorings.
The mint filling is very rich and creamy and is complemented by the melt-in-your-mouth raw chocolate cups. The mint filling is made from cashew cream and is sweetened with pure maple syrup. It get’s the mint flavor from fresh mint leaves. It also gets an extra green color from spirulina and wheat grass powder both excellent power foods. These decadent desserts are full of nutrition you could even dare to have them for breakfast. Dessert for breakfast, I’ll accept that any day.
http://theloopywhisk.com/2017/04/11/chocolate-mint-raw-vegan-cheesecake-bites/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: THE LOOPY WHISK
It is commonly known that Caesar dressing isn’t suitable for a vegan diet from its dairy content it also isn’t suitable because of another ingredient. Call me nieve but I did not know one of the major ingredients that give caesar dressing’s unique flavor is anchovies (fish), another reason it’s just not suitable for a vegan diet. You can imagine my excitement when I found out that there is such thing as a creamy vegan caesar dressing. Experimenting with a plant-based vegan diet might take a little more effort than picking up a bottle at the grocery store but it’s much more satisfying making your own, in my opinion!
Whether you’re vegan or just following a dairy-free diet you’ll want to get your hands on this recipe. It’s so good you no longer need to miss out on a delicious salad staple like caesar salad. This recipe is easy and is all made in a blender. Simply pour all ingredients into the blender and blend until it is the creamy consistency of a salad dressing. The only effort required is soaking cashews overnight but even that is an easy step. Sprinkle nutritional yeast on your salad as a parmesan replacement for an even more authentic caesar salad.
https://www.karissasvegankitchen.com/vegan-caesar-salad-dressing/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: KARISSA’S VEGAN KITCHEN
Who knew that hummus could serve a greater purpose than something you dip your veggies and bread into or as a sandwich spread. This recipe proves you can use hummus for so much more. This quick and easy recipe is ready in only 20 minutes, another great recipe for busy nights.
The hummus helps gives this pasta dish a creamy texture without making you feel too heavy afterward. It is nicely seasoned with garlic and salt and pepper to taste. It also has a savory flavor from sundried tomatoes and includes spinach for extra nutrition. Another great pasta dish to make for family dinners.
https://www.thissavoryvegan.com/one-pot-creamy-hummus-pasta/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: THIS SAVORY VEGAN
This nacho cheese will blow your mind. I have made this on several occasions and it turned out perfect each time. It blew my mind away because it had the same consistency of nacho cheese and had the guilty-pleasure flavor of theater nachos and cheese but without all the guilt and processed ingredients.
This recipe is made from wholesome ingredients and it actually full of nutrition. The base of this recipe is actually made from boiled potatoes and carrots. The key thing here is to make sure you don’t boil them for more than required because if your potatoes become too starchy the cheese won’t turn out creamy it could be more chunky. It’s has a cheesy flavor from nutritional yeast and is perfectly seasoned with garlic and onion powder. The secret ingredient in here that gives this nacho cheese the perfect but not overpowering kick is jalapenos and jalapeno pickle juice. Don’t knock it until you try it, trust me you’ll be impressed too.
https://www.hotforfoodblog.com/recipes/2015/1/22/nacho-cheese PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: HOT FOR FOOD
A lot of creamy soups you buy canned at the grocery store or that are served at restaurants have a creamy texture from heavy cream or some sort of modified milk ingredients. However, this recipe shows you that you can achieve the same creamy texture that we love about some savory soups but without any dairy at all.
This sweet potato soup has hints of Thai flavor and just the right amount of spice to keep you interested. You get the perfect balance of spicy and sweet flavors from the sweet potatoes and carrots to fresh ginger, sriracha, and coconut. This recipe also makes awesome leftovers so consider doubling your recipe so you can have lunches all week.
https://reciperunner.com/thai-sweet-potato-carrot-soup/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: RECIPE RUNNER
There is something about creamy potato salad that makes me think of summer potlucks and family reunions. That is probably because every family gathering was a picnic of some sort and had staples like this. This dish provides a bit of nostalgia for myself but I also love it because of its creamy texture and delicious flavors.
When I started experimenting with plant-based foods I was generally concerned about missing out on some of my favorites like potato salad. Alas, here you have it a great vegan potato salad recipe. Simply opt out of regular mayo for vegan mayonnaise and mix it with amazing spies like paprika, dill pickles, fresh ground pepper and celery and pepper for an extra crunch. Make this recipe for your next potluck and no one will notice it’s dairy-free!
https://veganhuggs.com/creamy-vegan-potato-salad/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: VEGAN HUGGS
