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Dairy-Free, Paleo, Nacho Zucchini Cheese

IMG_8645Have you heard about Zucchini Cheese?? It’s a Dairy-Free, Paleo-Friendly alternative to cheese that you can make at home. And get this, it tastes just like CHEESE! Really. I swear. I wouldn’t joke about something so super important as cheese! For those of you whom avoid dairy, this is the ideal, healthy replacement for cheese that you’ve been looking for. Unfortunately, I can’t take credit for this invention myself. But I am proud to say that at least there was a Hayley that invented it 🙂 Hayley Stobbs is the genius behind Zucchini Cheese, click HERE to check her out on Instagram where she’s currently sharing all her magic – she’ll be launching her own blog soon. Since she didn’t have her blog at the time the zucchini-cheese frenzy began, Gutsy by Nature was kind enough to share her recipe HERE so that people beyond instagram can experience this life changing recipe too! I’ve been enjoying her zucchini cheese over the past few weeks, and of course I had to put my own unique spin on it! We love a spicy cheese and Hayley’s recipe was easily adapted to make a beautiful spicy-nacho cheese. It’s especially awesome lightly melted on my Grain Free Tortilla Chips for a completely Paleo Nachos’s and Cheese! One of the most critical components to making this cheese is your blender. You’ve gotta get everything blended together completely smooth for the texture to be perfect, any lumps will totally ruin your zucchini cheese. So, I’ve teamed up with my friend over at BlendTec to giveaway one of my favorite kitchen tools – a Blendtec Blender!! Yep you read that correctly, I’m giving away a Blendtec Designer 625 with wideside+ and twister jar to one lucky winner.

Blendtec vs. Vitamix

I’ve had the very same Blendtec blender I’m giving away for just over 2 months and I’ve gotta say it’s completely AMAZING. It’s totally exceeded my expectations in all ways. I didn’t just upgrade to a better blender, I replaced my Vitamix with a Blendtec.  I’ve had my Vitamix for several years and it’s been a great blender, however it just doesn’t compare to my new Blendtec. There’s a few key points that I’d like to point out to anyone who’s debating between the two:

  1. Blendtec is a better size, it’s shorter than the Vitamix which makes it easier to use and store in your kitchen.
  2. Blendtec is quieter than the Vitamix
  3. The Wideside+ jar is super awesome. Food just slides right out. And what you do need to get out with the supplied rubber scraper is no problem since the jar is smooth. Unlike the Vitamix where I felt like I lost 1/2 since I couldn’t get it out.
  4. The smooth, all one piece base of the Blendtec is easy to clean. There’s no buttons, dials or switches to clean around.
  5. Shorter blend time for smooth results with the Blendtec.

To enter to win your own Blendtec Blendtec, there’s a easy entry widget at the end of this post 🙂 Keep scrolling down. Dairy-Free, Paleo Nacho Zucchini Cheese - tastes just like cheese only dairy free! Making zucchini cheese is as easy as steaming veggies and pureeing it smooth in your blender, for best results I recommend a a Blendtec 🙂 and then letting it set up. Easy-peasy, lemon-squeesy! I use one of the large rectangle container from THIS set, it’s the perfect size/shape. It holds about 6 cups if you want to find another suitable container or use couple small containers. Dairy-Free, Paleo Nacho Zucchini Cheese - tastes just like cheese only dairy free! Dairy-Free, Paleo Nacho Zucchini Cheese - tastes just like cheese only dairy free!

Nacho Zucchini Cheese

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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Steam zucchini and red pepper with 1/2 cup water for about 5 minutes, or until very soft.
  • Drain steamed veggies then add to your blender along with ghee, lemon juice, sea salt, nutritional yeast and coconut aminos. Blend on high until completely smooth. Add gelatin and blend again to combine.
  • At the very end, gently pulse in the diced jalapeños, You want there to be little bits visible.
  • Pour your cheese mixture into a small square or rectangular container and chill for at least 6 hours or until completely set up (will be like velveta cheese or very stiff jello)
  • Gently loosen from your container and invert. Slice your cheese as desired..

Notes

Use coconut oil if you are strictly dairy free and Agar in place of gelatin for vegan cheese.
Tried this recipe?Mention @hayley_inthekitchen or tag #hayley_inthekitchen!
Let’s talk a little more about this awesome Blendtec blender!  I’m sure you’re ready to enter this awesome giveaway, huh?? Dairy-Free, Paleo Nacho Zucchini Cheese - tastes just like cheese only dairy free!

Designer 625 with Wildside+ Jar and Twister Jar

The Blendtec Designer 625 features everything you need to create healthy smoothies, snacks, and meals in a matter of seconds—and it looks great doing it. With a next generation illuminated touch interface, preprogrammed cycles of our most popular blends, and a stunning palette of six colors to choose from, this is one blender you won’t want to hide in the cabinets.
Package includes:

  • Designer 625 motor base
  • 3 qt. BPA-Free, WildSide+ jar with vented Gripper™ lid
  • Blending 101 quick-start guide and recipes
  • Twister jar

The Twister Jar. is designed to blend your thickest recipes, such as nut butters, baby food, dips, thick shakes, dressings and more! To use the jar, simply add ingredients and twist the lid counter-clockwise while the blend cycle is running. This twisting motion forces the ingredients from the sides of the jar back into the blade, allowing you to achieve a perfect blend every time. Also included is the Spectacula™ spatula—engineered specifically for the Twister. We made this spatula just the right length and shape so you can get nearly every morsel out of your jar.

Blendtec Designer 625 Wideside+ and Twister Jar Giveaway Blendtec Giveaway This giveaway is sponsored by Blendtec. Dairy-Free, Paleo Nacho Zucchini Cheese - tastes just like cheese only dairy free!

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205 Comments

  1. Hi Hayley, Thank you for the Zucchini Cheese Receipe! cant wait to make it! only problem I dont have a blender. I bought a cheap one for $30.00
    unfortunatly it wasn’t any good. All the smoothies were lumpy and really tasted bad. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to win the
    BLENTEC MIXER so I can get my health back and make awsum smoothies and a whole heap of healthy yummy foods!

  2. How did you get the color of cheese in your recipe pictures? Some of the zucchini cheese recipe pictures don’t look like yours.
    Thank you.

    1. I’m not sure I understand your question? The photos in the post are of my recipe, so the color is from the ingredients used.

  3. Just reading over your recipe and I’m wondering if the 1/4 tablespoon of ghee/coconut oil is accurate? I’ve never seen 1/4 tablespoon used as a measurement since it would be 3/4 teaspoon. I’d love to give the recipe a shot if you can clarify, thanks in advance! 🙂

  4. I made this tonight! Followed the recipe exactly and used my Nutribullet blender. It has sort of a Jello consistency, think of the mozzarella string cheese you buy at the store. The taste is great though and I loved the spice! I’m doing a Whole30 right now and this is helping me to stay away from dairy! Thanks for the recipe!

  5. Ghee is dairy. It is clarified butter. If you call the recipe dairy free, you should really remove the option for ghee.

    1. Melissa – ghee is 100% pure butterfat with all lactose & casein removed. it is tolerated by over 95% of the population. I have also included coconut oil as an option in the recipe ingredients as a option for the 5% that are intolerant to ghee.

  6. 5 stars
    I would make baby food for my grandson it would be so great to know that he is eating healthy and all natural foods. Thanks for the chance i would so love to be the WINNER!!!

  7. 3 stars
    Oh how I would love this blendtec blender, I am using a teeny one now and it takes forever. Thank you…

  8. Would make smoothies and peanut butter!! I would LOVE a quiet blender! Mine isn’t quiet at all and doesn’t work as well as it should. Would LOVE to win a BLENDTEC!!!

  9. The first thing I’d make is nut butter. My dad has pecan trees, so I’d like to see how those turn out.

  10. 3 stars
    I want to see how a Blendtec compares to a Vitamix! I love making smoothies, and quieter in the morning would be a big plus.

  11. 3 stars
    I have to admit, I’m not sure if I’d be down for the cheese recipe above, but there are SO MANY things that this awesome blender could help make. Smoothies and other drinks, of course, but also mixing up things for soups and sauces, etc.

  12. Did I win yet?? 😉 I keep dreaming of how much simpler my life will be with one of these gorgeous creatures in my kitchen!

  13. I would love to make my 5 kids some healthier snacks and smoothies would be the perfect thing that would be enjoyable. Looking forward to trying more wonderful, healthy recipes.

  14. The possibilities are endless. Smoothies, plantain purée for crackers and wraps, soups, and the list goes on. What a difference a stronger blender would make in our grain free, dairy free, sweetener free, nightshade free, nut free kitchen. Do you see a pattern? I am learning to love making incredible nutrient rich foods.

  15. My little guy is just starting to eat solids. I would make him home made, healthy, organic baby food! And lie fat smoothies for me!

  16. 5 stars
    Apple changed my email address in previous message, the one above mentioned in this new message is the correct one. I think the other email addy was incorrect, thanks Kellie..

    Can this be made without the peppers, and what could I substitute for the Red Bell Pepper? I am allergic to the Bell Pepper family. 🙁 Thanks so much.

    What would I do with a Blendtec? Well for me, the sky is the limit. I’ve seen so many wonderful recipes, and I just sit and stare at them, because I know I can’t afford one of Blendtec, so I dream that one day I will. They say if you believe in Dreams, they will come true eventually; I hope so.

    1. Kellie – you can make it without the pepper just add more zucchini – of course the flavor and taste will be different.

  17. 5 stars
    Can this be made without the peppers, and what could I substitute for the Red Bell Pepper? I am allergic to the Bell Pepper family. 🙁 Thanks so much.

    What would I do with a Blendtec? Well for me, the sky is the limit. I’ve seen so many wonderful recipes, and I just sit and stare at them, because I know I can’t afford one of Blendtec, so I dream that one day I will. They say if you believe in Dreams, they will come true eventually; I hope so.

  18. There are very few giveaways that get my full attention. Blendtek is one of them. Thank you for offering this generous giveaway! My husband and I are on a Keto diet, at the direction of my doctor. I would like to start developing creamy soups with the right proportions of Fat to Protein to Net Carbs. it would make it so much easier to stick with it when we’re on the go!

  19. Wedge Parmesean Cheese in Bulk & pulse until ground, so much less.
    AM Parsley Drinks & healthy Salad Dressings & Pasta Dairy Free Sauces!

  20. Thank you! Have been totally dairy free for about 10 yrs, due to very bad dairy allergy. Have not been eating any cheese. I soooo want to try this!

  21. 5 stars
    I would use this all the time!! I love smooth rustic soups with blended ingredients like turnip, sweet potato, pumpkin, carrot and more!

  22. I have a lot of health issue that could be improved with smoothie especially ones that include kale but my blender can handle kale. And there is so much more I would love to try if I won this fantastic blender. Thanks for the chance!

  23. I would make salad dressings, coconut milk and smoothies to start. Then I’d love to give it a try with sauces and salsa.

  24. Thanks! Can’t wait to make a huge batch of zucchini cheese. I’ve been getting by with a tiny nutribullet, can’t even imagine what I could do with a blendtec!

  25. 5 stars
    That cheese looks so good and I trust it does taste like cheese. I will try that and also make icecream and tomato sauce and smoothies. Etc.

  26. Would love a blender to tackle my thicker concoctions and not worry about overtaxing the motor. Most everything ‘out there’ is a monstrosity to store or fit comfortably under a cabinet. I’ll let you know how it goes if I win. 🙂

  27. I have been wanting a Blendtec for a long time. There are so many things I would make including nut butters, soups, homemade remedies, etc.

  28. Just a little question about the gelatin, is it 1/3 of a cup (80 ml) or 1/3 of a tablespoon (5 ml)?
    I’ll gather the ingredients to try it

      1. Hi, is the gelatin in jelly form or powder form. Do you have to set it first so it doesn’t clump up in the mix?

  29. brilliant giveaway, would love to have a Blendtec to make vegan cheese, smoothies and other beautifully blended things! Would definitely start with this recipe – cheese from courgettes, amazing!!!

  30. I saw a Blendtec demo in Costo once and wanted one so badly!! I use a blender every day and this would make life in my kitchen so much easier!

  31. Would love to have one of these because I would literally be making almost everything from soups to nut butter to smoothies!!

  32. I would love to win this, as our blender is old. I’ve wanted a Vitamix for YEARS, but it is cost prohibitive. This sounds just as good as one of those!

  33. Ahh! Zucchini cheese? What an awesome idea. Commercial cheese substitutes just gross me out. 🙁 I definitely want to attempt the cheese but I’ll have to try it with agar. I hope it turns out! Thanks for sharing.

    I love to make “muscle mania” smoothies in my blender. Some type of milk + some type of protein powder + some type of nut butter + frozen bananas. My favorite combo is almond milk, almond butter, and hemp protein. Very customizable and guaranteed to taste delicious. Great for post-workout recovery.

  34. I would make peanut butter or soup! I have some peanuts that really need to be made into peanut butter… I LOVE soups this time of year and am anxious to try a broccoli cheese soup recipe!! YUM!!

  35. Thank you for always providing health conscious recipes and fun giveaways for us! I’m lactose intolerant and plan on trying the zucchini cheese right away. Looks great!

    1. Ramya – many people with lactose issues do not have a problem with raw milk/cheese. when milk is pasteurized/homogenized the chemical structure is changed and it’s not easily digestible by many people. In one study 81% of people with a diagnosed lactose intolerance are able to drink raw milk/cheese http://www.realmilk.com/health/lactose-intolerance-survey/

  36. I would LOVE a Blendtec! I couldn’t decide which one to get when I get one and I looked at both the Blendtec & Vitamix…..

  37. 5 stars
    Oh this would be amazing since the cat’s decided to play let’s break moms new blender 🙁 I would make salsa and would be so much easier than by doing it by hand

  38. 5 stars
    Nut butters, purees (for baking), nut milk, smoothies oh the possibilities!

    Oh and of course that cheese! OH MY GOODNESS! I can’t eat dairy .. so I just have to try this!

  39. 5 stars
    I would make many different varieties of nut butters, homemade bean or nut milks, pesto and hummus. I would also definitely make this zucchini cheese! I would make it immediately if I were not getting ready to fly out of state for my second brain surgery. Hopefully I will heal in less than the anticipated one year, since my girls, husband and I have been adversely affected by my rare, incredibly painful disorder for over 3 years now. I want nothing more than to have this brain surgery be a success- unlike my last one a year ago- so I can get back into my kitchen and can have much more playtime each day! Thanks for this post and giveaway!

  40. I would love one of these!!!! And Hayley is indeed an awesome person!! This alternative of her Zucchini cheese sounds delicious!

  41. 5 stars
    A blendtec has been on my wish list for 5 years but just can’t afford it. The sky is the limit as to what I could make with one of these babies! I make a smoothie every morning but would love to make soups, nut butters, nut milks…and nacho zucchini cheese! Fingers crossed!

  42. I would for sure make this cheese!! I love cheese and am super excited about a dairy free alternative that is VEGGIE based!

  43. I do a smoothie every morning and this would make life simpler. And then…look out world I set to test all the recipes I have flagged. LOL

  44. I would love to make this cheese recipe! And use it for smoothies! Have wanted one for awhile now! Thanks for the chance to win one!

  45. I’d love to win a blender. I would like to be blending my own flours and milk, but I need a stronger blender to get started.

  46. 5 stars
    Smoothies of COURSE! But I definitely want to try zucchini cheese! It seriously tastes like cheese??

  47. I’m having a baby in February, so I would love to have a better blender to make baby food! Also, we make smoothies all the time, so it would get lots of good use!

  48. Hummus, smoothies, nut milks etc etc. I have a cheap Oster blender with a lid that doesn’t fit but I am still using it! This would be something I could never buy for myself.

  49. Zucchini cheese??? I have to try this, since I have so many that I am running out of ideas to use them up this time of year. Great idea!

  50. I would love a BlendTec!! Have wanted one for years!! First I would make a smoothie that was smooth! Then, soups for the winter would be great!!!!

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