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Vegan Herbed Parmesan Cheese
Vegan Herbed Parmesan Cheese

Vegan Herbed Parmesan Cheese: Simple, Delicious, and Dairy Free!

Welcome back to the blog, loves! Last week I dabbled in some “cheesy” zucchini baking and I fell upon the most delectable and satisfying vegan parmesan cheese ever. Typically I would keep my recipe normal: add in the nuts/seeds, the noooch, sea salt, pepper, and garlic. Sure, that’s good and all…but where is the FUN?!

Well, I found it. It turns out it was in my herb garden!!

vegan herbed parmesan cheese

My beautiful herbs turned a  simple vegan parmesan cheese recipe into a MUST TRY vegan herbed parmesan recipe. A little bit of thyme, a bit of basil, some oregano, and maybe even some parsley (if you wish!)? Toss all into a food processor (or blender) and blend until broken down into a fine meal. Voila, You now have a jar full of amazing homemade vegan parmesan that you can keep in your refrigerator for whenever you need to satisfy that cheese craving!

This delicious vegan herbed parmesan cheese will come together in under 5 minutes with minimal ingredients that you already likely have stocked up in your kitchen or can find in your garden!

 

What can I use this for?

Pasta dishes

Baked Veggies

Avocado Toast

Garlic Bread

Anything that needs a cheesy kick!

What you will need for this Vegan Herbed Parmesan Cheese recipe…

Ingredients Required:

Sunflower Seeds

Nutritional Yeast

Dried Thyme

Dried Oregano

Dried Basil

Garlic Powder

Sea Salt/Pepper

Great Addition: Fresh/Frozen chopped parsley!

Vegan Herbed Parmesan Cheese

Vegan Herbed Parmesan Cheese

This is the perfect parmesan cheese recipe to keep in a jar in your fridge for whenever you need a cheezy kick!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: how to, toppings, vegan cheese
Cuisine: American
Keyword: beginner friendly, dairy free cheese, vegan cheese
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 15
Calories: 45kcal

Equipment

  • Food Processor

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup sunflower seeds
  • 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 1/4 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/4 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp dried basil
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp parsley fresh or frozen, chopped small
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Add all of the ingredients (including the parsley if using) into a food procesoor and process until broken down into a fine meal. Voila, you have a vegan herbed parmesan cheese!
  • Taste test and adjust as needed. You may require a bit more sea salt or nutritional yeast depending on your taste bud's needs. 🙂

Notes

*Feel free to substitute the sunflower seeds for cashews if you wish!
**We love to play around with different herbs. I have also tried sage and it was absolutely amazing. 
***Nutritional yeast adds a lovely cheesy flavour but you can also omit and have a very flavourful and healthy seasoning!

Nutrition

Sodium: 39mg | Calcium: 5mg | Vitamin C: 1mg | Sugar: 1g | Fiber: 1g | Potassium: 73mg | Calories: 45kcal | Saturated Fat: 1g | Fat: 4g | Protein: 2g | Carbohydrates: 2g | Iron: 1mg

 

Benefits of…

Sunflower Seeds 

  • Sunflower seeds are rich in the B complex vitamins, which are essential for a healthy nervous system! They are also a good source of phosphorus, magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, protein and vitamin E.

Thyme

  • This herb is full of vitamin C and also has vitamin A! Great for when you aren’t feeling well and need to get back on track. 

Oregano

  • Oregano is a power house herb. It is an excellent source of fiber, vitamin K, manganese, iron, vitamin E, tryptophan and calcium. Oregano is highly regarded for it’s anti-bacterial properties and is loaded with antioxidants!

Vegan Herbed Parmesan Cheese

Find more healthy vegan recipes like this Herbed Parmesan Cheese when you join The WonderMamas Meal Plan Membership!

Our Whole Food Plant Based Meal Plans have been created for families that are looking to stop stressing in the kitchen and get healthy the easy way! Our recipes are always kid-approved and you will be able to explore hundreds of recipes instantly when you sign up and be able to get prepping right away.

Check out our membership here.

 

Enjoy this post? Check out these other recipes!

Homemade Vegan Pesto

Sunflower Seed Dressing 

Green Goddess Dressing

Vegan Herbed Parmesan Cheese

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Cauliflower and Broccoli Rice
Vegan Cauliflower and Broccoli Stir Fry Rice

Vegan Cauliflower and Broccoli Stir Fry

Jump to Recipe

Welcome back to the blog! Today we are sharing a super random recipe that we accidentally created by forgetting to turn the food processor off haha! I never thought of making cauliflower and broccoli into a bowl of mixed rice but it turned out great!

Read more

Cauliflower and Broccoli Rice
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Cranberry Orange Walnut Salad
Cranberry Orange Walnut Salad: Vegan and Oil Free!

Super Simple Cranberry Orange Walnut Salad

Jump to Recipe

Welcome back to the blog, Mamas! Today I would like to share with you all a beautiful salad that Martin and I have really come to love: This Cranberry Orange Walnut Salad. A mixture of cranberries, clementines, walnuts, pomegranate seeds, bright greens, and the most deliciously creamy tahini dressing. Heaven in a bowl.

Read more

Cranberry Orange Walnut Salad
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Vegan Goji Berry & Mixed Nut Energy Balls

Vegan Goji Berry & Mixed Nut Energy Balls

Our family adores energy balls and we create new ones each week with various ingredients: dried fruit, nuts, chocolate, coconut, Medjool dates, nut/seed butter and more!

The boys have fallen head over heels in love with Goji Berries and so I decided to create an energy ball with these little miracle workers. Goji berries have a very long history in Ancient China and have been used for eye, liver and kidney issues.

They are a great source of Vitamin C, Iron, and Fiber and contain all 8 essential amino acids!!

Vegan Goji Berry & Mixed Nut Energy Ball

I decided to add as many goodies as possible to these energy balls: Dates, Almonds, Cashews, Chocolate, and Coconut!

 

Further Benefits of Goji Berries

Goji Berries

  • Just one ounce of these berries will fulfill 10% of your daily protein requirements!
  • The high amount of vitamin C is great to boost your immune system and protect you and your little ones from the flu.
  • These berries can aid in weight loss. The sweet and yummy taste (plus the added fiber) can help you to have an easier transition from processed sugar to whole foods. Our family LOVES to snack on these!
  • Goji berries contain a special antioxidant called zeaxanthin (this antioxidant gives them their beautiful and bright color). Antioxidants protect cells against breaking down when they’re exposed to elements such as smoke and radiation.
  • Goji berries are fantastic for lowering blood sugar and avoiding sugar crashes. They can also improve sugar tolerance if you slowly substitute these for the processed sugar snacks!
So now that we have talked about this amazing superfood, let’s get to blending and rolling these amazing Vegan Goji Berry & Mixed Nut Energy Balls!

 

Let the Food Processor do all of the work! Just keep processing until a dough ball like this forms 🙂

 

Vegan Goji Berry and Mixed Nut Energy Balls

These are a must try energizing bite to add to your family's weekly meal plans! Great for the kids lunch boxes or an afternoon pick me up!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: beginner friendly, energy ball, kid friendly
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 70.15kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Start by removing the seeds from the medjool dates and adding to the food processor. Follow this by tossing in all of the remaining ingredients.
  • Turn the food processor on and allow it to do all the work for you. If you need to stop to scrape down the sides, go right ahead. Continue to food process the mixture until a dough like ball is formed.
  • Once the dough is formed, remove from procesor and take either a 1 tsp or 1 tbsp (depending on the size you want) amount and roll into balls. You can leave as is or you can roll in some coconut shreds as shown. The balls will be quite sticky so I do recommend rollling them in some sort of a powder/shreds. Feel free to use cacao powder, coconut shreds, pulsed nuts, powdered sugar or whatever else you want!
  • Store in the refrigerator to set and also to keep for the week. I like to keep mine stored in an airtight glass container. These are fantastic for snack lunch boxes, mid-afternooon pick me ups or even as a quick out the door energy boost!

Notes

**Can sub out any nuts for seeds.
**Can sub goji berries for any dried fruit you have on hand. 

Nutrition

Sodium: 0.34mg | Calcium: 15.87mg | Vitamin A: 18.25IU | Sugar: 9.62g | Fiber: 1.34g | Potassium: 108.01mg | Calories: 70.15kcal | Saturated Fat: 0.95g | Fat: 2.8g | Protein: 1.14g | Carbohydrates: 11.84g | Iron: 0.48mg

p.s. If you dig this recipe, try out these other hits!

 

Vegan Goji Berry Energy Balls

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Homemade Vegan Chimichurri Sauce
Vegan Avocado and Parsley Chimichurri Sauce

Vegan Avocado and Parsley Chimichurri Sauce

To be honest, I do not know what I love most about this refreshing and delicious Vegan Avocado and Parsley Chimichurri Recipe; the color, the taste or the versatility! Martin and I were juicing some parsley and celery the other day and I had the sudden urge to recreate this sauce. I haven’t had the pleasure of devouring my grandmother’s homemade  (super oil-packed but delicious all the same) Chimichurri recipe in YEARS and I just had to have it right at that moment!

I grabbed a few avocados, a handful of parsley and got to work.

We tested out about 4 different recipe varieties before settling on this one but I have to tell ya, EVERY single one was delicious! While the taste is on the lighter side of the traditional chimichurri sauce, it was just divine. There is no way that anyone can mess up this sauce. I highly recommend having fun with it and adding anything that you would like. Maybe next week I will add in some spinach, broccoli or even hot peppers!

For reference, the traditional chimichurri recipe is as follows: 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup parsley, 3 tbsp red wine vinegar, 4 garlic cloves, 2 tbsp oregano, 2 tsp crushed pepper, and sea salt/pepper. 

Homemade Vegan Chimichurri Sauce

The color of this Vegan Avocado and Parsley Chimichurri Sauce is gorgeous!!!

Benefits of Avocado and Parsley

Avocados

  • While most fruits are high in carbohydrates, avocados are high in wonderful healthy fats!
  • Avocados are very nutritious and contain a wide variety of nutrients, including 20 different vitamins and minerals.
  • High in Vitamin K, Folate, Vitamin C, Potassium, Vitamin B5 & B6, and Vitamin E!
  • Contain more potassium than bananas!
  • Avocados tend to be rich in fiber — about 7% by weight, which is very high compared to most other foods. Fiber may have important benefits for weight loss and metabolic health.

Parsley

  • EXCELLENT source of Vitamin C.
  • Parsley is a nutritional powerhouse with vitamins A, B, C and K and the minerals iron and potassium.
  • Fantastic to kill bloat and reduce water weight.
  • It’s a natural diuretic, which helps to eliminate excess fluid without depleting the body of potassium.
  • Aids in balancing blood sugar, helping with long-term weight balance. It also plays a key role in preventing the degenerative effects of diabetes on the liver.

So now that we have talked about some of our amazing ingredients, let’s get blending!

Homemade Vegan Chimichurri Sauce

Homemade Vegan Chimichurri Sauce with Avocado and Parsley

This is one of our favorite sauces to add to any taco bowl, simple salad or to use as a dip for our yummy tortilla chips!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: easy, easy vegan pasta, Healthy, quick
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 61kcal

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley
  • 4 tbsp dried oregano
  • 2 ripe avocadoes
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 6-8 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4-1/2 cup water
  • sea salt & pepper, to desired taste
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Prep parsley and mince garlic.
  • Add all ingredients to blender and blend until smooth. Taste test and adjust.
  • Play around with the sea salt and pepper until it is just right. Add a pinch of crushed red peper if you wish!
  • Store in an airtight mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week!

Nutrition

Sodium: 103mg | Calcium: 14mg | Vitamin C: 10mg | Vitamin A: 515IU | Sugar: 1g | Fiber: 2g | Potassium: 200mg | Calories: 61kcal | Saturated Fat: 1g | Fat: 5g | Protein: 1g | Carbohydrates: 5g | Iron: 1mg

p.s. If you dig this recipe, try out these other hits!

Vegan Chimichurri Sauce

Homemade Vegan Chimichurri Sauce
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Broccoli and Mashed Butternut Squash Buddha Bowl
Vegan Broccoli and Butternut Squash Buddha Bowl

Vegan Broccoli and Butternut Squash Buddha Bowl with Lemon Tahini Dressing

 

It’s been a serious minute since we roasted some delicious broccoli florets in this house and we need to fix that! About three months ago, I went on a broccoli crazy shopping spree at the market and came home with 10 huge heads of the most gorgeous greens. I chopped them, froze them on a baking sheet and then transferred them into 4 large silicone bags (because screw plastic) to use later in the week……

Read more

Broccoli and Mashed Butternut Squash Buddha Bowl
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Homemade Vegetable Packed Pasta Sauce
Homemade Vegetable-Packed Pasta Sauce: Two Ways!

My Favorite Homemade Vegetable-Packed Pasta Sauce that I make…

Every Single Week (x2)!

This is it: this is the recipe that will save your butt in a jiffy. I think the best thing about this recipe is that you can substitute AS MUCH as you wish. You can use absolutely any variety of vegetables, fresh or frozen, in this recipe. As long as it blends, you can add it.

Each and every week our family tries out a brand new recipe version of this basic recipe. Some of our favorite vegetable swaps include:

  • Zucchini
  • Eggplant
  • Mushrooms
  • Broccoli
  • Bell Peppers
  • Sun-dried tomatoes

And, while we are on the subject of substituting, I also love to add in the following on any given day:

  • Hemp seeds
  • Sunflower Seeds
  • Pecans
  • Cashews
  • Pepita seeds

While I urge you to have as much fun with this as possible, I also encourage you to try to stick to the ingredient amounts for best taste. If you substitute the cauliflower for broccoli or zucchini, I advise you to stick with the 1 cup amount. The same goes for the seeds and nuts.

If you are a big spice lover like me, get crazy and add in 2 jalapeno peppers if you wish!

Homemade Vegetable Packed Pasta Sauce

If it blends, you can toss it into this homemade vegetable-packed pasta sauce recipe!

P.s. I highly recommend this Food Processor as I am a bit in love with it at the moment (and for the next 15 years).

Benefits of This Sauce

  • Easily allows you and your children to reach the recommended daily amounts of vegetables by blending! It’s like a smoothie in a pasta dish (in all the good ways – I promise).
  • Picky Eater Approved! I have yet to meet a child who does not love a blended pasta sauce. Even better if you let the child participate in the creating of this magical sauce. Let them toss in the veggies and the ingredients! (FYI: You can also turn this into a soup with just 2 cups of vegetable broth).
  • Turns a simple Pasta dinner into the most nutritionally packed dinner of the week: There is almost no way that any other meal can beat this one once you have added all of the amazing ingredients. Feel free to add any extras like…
    • Turmeric
    • Moringa
    • Rosemary
    • Kale
  • Allows even the most hectic and stressful day to become a nutritionally conscious one. Parenting is HARD. Heck…just living is hard sometimes. I promise that this meal will check off all of your boxes and allow dinner to come together in under 10 minutes.
  • Budget-friendly: This is about as budget-friendly as you want it to be. Some pasta sauce, a can of beans, random veggies (on sale perhaps?) and some spaghetti? It’s a winner!
Homemade Vegetable Packed Pasta Sauce

Kid-Approved Veggie Packed Pasta Sauce

This is one of my sons absolute favorite versions of this homemade sauce!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: how to, Main Course, Sauce
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: easy, Easy Pasta, homemade nut butter, quick
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 49kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 30 oz Jar Pasta Sauce
  • 1 can cannelini beans
  • 1 cup cauliflower
  • 1 cup spinach loosely packed
  • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
  • 1 small bunch fresh basil
  • Any additonal seasoning that you wish to add
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to food processor and process until well blended.
  • Cook pasta according to package direction.
  • Once pasta has finished cooking, drain well and then mix with homemade pasta sauce. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Sodium: 125mg | Calcium: 41mg | Vitamin C: 7mg | Vitamin A: 404IU | Sugar: 1g | Fiber: 3g | Potassium: 86mg | Calories: 49kcal | Saturated Fat: 1g | Fat: 1g | Protein: 4g | Carbohydrates: 10g | Iron: 1mg
Homemade Vegetable Packed Pasta Sauce

Spicy Veggie Packed Pasta Sauce

While my children love the mild version of this sauce, I am all about the spice!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: how to, Main Course, Sauce
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: easy, Easy Pasta, quick, spicy
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 119kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 30 oz Jar Pasta Sauce
  • 1 can cannelini beans
  • 1 cup spinach packed
  • 3/4 cups walnuts (any nut/seed will do)
  • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
  • 1 bunch fresh basil
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, seeds removed If sensitive to spicy foods, use a small amount of jalapeno at a time
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 pinch sea salt and black pepper
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to food processor and process until well blended.
  • Cook pasta according to package direction.
  • Once pasta has finished cooking, drain well and then mix with homemade pasta sauce. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Sodium: 122mg | Calcium: 51mg | Vitamin C: 2mg | Vitamin A: 404IU | Sugar: 1g | Fiber: 4g | Potassium: 97mg | Calories: 119kcal | Saturated Fat: 1g | Fat: 7g | Protein: 6g | Carbohydrates: 11g | Iron: 2mg

 

p.s. If you dig this recipe, try out these other hits!

Vegan Coconut Potato Curry

5-Minute Chickpea Burgers

Homemade Vegan Gnocchi

 

Homemade Vegetable Packed Pasta Sauce

Homemade Vegetable Packed Pasta Sauce

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