Indulgent cheese loaf recipe that will impress everybody!
Picture the scene: you’re hosting a dinner party and your guests, as much as you love them, have dietary needs that are throwing a wrench in your meal plans. Some are gluten-free, others dairy-free or vegetarian. It’s a struggle to come up with something that everyone can enjoy together.
But fear not! I have just the recipe for you – a Vegetarian Cheese Loaf that is gluten-free AND dairy-free. And the best part? Even if your guests aren’t vegan or vegetarian, they’ll love it too!
This loaf combines sharp cheddar cheese with light soy sauce and white button mushrooms for umami goodness. The addition of walnuts adds a nice crunch, while onions give it some sweetness. Cottage cheese and eggs bring everything together for a moist, flavorful bite.
The recipe is flexible enough that you can use vegan cheese if you prefer, and it’s easy to make substitutions based on what you have on hand. Plus, it’s versatile enough to serve as an entree or side dish.
So whether you’re hosting a dinner party or looking for a tasty weeknight meal, this Vegetarian Cheese Loaf recipe has got your back. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you’re someone who loves the flavour of cheesy pull-apart bread like I do, then this Vegetarian Cheese Loaf Recipe is perfect for you. This recipe is a healthier and more sustainable option that makes it easy for you to enjoy a delicious pull-apart bread while still sticking to your dietary restrictions.
The best part about this dish is that it’s easy to prepare, savory in taste, and packed with nutrients sourced from the ingredients used. A combination of sharp cheddar cheese, onion, walnuts, and mushrooms makes this vegan cheese loaf an excellent way to consume wholesome foods that are both filling and satisfying.
What’s more? This vegetarian cheese loaf recipe is versatile, so you can make it in different ways or swap out ingredients to suit your personal preferences. If you follow a gluten-free or dairy-free lifestyle but still crave the taste of cheesy garlic bread, this recipe is perfect for you.
Whether it’s as a starter or side dish, paired with pasta dishes or soups, or even added to an appetizer platter at a party – the delicious taste and texture of this vegan Brazilian cheese loaf will certainly leave you craving for more!
So let’s dive into the ingredient list and get started on preparing this hearty vegetarian walnut cheddar pull-apart bread!
Ingredient List
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Cheese Bread: The base of our vegetarian cheese loaf requires 1-2 cups of cheese bread. You can either buy pre-made cheese bread or make it at home by blending sharp cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, and walnuts.
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Onion: You will need 1 large onion finely chopped to add some extra flavor to the loaf.
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Butter: 2 tbsp of butter will create the perfect consistency and help the loaf hold its shape.
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Eggs: To bind all the ingredients together you will need two eggs.
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Cottage Cheese: Another essential ingredient for the loaf, which gives creaminess and texture.
Optional Ingredients
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White Button Mushrooms: Add 1 1/2 cups of finely chopped white button mushrooms for an added umami flavor on top of your cheese loaf.
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Light Soy Sauce: Just a tablespoon of light soy sauce will enhance the overall taste and add more depth to the savory flavor profile.
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Garlic: Add minced garlic to taste for a bit extra kick in the loaf.
Do note that if you’re following a vegan diet, you can opt for vegan cheese substitutes like Cocojacks’ dairy-free and gluten-free vegan brazilian cheese or Nathalia Vegan Cheese De Queijo. Additionally, you can also use vegan butter to create a cheesy vegan garlic bread that still tastes amazing.
The Recipe How-To
Now, it’s time to give you the step-by-step instructions on how to make this Vegetarian Cheese Loaf Recipe. This recipe is fairly simple and can be enjoyed by everyone, especially vegan and vegetarian folks who might find it hard to get ahold of cheesy bread. Grab your apron, let’s dive right into it!
Ingredients:
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp vegan butter
- 1 cup white button mushrooms, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cups grated sharp cheddar cheese (use vegan cheese if desired)
- 1 ½ cups cottage cheese (use vegan cottage cheese if desired)
- 1 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
- 4 eggs
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 2 cups flour (can sub for gluten-free flour)
- 4 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the chopped onions in the vegan butter until they’re tender and start to turn caramelized.
- Add in the finely chopped mushrooms and garlic then cook for another minute until everything is well combined.
- In a large bowl, beat together the eggs with the light soy sauce. Then fold in the sautéed onion and mushroom mixture along with the grated sharp cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, chopped walnuts, flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Make sure all ingredients are well combined then pour mixture into a greased round loaf pan.
- Bake for around 40 minutes, or until your toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Take your Vegetarian Cheese Loaf out of the oven and let it cool down for about 10 minutes before serving on its own or with gluten-free crackers on the side.
That’s it; you now have a delectable vegetarian-cheesy-loaf recipe tucked under your belt!
Substitutions and Variations
Variations are the spice of life, and this recipe is no exception. Here are some ideas for how you can make it your own.
– Cheese Substitutions: If you prefer a vegan diet or have dairy sensitivities, this recipe calls for vegan cheese instead of sharp cheddar. You could substitute with any variety of vegan cheese that melts well, such as Daiya or Miyoko’s Kitchen. You can also try using different non-dairy milks in place of cottage cheese such as cashew or almond milk, but keep in mind that this may alter the texture of your loaf.
– Mushroom Substitutions: White button mushrooms are used in this recipe for their delicate flavor and tender texture. However, you could easily swap them out for portobello mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, or even sliced zucchini for a different flavor profile.
– Nut Substitutions: Walnuts add a delightful crunch to this recipe, but you could use any variety of nuts you like such as almonds, cashews or pecans. If you have a nut allergy, simply leave them out altogether.
– Onion Substitutions: Onion is a classic ingredient that adds depth and savory flavor to our vegetarian cheese loaf recipe. For variety, swap it out with shallots or leeks.
– Herb Additions: This vegetarian cheese loaf recipe includes garlic for savory richness. You may also consider adding other herbs such as thyme or rosemary (about 1 tsp) which go beautifully with the nutty flavors present in the recipe.
These substitutions and variations can make your cheese loaf unique to your personal tastes and bring a new dimension to your dining table!
Serving and Pairing
Once your vegetarian cheese loaf is ready, I suggest you let it cool for at least 5-10 minutes before serving. It might be tough to resist the strong aroma of cheesy goodness that fills the air, but patience is key.
When it comes to plating, the options are endless. You can go for a rustic look by slicing the loaf into thick slabs and serving them on a big wooden board, complete with some herbs or nuts as garnish. Or be more sophisticated and present your loaf sliced in thin sections arranged in a round shape in a greater set of white ceramic dishes.
This vegetarian cheese loaf is not only perfect as an appetizer or snack but also pairs well with an array of starters or soups, like pumpkin soup or tomato soup, which balances out the cheesiness perfectly. You can also pair it with salads and refreshing vinaigrettes as the cheesy richness will complement the freshness of the veggies perfectly.
But my ultimate favorite pairing for this dish is fresh sourdough bread. There’s something about combining two carb-packed items that satisfy every craving. Another personal favorite pairing combination would be toasting a slice and adding it as a base on top of Blaze Pizza (Vegan option). That bubble texture and cheesy taste, works wonders!
Be creative! Try pairing it with banana bread, stuffed bread or onion bread, making it your star ingredient for your next vegetable mix, giving life to your vegetable bread recipe or even creating a cheesy vegan garlic bread recipe worthy of generations on “de queijo” lovers.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Once your savory vegetarian cheese loaf is baked to perfection, here are some tips to make the most of it.
If you want to prepare this dish ahead of time, you can assemble the loaf and store it in the refrigerator for up to one day before baking. Alternatively, you could also freeze the unbaked loaf for up to two weeks. Just remember to wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in a freezer-safe container.
When it’s time to serve your delicious creation, you can reheat slices in the oven at 350°F for around 10-15 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions for 30 seconds to 1 minute on high.
For storing leftovers, keep them in the refrigerator wrapped with plastic wrap or aluminum foil for up to three days. If you freeze the cheese loaf, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Remember that this savory cheesy loaf tastes best when served warm and fresh out of the oven, but it’s still tasty even after being stored and reheated. Pair it with a tangy tomato soup or a fresh salad, and enjoy a delightful meal that will satisfy your cravings for cheesy goodness.
Tips for Perfect Results
Creating the perfect Vegetarian Cheese Loaf can seem intimidating at first, but with these helpful tips, it will be easy as pie. Follow these tips for a perfect result every time.
Firstly, it is essential to use room temperature ingredients, including the vegan butter and eggs. The eggs mix into other ingredients smoothly when they’re not too hot or cold. Using room temperature butter enables it to crest air pockets when beaten, which makes your vegetarian cheese loaf lighter and fluffier.
Secondly, mix the ingredients until they are just combined. Over-mixing quick bread can cause them to become tough and dense instead of light and fluffy.
Thirdly, make sure to grease and flour the pan adequately. This step ensures that the veggie cheese loaf pops out quickly without sticking to the pan. For best results, dust your pan with flour evenly after greasing it, so your cheesy vegan garlic bread doesn’t stick.
Fourthly, let your cheese nut loaf cool entirely in the pan before attempting to remove it. Allow your veggie cheese loaf at least fifteen minutes of cooling in the pan before you try pulling it out; otherwise, it will fall apart.
Fifthly, let your nutty vegetarian cheese cool on a wire rack. A wire rack allows air circulation under the vegetarian walnut cheddar loaf as it cools, preventing moisture from pooling underneath it.
Lastly, if you’d like an even cheesy garlic flavor throughout your loaves instead of just on top, fold minced garlic into your batter mixture rather than sprinkling it only on top of your cheesy vegan garlic bread.
With these simple tips in mind, you’ll be no less than a master of preparing vegetarian nutty cheese and walnut cheddar loaves in no time!
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a flavorful and satisfying vegetarian cheese loaf recipe, look no further than this recipe. With the perfect balance of savory, nutty, and cheesy flavors, this loaf is sure to impress even the most discerning of guests. And with its easy-to-follow instructions and adaptable ingredient list, it’s suitable for both novice and experienced cooks alike.
From its rich blend of sharp cheddar cheese, walnuts, and white button mushrooms to the subtle nuttiness of cottage cheese and the zing from light soy sauce and garlic, this loaf is a true masterpiece. But best of all, it can be enjoyed by vegans and non-vegans alike.
So what are you waiting for? Try making this delicious vegetarian cheese loaf today and experience the taste explosion for yourself. Whether you’re serving it as a side dish at your next dinner party or enjoying it as a snack with a warm cup of tea, this loaf is sure to become a staple in your recipe repertoire. Trust me; you won’t regret it!
Vegetarian Cheese Loaf Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 eggs
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 1 small onion, grated
- 1 (1 ounce) envelope from a 2 envelope box of lipton's dry onion soup mix
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped in a food processor (just until well chopped but not a meal texture)
- 3 cups Special K cereal
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup white button mushrooms, grated (before you grate them, clean them with a moistened paper towel but don't wash them IN water because )
- 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
- mushroom gravy, to ladle over the top of each serving
Instructions
- Beat eggs until foamy.
- Add remaining ingredients and stir until well combined.
- Put into a loaf pan that has been sprayed with non-stick spray or a 8x8 casserole that also has been sprayed with non-stick spray.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350 for 45-50 minutes. Test with a toothpick inserted in center after 45 minutes to see if it is done. Some ovens may take the 50 minutes.
- Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting into slices.
- Serve with mushroom gravy (or any you like) over each slice.
- If you double the recipe, don't double the cottage cheese.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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Jolo is a talented chef and food blogger with a passion for vegan and Caribbean flavors. From savory vegetarian dishes to tropical smoothies, Jolo’s Kitchen has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for meat-free meals or creative Caribbean recipes, Jolo’s Kitchen is the perfect place for you.