Dairy-Free, Paleo, Nacho Zucchini Cheese
Have 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:
- Blendtec is a better size, it’s shorter than the Vitamix which makes it easier to use and store in your kitchen.
- Blendtec is quieter than the Vitamix
- 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.
- The smooth, all one piece base of the Blendtec is easy to clean. There’s no buttons, dials or switches to clean around.
- 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. 
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. 
Ingredients
- 5 cups zucchini peeled and cubed
- 1 cup red pepper diced
- 1/2 cup Water, filtered
- 1 tablespoon Ghee or coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon, juiced
- 1/3 cup gelatin
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon Sea Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon organic cumin
- 1 teaspoon coconut aminos
- 1/4 cup finely chopped jalapeño seeds removed
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
Designer 625 with Wildside+ Jar and Twister Jar
- 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 Giveaway This giveaway is sponsored by Blendtec. 
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!
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.
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.
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! 🙂
It’s 1 tablespoon 🙂 that’s for catching that typo in the recipe card
Would love to try this. good equipment helps.
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!
Ghee is dairy. It is clarified butter. If you call the recipe dairy free, you should really remove the option for ghee.
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.
I cant eat nutritional yeast, what role does this play?
It’s what give it the cheese like flavor.
I love this zucchini cheese recipe. It tastes delicious and looks like cheese. Thanks so much for the recipe.
this would be a wonderful addition to my kitchen.
I would make lots of smoothies!
I would also like to blend up some jams and some sauces with this Blendtec blender.
Pumpkin Soup! My sister and I made butternut squash soup that was really good, so onto the next!!!
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!!!
Oh how I would love this blendtec blender, I am using a teeny one now and it takes forever. Thank you…
love smoothies so that would be number 1 after that any thing and everything
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!!!
I love your blog. Thank you for sharing your healthy info with me and the world
I would be making some of Hayley’s delicious butternut squash puree!!!
The first thing I’d make is nut butter. My dad has pecan trees, so I’d like to see how those turn out.
I would make soups and everything else I could.
Fingers crossed! Looks good
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.
Is it too early to start collecting Blender Soup recipes?
I wouldn’t mind trying to make soup.
I would make smoothies,soups,peanut butter,milkshakes ect…
I would have to make smoothies!
I would make smoothies and milkshakes.
I would make ice cream
All types of protean smoothies!
I would make banana ice cream!
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.
I would make smoothies!
Smoothies!
I’d love it to make plantain batter!
I would love to use this blender to make some crepes for a morning breakfast.
Did I win yet?? 😉 I keep dreaming of how much simpler my life will be with one of these gorgeous creatures in my kitchen!
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.
I would make smoothies!
smoothies!
I’d make smoothies and daiquiris
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.
The first thing I’d make is this Zucchini cheese recipe. Would love to try this.
I would make nut butters and smoothies!
Smoothies and margaritas!!
I would make cream of broccoli soup.
soups and smoothies
Breakfast smoothies are the favorite
I need to reduce dairy but hate to sacrifice taste…this cheese sounds great.
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!
I would try a green smoothie with kale.
I would like to make nut butters.
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.
Kellie – you can make it without the pepper just add more zucchini – of course the flavor and taste will be different.
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.
I’ve wanted a Blendtec ever since I saw my first episode of “Will It Blend?”
Would love that to make healthy drinks between blogging and business!
I’d make carrot ginger sauce!
Mostly smoothies.
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!
I cook all of my own food and I would use it for everything I can.
i have never had a blender before so iwill make ALL kinds of smoothies!!!
I want to try my sister in laws spinach smoothie!
Smoothies of all sorts.
I would make butternut squash
Wedge Parmesean Cheese in Bulk & pulse until ground, so much less.
AM Parsley Drinks & healthy Salad Dressings & Pasta Dairy Free Sauces!
I would also love to make some Starbucks coffee inspired drinks with this Blendtec, huge coffee fanatic.
Would love this to make smoothies!
Smoothies, of course. And I like to make cashew mayo.
I’d make healthy smoothies, and protien drinks!
peanut butte cashew butter smoothes!!!!!!!!!
I WOULD USE THIS FOR QUICK ENERGIZING POWER SHAKES AND SMOOTHIES. ALSO FOR CHOPPING NUTS FOR BAKING.
Smoothies, nut butters, raw soups, etc. The possibilities are endless!
smoothies and nut butters
I would make smoothies, grind grains into flour, and make nut butters. Yummy!
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!
I got a lot of idea swimming in my head!
yummy green smoothies
Really hope I win ;o)
I would use this all the time!! I love smooth rustic soups with blended ingredients like turnip, sweet potato, pumpkin, carrot and more!
healthy smoothies!!
Make smoothies
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!
I have been wanting a Blendtec for a long time! I would be making soups as the fall weather is now here.
I could really use this for all of the soups I’ve been making lately…my immersion blender just can’t keep up!
Fruit smoothies
I would make salad dressings, coconut milk and smoothies to start. Then I’d love to give it a try with sauces and salsa.
I’d make some smoothies!
This cheese!
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!
zucchini cheese of course!
I’d make lots of smoothies and soup!
Smooth soups!
Nut cheese and nut butters!
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.
peanut butter!!
Smoothies; nutmilk and butter, and that cheese. Yep!
I’d be in homemade nut butter heaven. I would give my left arm for a Blendtec!
I’d be in homemade but butter heaven. I would give my left arm for a Blendtec!
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. 🙂
I would definitely make some zucchini cheese!
I would try making my own nut butters with honey. 🙂
I would start with nut butters to really compare to a Vitamix.
I would finally be able to try making coconut milk, cream and butter!
All the things that can be blended. Especially ice coffee 🙂
Wow this “cheese” recipe looks great!!
MALTS
I would love to make some spicy guacamole dip with this Blendtec If I won this giveaway.
Some lovely cream soups and smoothies!
Home made peanut butter
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.
APPLE BUTTER
i’ve been dying to make blender cheesecake!! i’d also make nut butters.
I would make soups, smoothies, and dips!
I’d love to make smoothies with actual frozen bananas and such that I can’t blend now.
The first thing I would make would be margaritas to celebrate!!
I would be making some delicious and healthy smoothies!
I would love to make a mango cantaloupe smoothie with the Blendtec among others too.
I would LOVE to win this.. My blender is so shitty
Definitely start with smoothies.
I would make butternut soup!
I’d make smoothies and dressings and applesauce and shakes and who knows what! =)
I would love to make some Apple-Cinnamon Syrup from there recipes on the Blendtec website.
Smoothies and nut butters for sure!
I would love to make soups with this blender too!
I would make nut butters the most.
I would love to make protein smoothies in it,
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
1/3 of a cup – sorry I fixed the recipe 🙂
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?
It does not need any special preparation, I’ve linked to the product I use in the recipe.
Lots of soup for fall!
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!!!
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!
I would make tortilla soup first, then lots of smoothies
Great giveaway! Thank you. 🙂
I’d like to try your cheese recipe. I’ve never made anything like that!
peanut butter; almond meal; ice cream and smoothies are onn my list if I won the Blendtec!
Smoothies!
Would love to try this cheese. I don’t have a good enough blender for it.
I would make Broccoli-Cheddar Soup with this BlendTec if I won. Sounds o delish!
Would love to have one of these because I would literally be making almost everything from soups to nut butter to smoothies!!
that is SOOOO much better than my current blender!
I imagine I could find something to make every day with this wonderful machine. First would be smoothies!
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!
I would make smoothies for the family
This looks amazing.
Curious, does it melt nicely??
It does melt, not exactly like real cheese but close 🙂
Banana bread balls…those Larabar wannabes are SO easy in a good blender…
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.
This recipe, and smoothies.
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!!
I would definitely be making a morning smoothie for my 4 year old. He asks for them all the time!
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!
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/
smoothies everyday! and hummus and nut butters!
I would make all the healthy blender stuff that I haven’t been able to like smoothies and nut milk and THIS CHEESE!!
Nut butters. Smoothies. Really want to try the special jar for the nut butters!
Yum, I’d make peanut butter smoothies!
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…..
With fall now on the calendar, soups are going to be a staple!! 🙂
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
I definitely want to try this cheese recipe.
I would use it to make nut butters and breads and cakes and muffins and that awesome zucchini cheese.
I would for sure try the zucchini nacho cheese. It looks so good. I am dairy free also.
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!
I would make hummus!
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!
I would love one of these!!!! And Hayley is indeed an awesome person!! This alternative of her Zucchini cheese sounds delicious!
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!
I would for sure make this cheese!! I love cheese and am super excited about a dairy free alternative that is VEGGIE based!
Almond butter and smoothies
Smoothies!
I would sooo love this! Plus, I want to try that cheese!
Oh! Smoothies, some soup! Maybe try some nut butters!
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
This is awesome! I’ll def put it on my “recipes to try” list. Thanks!
If I won the Blendtec 625 I would use it to puree soups prior to canning them. Really love this blender!
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!
I would love to try lots of different smoothie recipes.
I would make some awesome dips for football parties, like a guacamole dip with this BlendTec if I won.
I’d make my frapps e’ryday!
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.
I want this!
I would make seed butters and nut butters.
Smoothies of COURSE! But I definitely want to try zucchini cheese! It seriously tastes like cheese??
soups and smoothies!
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!
nut butters
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.
I would make smoothies for my kids and home made apple sauce.
I would love a high quality blender like this for smoothies! And also making my own soups and nut butters.
I would make smoothies, for starters …with cool things like kale and carrots and peaches.
The first thing I would make would be this recipe!
I would finally be able to make hummus!
I would love to give this Nacho Zucchini Cheese a try in a Blendtec. Thanks for the giveaway!
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!
Nut butters, coconut butter especially!
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!!!!
Smoothies, smoothies and more smoothies….
soups, nut butters, smoothies, baking and coffee drinks for a start.