A Complete Guide to What is the Best Substitute for Cheese in Pizza?

November 9, 2025 •

4 min read

An estimated 70% of the global population has some degree of lactose intolerance, driving the demand for dairy-free alternatives. This presents a common kitchen challenge for pizza lovers, making the question of what is the best substitute for cheese in pizza? more relevant than ever. Fortunately, a wide array of options exists, from store-bought vegan varieties to creative homemade sauces and simple, cheese-free approaches.

Quick Summary

This guide explores effective dairy-free alternatives for pizza, covering popular store-bought vegan cheeses and simple homemade substitutes. Learn about using nutritional yeast, creating creamy sauces from cauliflower or cashews, and celebrating cheese-free pizzas. Find the ideal solution for dietary needs, from allergies to personal preference.

Key Points

Store-Bought Vegan Cheese: For convenience and a texture similar to dairy, consider brands like Miyoko's, Violife, and Follow Your Heart, which offer ready-to-use shreds and innovative liquid mozzarella.
Homemade Cashew Cream: Create a rich, creamy, and flavorful cheese sauce by blending soaked cashews with nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and tapioca starch for a satisfying melt.
Nutritional Yeast (Nooch): This savory, inactive yeast is perfect for dusting on a finished pizza for a nutty, parmesan-like flavor without the dairy.
Creamy Cauliflower Sauce: Make a thick, silky, and healthy white sauce by pureeing tender, cooked cauliflower with vegetable stock and seasonings, ideal for white pizzas.
Embrace the Cheese-less Pizza: Follow the traditional Italian pizza marinara style by focusing on a bold tomato sauce, garlic, and herbs, celebrating the natural flavor of the toppings.
Non-Dairy Pesto and Ricotta: Use dairy-free pesto as a sauce or dollop cashew-based ricotta on top to add creamy, herbaceous flavor.

Your Top Options for Dairy-Free Pizza

For many, pizza without cheese feels incomplete. The creamy texture, salty flavor, and glorious melt of mozzarella are central to the experience. However, thanks to advancements in plant-based food science and culinary creativity, a delicious, cheese-free pizza is more accessible than ever. The right choice depends on your desired outcome, whether it's a perfect melt, a rich, nutty flavor, or a completely different, yet equally satisfying, experience.

Store-Bought Vegan Cheese Alternatives

Modern vegan cheeses have come a long way, with many brands specifically formulated to melt and stretch like dairy mozzarella. These are an excellent choice for convenience and for replicating a traditional pizza texture.

Miyoko's Liquid Vegan Pizza Mozzarella: A unique, pourable option that coagulates and browns in the oven, offering a mild, cheesy flavor without the typical 'fake cheese' aftertaste.
Violife Just Like Mozzarella Shreds: These coconut oil-based shreds melt nicely and have a mild flavor, though they may feel a bit like cheese sauce rather than a solid cheese.
Follow Your Heart Vegan Shredded Mozzarella: Praised for its excellent melt and moderate 'cheese pull,' this brand is often compared to a classic, junky pizza cheese.
Daiya Mozzarella Style Shreds: An early player in the vegan cheese market, Daiya has improved its formulas over time. The updated, oat-cream-based versions are noted for better flavor and texture compared to earlier varieties.

Homemade Plant-Based Alternatives

If you prefer a more natural, wholesome approach, several homemade recipes can provide a creamy or cheesy topping for your pizza without relying on highly processed ingredients.

Cashew-Based Cream Sauce

A popular choice for mimicking the rich, creamy texture of cheese is a sauce made from cashews. The base is typically a blend of soaked cashews with water, lemon juice, salt, and nutritional yeast. For a stretchy effect, tapioca starch is often added.

Cauliflower Cream Sauce

For a lower-fat, whole-food alternative, a creamy cauliflower sauce works wonders. By boiling cauliflower florets until very tender and blending them with stock and spices, you can create a smooth, creamy base for a white pizza or a binder for your toppings. Blending for a full minute is key to achieving a silky texture.

The Power of Nutritional Yeast

Nutritional yeast, or 'nooch,' is an inactive yeast that offers a savory, nutty, and distinctly cheesy flavor without the dairy. Sprinkled directly onto a finished pizza, it adds a parmesan-like quality. When added to sauces, like the cashew cream or cauliflower sauce, it elevates the flavor profile significantly.

Going Cheesy-Less: The Tomato Pie Tradition

For those who aren't trying to replicate the cheesy texture at all, consider a traditional approach. The Neapolitan-style pizza marinara is an ancient recipe featuring only a robust tomato sauce, garlic, oregano, and olive oil—no cheese necessary. This style celebrates the freshness of the other ingredients and can be incredibly satisfying.

Creative Flavor Combinations

Pesto: A vibrant dairy-free pesto sauce can act as a flavorful base or topping, adding a creamy, savory element that distracts from the missing cheese.
Ricotta-Style Tofu: For a dolloped texture similar to ricotta, blend silken tofu with nutritional yeast, garlic, and salt.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Herbs: A generous drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, and fresh herbs post-baking can provide a rich, satisfying finish to any cheese-free pizza.

Comparison of Cheese Substitutes for Pizza


Feature	Store-Bought Vegan Cheese	Cashew Cream Sauce	Cauliflower Cream Sauce	Nutritional Yeast	Cheesy-Less Pizza
Taste	Closest to dairy, specific brands vary.	Rich, creamy, nutty, can be tangy.	Mild, creamy, adaptable; flavor needs enhancement.	Savory, cheesy, nutty; similar to parmesan.	Highlights natural flavor of sauce and toppings.
Texture	Mimics dairy cheese, varies by brand.	Thick, smooth, can be stretchy with starch.	Silky, thick puree, not stringy or melty.	Powdered or flaked, adds texture but doesn't melt.	Depends on other toppings; no typical 'melt'.
Effort	Low, ready to use.	Medium, requires soaking, blending, and cooking.	Medium, requires cooking and blending.	Low, simple sprinkle or add-in.	Low, fewer toppings to prepare.
Allergens	Varies by brand, many are nut-free.	Contains tree nuts (cashews).	Naturally allergen-free.	Contains yeast.	Can be made allergen-free.
Best For	Replicating a traditional, cheesy pizza experience.	A decadent, creamy homemade pizza.	Healthier, whole-food white pizzas.	Adding a savory, parmesan-like kick.	Celebrating the base and toppings, minimal fuss.

Conclusion

While nothing perfectly replicates the exact experience of dairy mozzarella, a fantastic, cheesy-less pizza is more than possible. From the convenience of high-quality store-bought vegan options like Miyoko's and Violife, to the rewarding process of crafting a homemade cashew or cauliflower cream, there is a substitute for every need and preference. You can also embrace the traditional Italian 'marinara' style and forgo cheese altogether, allowing the vibrant flavors of your sauce and toppings to shine. The best substitute ultimately comes down to your personal taste, texture preference, and dietary requirements. For those seeking inspiration, a great resource for exploring different plant-based cheese recipes is available at Rainbow Plant Life. Don't be afraid to experiment to find your perfect pizza topping solution.

Note: When using homemade cashew cheese, always ensure you cook it down on the stovetop with starch to get the desired thick, viscous, and stretchy texture. The heat helps activate the starch, mimicking the melt of traditional cheese.

Frequently Asked Questions

For the best melt, Miyoko's Liquid Vegan Pizza Mozzarella is often rated highly, as it coagulates and browns effectively. Follow Your Heart shredded mozzarella is also known for a decent melt and stretch, reminiscent of classic junk-food pizza cheese.

Yes, nutritional yeast can be sprinkled directly onto pizza for a cheesy, savory, and nutty flavor, similar to parmesan. However, it will not melt or provide the same creamy texture as traditional cheese.

For nut allergies, several options are available. Look for nut-free, oil-and-starch-based vegan cheeses like some varieties from Violife or Daiya. A homemade cauliflower cream sauce is another safe and delicious alternative.

To get a creamy texture without cheese, you can create sauces from plant-based ingredients. Try making a sauce from soaked cashews blended with water and spices, or a thick, velvety puree from cooked cauliflower.

Absolutely. You can opt for a 'tomato pie,' or pizza marinara, which is a traditional Italian style featuring a robust tomato sauce, garlic, oregano, and olive oil, with no cheese at all.

Vegan cheeses have improved significantly but don't perfectly replicate the flavor and texture of dairy cheese. Some brands, like Miyoko's, offer a subtle and agreeable flavor, while others have a more distinct vegan cheese profile. The mouthfeel and melt also differ.

A simple, whole-food option is a creamy cauliflower sauce. It requires only three ingredients—cauliflower, vegetable stock, and salt—to create a silky-smooth and healthy base for your pizza.