Velveeta is a branded, processed cheese product made of whey, milk protein concentrate, milk, fat, flavoring, and coloring.
With a mild flavor and a smooth consistency that melts easily, Velveeta is commonly used in recipes for cheese sauces, dips, quesadillas, macaroni and cheese, and other dishes made with melted cheese.
Cheeses that melt easily and have a similar flavor to Velveeta make good substitutes because the consistency of these cheeses when melted is similar to that of Velveeta.
Best Substitute for Velveeta: Homemade Velveeta
The best substitute for Velveeta is homemade Velveeta because homemade Velveeta is easy to make. This recreation has the same taste and consistency as the original. Here is an easy recipe for homemade Velveeta:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1½ teaspoons gelatin
- ⅓ cup milk powder
- 1 pound grated cheddar cheese
Line a loaf tin with cling wrap. Pour the boiling water into a blender and add the gelatin and milk powder. Blend for five seconds. Add the grated cheese and blend for another five seconds. Pour into the prepared tin, cover with cling wrap, and place in the fridge to set for eight hours.
Use homemade Velveeta as a 1:1 substitute in any recipe that calls for Velveeta.
Other Velveeta Substitutes, Alternatives, and Replacements
Below are some other cheeses and processed cheese products that can be used in place of Velveeta.
American Cheese
American cheese originated in Switzerland and was originally made from cheddar cheese. This cheese makes an excellent substitute for Velveeta because American cheese also melts easily, is processed, and has a mild taste and creamy texture similar to Velveeta.
Substitute American cheese for Velveeta at a 1:1 ratio in recipes for sauces, dips, and pasta dishes.
Cheddar Cheese
Cheddar cheese, a popular English cheese that can be traced back to the 12th century, works as a replacement for Velveeta because of cheddar’s creamy texture. Like Velveeta, cheddar cheese melts easily.
Cheddar comes in different strengths, from mild to extra sharp. All cheddars work as substitutes for Velveeta in macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, and cheese sauces.
Mild cheddar can replace Velveeta at a 1:1 ratio, but use slightly less cheddar if you use sharp or extra sharp cheddar, to prevent the flavor from being overpowering. Adding cream or milk to the dish tempers the strong flavor of cheddar.
Emmental
Emmental is a Swiss yellow cheese with a creamy texture and buttery flavor that is made from cow’s milk. This medium-hard cheese melts easily and makes a good substitute for Velveeta in cheese fondues, gratins, casseroles, and pasta dishes.
Because this cheese melts easily, it’s ideal for grilled cheese sandwiches. Use emmantal as a 1:1 replacement for Velveeta.
Gruyère
Gruyère is a hard Swiss cheese made from cow’s milk that dates back to the 1600s. The cheese has a salty, nutty flavor and good melting properties. This cheese is a suitable replacement for Velveeta.
Use gruyère as a 1:1 replacement for Velveeta in fondues, sauces, gratins, and casseroles.
Gouda
Gouda is a Dutch yellow cheese with a creamy texture and a sweet flavor. Although it’s not as spicy, gouda can replace Velveeta in most recipes because gouda is also made from cow’s milk, melts easily, and has a smooth consistency when melted.
Use gouda as a 1:1 substitute in macaroni and cheese, sauces, dips, and fondues. Add some cream or milk to thin the sauce if the melted gouda is too thick.
Monterey Jack
Monterey Jack, originally created in Monterey County, California, is a semi-hard cow’s milk cheese with a mild flavor and good melting properties. These qualities make this cheese a good substitute for Velveeta.
Replace Velveeta with Monterey Jack at a 1:1 ratio in macaroni and cheese, quesadillas, casseroles, and enchiladas.
Pepper Jack
Pepper Jack, a variety of Monterey Jack, is a semi-soft cheese flavored with peppers, chili, garlic, and rosemary. This cheese can replace Velveeta but provides a stronger flavor.
Use less pepper Jack when substituting for Velveeta in sauces, dips, quesadillas, and macaroni and cheese dishes.
Colby Cheese
Colby is a mild-flavored, firm cheese that melts easily and works as a replacement for Velveeta because Colby has a similar creamy texture. Named for its city of origin, Colby, Wisconsin, this cheese is made from cow’s milk.
Use Colby as a 1:1 replacement for Velveeta in macaroni and cheese, sauces, dips, fondues, and grilled cheese sandwiches.
Eden Cheese
A soft, processed cheese with a velvety texture, Eden cheese works well as a Velveeta substitute. Eden cheese also has a mild flavor and a creamy consistency and melts easily.
Use Eden cheese as a 1:1 substitute in macaroni and cheese, dips, sauces, and any other recipes with melted cheese.
Mozzarella Cheese
Mozzarella cheese — a soft, white-colored Italian cheese — is a suitable replacement for Velveeta because mozzarella melts easily and has a smooth, creamy texture.
Use mozzarella as a 1:1 replacement in macaroni and cheese, pizza, sauces, and dips. However, mozzarella has a milder flavor than Velveeta, so add some extra spices and seasonings for flavor.
Cheez Whiz
Cheez Whiz is a bottled, processed cheese spread that can replace Velveeta in sauces and dips because Cheez Whiz has a similar mild flavor and creamy texture to Velveeta.
Using this spread as an equal substitute for Velveeta in sauces and dips will result in a thinner sauce. If the sauce is too thin, whisk in a little flour for thickening.
