Recipe for Velveeta
Cheese Substitute

A recipe for Velveeta Cheese substitute is a great way to enjoy your favorite recipes that call for Velveeta Cheese without the extra cost or chemicals. Better still, it's made from real cheddar cheese. 

I have always loved cheesy dips made with Velveeta, and broccoli rice casserole is one of my all-time favorites.  But I hate the idea of eating any processed foods, and I especially hate feeding them to my children. 

This homemade Velveeta Cheese substitute had a sharp cheddar taste.  Yummy!

You can imagine my joy, then, when I stumbled onto this recipe for Velveeta cheese substitute.

It tastes exactly like the store-bought version but at almost half the cost; you can make about three pounds of this for $7.50 or $2.50 per pound. 

The store-bought version costs around $4.18 per pound.

This recipe for Velveeta cheese has the same great taste for half the cost and without the chemicals.

For this recipe, I bought a box of Knox Unflavored Gelatine with four little packets inside for about $1.75 at the time of this writing.  that's about six teaspoons of powdered gelatine at a cost of about 30 cents per teaspoon.

Because I really like this recipe and can see the usefulness of knowing how to make homemade Velveeta cheese substitute, I am thinking of investing in a pound of gelatine powder, bringing my cost down to about 7 cents per teaspoon.

The gelatine will last for years, and I can use it in other recipes as well.

Gelatine powder, bought in bulk, can save you a ton of money.

This is also a great way to cut chemicals out of your diet.  The homemade version has cheddar cheese, powdered milk, water and gelatin.   Period.  The store-bought version, on the other hand, also has sodium phosphate, maltodextrin, sodium alginate, sodium citrate, apocarotenal and annatto (color). 

I know it’s unrealistic to cut chemicals completely out of our diets, but the fewer chemicals we consume, the better, including artificial coloring.  Even though they have been approved for use in the United States, nine of the food dyes currently being used in the US are linked to all kinds of ailments, including cancer, hyperactivity, and allergy-like reactions. Do you really want to feed those to your children? Do you want to eat them? 

I don't, and that's why I love this recipe. Really, it only takes a few extra minutes to make this, and it’s well worth the extra time and effort.  So without further ado, here’s the recipe for Velveeta Cheese substitute.

Recipe for Velveeta
Cheese Substitute

Here's what you will need:

  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, preferably at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup extremely hot water
  • 3 tablespoons powdered milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon unflavored gelatin powder

You will also need either a blender or a food processor.

(I bought my powdered milk in bulk and then stored it into vacuumed-sealed jars. It can last for years that way, especially if you keep them in a cool, dark area.)

How to Make a Velveeta
Cheese Substitute

Grate the cheese and allow it to sit out at room temperature for about an hour.  This helps the cheese to blend better.

Line a bowl or other container with plastic wrap.

Pour the extremely hot water into the blender and add the powdered milk and the gelatin powder. 

Blend until the gelatin is completely dissolved, about a minute. 

Then quickly add the shredded cheese. 

Process until it is completely blended, about two or three minutes.

The cheese will set up pretty quickly.

Pour it into the lined container and spread it smooth.  Then cover it with more plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator, preferably overnight.

Use this Velveeta Cheese substitute in casseroles, dips and any recipe calling for Velveeta cheese. 

Related Articles

Have you ever had homemade sauerkraut? This recipe is simple to make and is a delicious addition to salads. Learn how to make your own sauerkraut here.

Did you get a bumper crop of tomatoes from your garden this year? Save money and avoid the chemicals by making your own ketchup. Learn how to make ketchup here.

Have you ever thought of making cheese? Mozzarella cheese is simple to make. All you need are a few ingredients and a microwave. Learn how to make mozzarella cheese from raw milk here.

Don't buy those commercially made crackers for you and your family. They're loaded with chemicals and preservatives. Make your own homemade cheese crackers here.

Learn More About Healthy, Frugal Cooking

Return to Home

About the Author

My name is Sue Merriam, and I began the journey of self-reliant living more than three decades ago, which enabled me to stay home with my children. Fifteen years ago, I founded Joyful Homesteading to help others save money and face the future without fear. My goal is to give you practical, honest advice so you can save money and experience the joy of simple living. I hope you join me.

Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.