The BEST Vegan Mac and Cheese Recipe! (2024)

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Nothing beats a bowl of noodles enrobed with a cauliflower cashew “cheesy” sauce. This vegan mac and cheese recipe is the definition of comfort! Topped with toasted breadcrumbs, it’s NEXT LEVEL!

The BEST Vegan Mac and Cheese Recipe! (1)

Okay, I’ll give you a minute.

To soak this recipe in.

VEGAN mac and cheese! It’s quite a challenge. To make a dish that relies solely on dairy to give it all the flavor. But alas, a cheesy dish without the cheese!

What gives this vegan mac and cheese recipe a cheesy taste?

Well, a few ingredients, but cauliflower and cashews give it a good base.

The BEST Vegan Mac and Cheese Recipe! (2)

Ingredients for vegan mac and cheese

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How to make vegan cheese for mac and cheese

  1. Start by melting the butter in a pan and adding the nutritional yeast and seasonings
  2. Add the almond milk and bring it to a gentle simmer
  3. Add the cauliflower and cashews and simmer for about 20 minutes
  4. Transfer the mixture to a high power blender and blend until super smooth
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How to make this vegan mac and cheese recipe

Now that the cheese sauce is made, it’s time to combine it with some noodles!

  1. Cook your noodles according to the package (I like macaroni or mini shells for mac and cheese).
  2. Drain the noodles and transfer them to a big bowl. Add the cheese sauce and give it a good stir.
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How to make toasted breadcrumbs

  1. Melt butter in a pan over low-medium heat
  2. Add breadcrumbs and toast until golden brown (5-7 minutes) stirring frequently

Add-ins for Vegan Mac and Cheese

Don’t get me wrong, mac and cheese is pretty magical on it’s own. However, you can really take your mac and cheese to the next level by adding some ingredients!

  • Steamed broccoli (highly recommend)
  • Cooked and chopped asparagus
  • Diced green chilis (highly recommend)
  • Pickled jalapenos
  • Hot sauce! (Tabasco, Frank’s red hot, or even Sriracha are all solid options)

Can vegan mac and cheese be made gluten-free?

YUP! One of my favorite pasta is actually Banza chickpea pasta. Just use this instead of regular pasta to make this recipe GF

You can also use gluten-free breadcrumbs instead of panko.

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This vegan mac and cheese recipe is so easy to make and the BEST substitute for the real deal! Don’t take it from me, try it for yourself! 😉

If you tried this vegan mac and cheese recipe, let me know in the comments below and share a photo using #mindfulavocado. I’d love to hear from you! Want to see more recipes? Let’s get social! CONNECT WITH ME on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest to see what I’m currently cooking up!

If you like this recipe, you’ll LOVE:
Creamy Vegan Alfredo Sauce
Vegan Cheddar Bay Biscuits

The BEST Vegan Mac and Cheese Recipe! (8)

Vegan Mac and Cheese

So EASY to make and so comforting! An amazing cheese sauce made with nutritional yeast, cashews, and cauliflower mixed with macaroni is the best plant-based comfort meal. Topped with buttery breadcrumbs, it's NEXT LEVEL!

5 from 13 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine: American

Keyword: dairy free mac and cheese, healthy mac and cheese, homemade mac and cheese, vegan mac and cheese

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 361kcal

Author: Amanda

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces uncooked pasta I like elbow macaroni or shells; can substitute with a GF brand

Cheese Sauce:

  • 1/3 cup vegan butter I like Earth Balance
  • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1.5 teaspoons salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 3 cups almond milk
  • 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
  • 3 cups cauliflower
  • 1+1/4 cups raw cashews

Breadcrumbs:

  • 2 Tablespoons vegan butter
  • 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs can substitute with a GF brand

Tools:

Instructions

To Make Cheese Sauce:

  • Melt butter in a large pan over medium heat.

  • Add nutritional yeast, garlic, paprika, garlic powder, turmeric, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Stir until seasonings are well mixed and fragrant (about 1 minute).

  • Pour in almond milk and dijon mustard, Scraping bottom of the pan for any brown bits stuck. Bring to a gentle simmer.

  • Add cauliflower and cashews and simmer for 20 mins.

  • Transfer to a blender and blend until completely smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

To Make Pasta:

  • Cook pasta according to instructions. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of cooking water. Set the cooking water aside.

  • Place cooked pasta in the pot the sauce was made in over low-medium heat. Pour cheese sauce on top and mix until well combined. Use the reserved cooking water to thin out the sauce if needed.

To Make Breadcrumbs:

  • In a small nonstick pan, melt 2 Tablespoons butter.

  • Add breadcrumbs and cook until toasted and golden brown (about 5-7 minutes).

Assemble:

  • Place mac and cheese in a bowl. Top with toasted breadcrumbs and enjoy!

  • Leftovers keep in the fridge for about a week.

Notes

The cheese sauce can be freezed in the freezer for about 3 months. Simply let thaw in the fridge overnight and heat up in a sauce pan when ready to eat.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving (1/8 recipe) | Calories: 361kcal | Carbohydrates: 42.8g | Protein: 12.9g | Fat: 16.5g | Saturated Fat: 3.6g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 628mg | Potassium: 527mg | Fiber: 3.4g | Sugar: 1.9g | Calcium: 257mg | Iron: 5mg

Please note this post may contain affiliate links which does not impact the cost to you, but gives me a small commission. Thank you for your support!

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The BEST Vegan Mac and Cheese Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

What is vegan mac n cheese made of? ›

The BEST vegan mac and cheese recipe! Sweet potatoes, potatoes, and cashews blend into a luscious, creamy sauce with a crave-worthy cheesy flavor.

What's the best milk to use in mac and cheese? ›

Any milk is fine. I usually use whole milk, then add some cream, sometimes, just to make it richer. Then you add the cheese of your choice, and melt that, then put the cooked macaroni in. If you are used to using evaporated milk, it's because it makes the sauce a little creamier/richer.

What is a vegan substitute for milk in mac and cheese? ›

Almond milk is a popular plant-based milk that's a great substitute for regular cow's milk. It has a nutty flavor, which can add a subtle richness to your mac and cheese. As it's used as a common milk substitute, you can simply put the same amount of almond milk as you'd put regular milk.

Does vegan mac and cheese taste the same? ›

All vegan mac and cheese has its own flavor based on what you use for the sauce, but this one is pretty straightforward. Flavor-wise, the nutritional yeast drives the bus with a nutty, umami-ish, salty cheeze vibe, and the taste of the sauce will vary slightly with the type of milk you use.

What are the 3 best cheeses for mac and cheese? ›

What Is the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese? Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

Why is evaporated milk better for mac and cheese? ›

Evaporated milk is a highly concentrated source of milk protein micelles—bundles of proteins that can act as powerful emulsifying agents—which help to keep the sauce creamy and smooth.

Is heavy cream or evaporated milk better for mac and cheese? ›

It is better to use heavy cream for Mac and Cheese instead of milk, or better yet, use evaporated milk which has the thickness of heavy cream without all of the fat! Furthermore, it is more stable than heavy cream so your Macaroni and Cheese is less likely to curdle or separate.

What makes mac and cheese taste so good? ›

1. It takes two cheeses to tango with mac. For really great macaroni and cheese, you need a cheese that melts well and a cheese that packs a punch. A few cheeses do both (that's a shout out to you, cheddar, emmentaler, and your other alpine-style, fondue favorites).

What black chef invented mac and cheese? ›

You can thank James Hemings, the enslaved chef of Thomas Jefferson, for the mac and cheese on your table. The truth behind America's favorite cheesy pasta dish.

How can I keep my mac and cheese creamy? ›

Add more milk if you haven't already. More milk leads to less dry mac and cheese. If that doesn't work and you've already tried, use a different type of cheese. Velveeta works well.

What the heck is vegan cheese? ›

Vegan cheeses are 100% animal-free and made using vegetable proteins. Usually, they're made from soy; nuts, such as cashews and macadamias; and vegetable oils, such as coconut oil. You can also find cheeses that derive from agar, tapioca, peas and arrowroot.

What is vegan butter made out of? ›

Vegan butter is a non-dairy butter substitute made from plant-based ingredients. It is typically made from a blend of vegetable oils such as coconut, palm, or soybean and other natural ingredients such as nuts, seeds, and even algae. This makes it a great alternative for those who: Follow a vegan diet.

Is vegan and dairy Free the same thing? ›

A vegan diet excludes all animal products, including dairy, eggs, meat, and fish, whereas a dairy-free diet bans all milk products but not necessarily any other animal products. While all vegan foods are inherently dairy-free, not all dairy-free foods are vegan.

What are the ingredients in Amy's vegan mac and cheese? ›

FILTERED WATER, ORGANIC RICE PASTA (ORGANIC RICE FLOUR, FILTERED WATER), ORGANIC VEGAN CHEDDAR-STYLE CHEEZE (FILTERED WATER, ORGANIC POTATO AND CORN STARCH, ORGANIC COCONUT OIL, SEA SALT, ORGANIC GROUND SUNFLOWER KERNELS, NATURAL FLAVOR, ORGANIC FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CONCENTRATE [CARROT, PUMPKIN AND APPLE], ORGANIC ...

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