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.
The BEST Vegan Mac and Cheese Recipe! (5)

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 and cheese made of? ›

The super creamy sauce still contains a small amount of cashews, but its base is blended yellow potato and sweet potato. The yellow potato gives it a delightful gooey texture, and the sweet potato makes it vibrant orange. Apple cider vinegar, garlic, onion powder, and nutritional yeast perfect its cheesy taste.

How does Gordon Ramsay make the best mac and cheese? ›

Preparation
  1. In a large pot over medium heat, combine the pasta and milk. ...
  2. Once the pasta is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and add the butter, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper. ...
  3. Divide between serving bowls and top with the bread crumbs.
  4. Enjoy!
  5. All your favorite recipes, stored in one place.
May 4, 2023

What does adding more milk to mac and cheese do? ›

Sauce too thick? Stir in a splash of milk and mix until the sauce has loosened up. (This is also a great trick for reheating mac and cheese - if you're microwaving leftovers and the sauce seems to have dried up, stir a splash of milk or half-and-half into the pasta to bring the sauce back to life!)

What not to do when making mac and cheese? ›

Here's what several experts say are the biggest mistakes when it comes to making macaroni and cheese at home and how to avoid making them.
  1. Using Only Cheddar cheese. ...
  2. Not Adding Spice and Seasoning with Salt. ...
  3. Choosing the Wrong Pasta. ...
  4. Overcooking. ...
  5. Skimping on the Toppings.
May 21, 2020

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.

What ingredient is in vegan cheese? ›

What Ingredients Are in 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 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.

What makes mac n cheese so good? ›

Great mac n' cheese needs one or more cheeses that melt well, and one or more cheeses that bring the flavor. The best melters include monterey jack, fontina, baby swiss, asiago, provolone, mozzarella, and alpine-style. Cheeses for flavor: cheddar, havarti, smoked gouda, gorgonzola, feta and any other of your favorites.

Why is evaporated milk better for mac and cheese? ›

Similar recipes call for cooking pasta in milk, which can scorch. Cooking in water and adding evaporated milk toward the end fixes this problem. Evaporated milk contains protein micelles, which help keep an emulsified sauce smooth and creamy.

What happens if you add more butter to mac and cheese? ›

You could start by adding double the butter called for on the box and adjusting as needed -- it may require some trial and error the first time around, but it will be worth it. The result will be a bowl of mac and cheese that is so rich and creamy that you may even forget that it came from a box.

How to keep mac and cheese creamy? ›

You want equal amounts of butter and flour by weight. This is key. Throw in too much flour, and sure the sauce might get thick, but it also might taste floury and be lumpy. Even if you get the roux right, use too much or reduce your sauce down too far, and the macaroni and cheese will turn out dry.

What can I add to mac and cheese to make it taste better? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Your Macaroni and Cheese Dinners
  1. Add extra cheese to your dish.
  2. Mix in some hot sauce and chicken to make buffalo chicken mac n' cheese.
  3. Add in vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
  4. Sprinkle some bacon bits or breadcrumbs on the top of your dish.
  5. Add spices and fresh herbs to your dish.
May 21, 2022

Why does my homemade mac and cheese taste bland? ›

If your mac and cheese tastes bland, it's either because it's under-seasoned, you didn't use flavorful cheese, or you didn't use enough cheese. Try adding a little more salt first, because that might fix it.

What is Mcdonald's vegan cheese made of? ›

What is the vegan alternative to cheese made from? The main ingredients are coconut oil and pea protein. It's a vegan slice that melts and tastes great.

What is veggie mac and cheese made of? ›

What is veggie mac and cheese made of? This simple dish is made with cooked pasta, and a cheesy sauce blended with steamed veggies, sharp cheddar cheese, milk, butter, a bit of flour, and spices.

What is vegan butter made 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.

Does vegan mac and cheese taste the same? ›

Vegan mac and cheese is essentially the same thing as regular mac and cheese, so… pasta with a cheese sauce, duh. BUT it isn't made with cheese. That being said, it still tastes like macaroni and cheese AKA the ultimate comfort food.

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