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 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!)

Is there any actually good vegan cheese? ›

Chao Creamery Vegan Shreds: This is our go-to vegan cheese for grilled cheese sandwiches. The shreds melt great and have a nice mellow, neutral cheesy flavor with no weird aftertaste. Parmela Creamery Shreds: This aged shredded cheddar-style cheese is made from cashew milk and melts well.

What's the best vegan milk? ›

Check out our list of the 5 Best Vegan Milks in North America in 2021.
  1. #1 Oat Drink. Oatly.
  2. #2 Organic Unsweet Soymilk. Silk.
  3. #3 Dark Chocolate Almond Milk. Silk.
  4. #4 Bebida de Almendra sabor Chocolate. Silk.
  5. #5 Holiday Nog Coconutmilk. So Delicious Dairy Free.

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? ›

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.

Is Annie's vegan mac and cheese vegan? ›

Not only does our vegan macaroni and cheese cater to vegans and dairy-free diets, but it is also free from artificial flavours, synthetic colours, and preservatives.

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 and cheese taste 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.

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

Eggs, evaporated milk, and Velveeta help keep it super creamy. We opt to use evaporated milk in this recipe! Using only shredded cheeses can result in a more grainy instead of creamy mac.

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.

Does any vegan cheese taste like cheese? ›

Even though there is no dairy, vegan cheese has the same creaminess, texture, and taste. So, it goes perfectly with pizza, pasta, tacos, and anything you add cheese to.

What cheese is vegan but real? ›

Real Vegan Cheese (RVC) is a grassroots, non-profit research project working to produce real cheese using cellular agriculture. We add the genes for cheese proteins to yeast and other microflora, and turn them into little protein factories, then make real cheese by adding plant-based fats and sugars.

What is the best vegan cheese to melt? ›

Violife Just Like Mature Cheddar Slices

This Violife's vegan cheddar cheese boasts a rich flavor and melts beautifully, acting as one of the best alternatives to dairy cheese in sandwiches or burgers. It is a non-GMO option with a taste similar to mature cheddar.

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