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

The BEST Vegan Mac and Cheese Recipe! (3)

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

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 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.

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

Key #2: Use Evaporated Milk

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.

What is vegan mac and cheese made of? ›

How to Make Vegan Mac and Cheese. First, make the vegan cheese sauce. Simmer sweet potatoes and potatoes until tender. Then, drain them, and add them to a blender with raw cashews, nutritional yeast, garlic, onion powder, apple cider vinegar, sea salt, water, and olive oil.

What is the most perfect cheese to use on Mac & cheese? ›

Sharp Cheddar

With a fairly low melting point, cheddar keeps things smooth. It's also got the classic taste you're looking for and expecting with mac and cheese. Sharp cheddar is ideal because its flavor is strongest, but the most important to thing to remember is to always buy cheddar in a block and grate your own!

What cheeses not to use for mac and cheese? ›

Feta, queso fresco and paneer

As delicious as feta is in a salad or sprinkled over soup, this dry and crumbly cheese just isn't ideal for mac and cheese. Feta has a high moisture level and doesn't melt properly, so it would clump rather than give you a smooth sauce.

What kind of milk is best for 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.

Does rinsing shredded cheese make it melt better? ›

If you are planning on melting it, there's one extra step you need to perform. You need to rinse it. To keep shredded cheese from sticking together and clumping in the package, manufacturers add cellulose as an anti-caking agent.

What vegan milk is best for mac and cheese? ›

Cashew milk is a good mac and cheese milk substitute because it is a bit thicker than almond or soy milk, and cashews are a bit savory naturally. To make mac and cheese with cashew milk, add the cashew milk in a 1:1 swap for regular milk!

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

Heavy whipping cream (or half and half) is the perfect substitute for milk in mac and cheese. This is actually a great option! The thicker consistency will produce a dreamy, creamy sauce that everyone will love. The flavor is bolder and richer, too, and you may enjoy it more than the original.

Can you use sour cream instead of milk in mac and cheese? ›

It actually works very well! This is the best substitute because the cream cheese serves as a binder and thickening agent, the sour cream lightens the mixture and adds tanginess, and the pasta water (you could also use chicken broth) thins it out into a creamy consistency while adding binding power.

Is Annie's vegan mac and cheese vegan? ›

Crafted with plant-based ingredients, our rich and creamy vegan cheese sauce offers a smooth texture without compromising on taste or quality. This certified organic vegan mac and cheese is made from the finest ingredients, ensuring a healthy and nutritious meal that you can feel confident about.

Does Annie's make vegan mac and cheese? ›

Made with Goodness:

One 6 oz box of Annie's Vegan Mac Rice Pasta and Cheddar Flavor Dinner with Organic Gluten Free Pasta. Deliciously creamy plant-based, gluten free macaroni and cheese alternative made with rice pasta and cheddar-flavored seasoning.

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.

What are the ingredients in Gordon Food Service mac and cheese? ›

COOKED ENRICHED MACARONI PRODUCT (WATER, SEMOLINA [MILLED WHEAT, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID]), WATER, CHEDDAR CLUB CHEESE (CHEDDAR CHEESE [CULTURED PASTEURIZED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES], WATER, SALT, ANNATTO [COLOR]), CHEDDAR CHEESE (PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES ...

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.

What kind of cheese does Gordon Ramsay use? ›

Ramsay's recipe calls for Romano cheese with Pepperberry, Asiago cheese, thick slices of country bread, and kimchi. Some standard butter, olive oil, and salt are also in the mix. I went to my local grocery store, Foodtown, to see if I could find the slightly upscale ingredients. I had to purchase a few alternatives.

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