Even in the event you’re not vegan, I feel you’re going to like this vegan mac and cheese recipe. It took me 10+ makes an attempt to get the dairy-free cheese sauce excellent, and because of reader suggestions through the years, it has solely gotten higher.
What you’ll love about this mac and cheese recipe is that it’s simply as quick to organize because the boxed model from the shop. Whereas the pasta cooks, you’ll toss a couple of substances in a blender to make the sauce. When the pasta is finished, the cheese sauce is, too! (No store-bought cheeses required.)
With over 400 five-star opinions, I’m assured you’ll find it irresistible.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Featured Assessment
“This isn’t solely the perfect vegan mac on the market, it’s additionally the simplest! I’ve made this recipe so many instances as written and it’s merely good…” – Audrey
Vegan Mac and Cheese Substances
- Cashews. This recipe requires unsalted, unroasted cashews for essentially the most impartial taste. For those who don’t have a high-speed blender, soak the substances in boiled water for 10 minutes earlier than mixing to assist them break down extra simply.
- Dietary Yeast. Additionally known as “nooch” within the vegan world, these flakes add a tacky taste to the sauce with out utilizing dairy. There’s nothing else fairly like this ingredient, however in a pinch, you can substitute it with a small quantity of white miso, which additionally has a tacky taste.
- Spices. Garlic and chili powder add taste, whereas a pinch of turmeric lends the sauce an orange hue. (However that’s non-compulsory!) Whereas it’d style salty at first, keep in mind that the sauce shall be poured over a pound of pasta, which is able to dilute the flavour.
- Lemon juice. This provides a tangy taste to assist increase the general “tacky” style. Use freshly squeezed lemon juice, slightly than bottled, for the perfect taste.
- Mustard. This provides one other layer of tangy taste and helps emulsify the cheese sauce.
- Pasta. Macaroni noodles prepare dinner quicker than virtually all different pasta shapes, making this a quick-cooking dish. Select gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free recipe.
Find out how to Make Dairy-Free Mac and Cheese
Step 1:
Carry a big pot of salted water to a boil, and prepare dinner the pasta in keeping with the package deal instructions. (I often add a teaspoon of sea salt to the water within the pot.)
Whereas the noodles are cooking, mix the cashews, water, lemon juice, mustard, salt, dietary yeast, and spices in a high-speed blender. Safe the lid and mix till the combination is clean and creamy.
Step 2:
When the noodles are achieved cooking, drain and return the nice and cozy noodles to the massive pot.
Pour the sauce into the pot, and stir over medium warmth till the mac n’ cheese is warmed and the noodles are nicely coated. Modify the seasoning to style, including extra salt or lemon juice as wanted.
If vital, add a couple of tablespoons of water to assist loosen the sauce and make it creamier.
Serve this vegan mac and cheese heat, accompanied by any further toppings you’re keen on. It’s scrumptious with veggies added in, similar to steamed broccoli or mushroom bacon. (Yum!)
Dairy-Free Mac and Cheese Recipe Variations
- Baked Mac and Cheese: Add an additional 1/4 cup of water to this recipe to skinny out the sauce (as a result of it should thicken when baked), then pour the cooked pasta and sauce right into a greased 9-by-13-inch baking dish. For a crumb topping, stir collectively 3/4 cup of breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup of melted vegan butter, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt in a small bowl. Then, sprinkle the combination excessive of your mac and cheese. (Use gluten-free bread crumbs if it is advisable to.) Bake the casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10 minutes. When the timer goes off, flip in your oven’s broiler and let the breadcrumbs brown for 1 to 2 minutes, simply till the topping seems to be golden brown. Watch carefully so it received’t burn! For a gluten-free topping, strive chopped almonds or different crushed nuts.
- Inexperienced Chile Mac and Cheese: Exchange a 1/2 cup of water with a 4-ounce can of inexperienced chilies. You can even add in a couple of slices of jarred jalapenos for further taste and spice. (That is impressed by vegan nacho cheese, which is my favourite vegan cheese dip ever!)
- Miso Mac and Cheese. Do you know that white miso has a taste profile just like Parmesan cheese? For those who don’t have dietary yeast readily available, you’ll be able to add a teaspoon of white miso to this recipe to assist convey out all of the tacky flavors. It’s at all times a good suggestion to begin small with miso, as it will probably overpower a recipe shortly. Begin with simply 1/2 teaspoon in the event you’re uncertain in regards to the taste.
Storage Ideas
Leftovers will be saved in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 5 days. The sauce will thicken when chilled, however ought to skinny out once more when warmed. Add a splash of water to the pasta when heating it on the stovetop for the creamiest outcomes.
Notice: If it is advisable to make this forward of time, I like to recommend making the sauce and storing it individually within the fridge for as much as 5 days. The pasta is finest cooked contemporary, after which you’ll be able to stir within the sauce and warmth it till warmed by.
- 1 ½ cups cashews (not roasted or salted)
- 2 to three tablespoons contemporary lemon juice
- ¾ cup water
- 1 ½ teaspoons tremendous sea salt
- ¼ cup dietary yeast
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- pinch of cayenne pepper (non-compulsory)
- ½ teaspoon spicy brown mustard (non-compulsory)
- 16 ounces Elbow or shell pasta of selection (gluten-free, if wanted)
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Put together the pasta in keeping with the package deal instructions. Add a teaspoon of salt to the cooking water to make the noodles well-seasoned.
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Whereas the pasta is cooking, mix the cashews, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, water, salt, dietary yeast, chili powder, garlic, turmeric, cayenne (if utilizing), and mustard in a high-speed blender. Safe the lid and mix till silky clean. If the combination is just too thick, add one other tablespoon or two of water and mix once more. You possibly can style the sauce, however keep in mind that pouring it over a pound of pasta will dilute the flavour considerably.
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As soon as the pasta is tender, drain and return it to the pot. Stir within the cheese sauce and alter the seasoning to style. Add one other tablespoon of lemon juice to brighten the flavour if wanted. Serve heat with any toppings or add-ins you want, similar to steamed broccoli.
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Leftovers will be saved in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 1 week. The mac and cheese will thicken when chilled, so chances are you’ll want so as to add a splash of water when reheating it on the range prime, plus an additional sprinkle of salt.
Don’t have a excessive pace blender? Use 1 cup of boiled water in that case, and let the cashews soak within the scorching water for a minimum of 10 minutes earlier than mixing. It will assist them break down extra easily.
On the lookout for a nut-free recipe? Attempt Southwest Candy Potato Mac & Cheese, or my nut-free vegan cheese sauce.
Video Notice: I made a mistake within the video for this recipe and used only one cup of cashews. The end result was nonetheless scrumptious, so in case you are quick on cashews, be happy to strive utilizing that quantity with out altering the quantity of different substances.
Replace Notice: This recipe was up to date in November 2024 with new photographs and the choice to make use of 1 much less tablespoon of lemon juice, based mostly on reader suggestions. You possibly can see the unique recipe right here.
Energy: 352kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 13g | Fats: 12g | Saturated Fats: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 2g | Monounsaturated Fats: 6g | Sodium: 449mg | Potassium: 325mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 38IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 3mg
Extra Recipes to Attempt
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