Vegan Macaroni and Cheese Recipe - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (2024)

Vegan Macaroni and Cheese Recipe - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (1)

This vegan macaroni and cheese recipe was developed exclusively for Nuts.com and our customers by Miryam Quinn Doblas, Registered Dietitian (RD). Miryam shares her passion for food and nutrition on her website, Eat Good 4 Life.

Vegan Macaroni and Cheese Recipe - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (2)

Both vegans and non-vegans will be asking for seconds of this delicious dairy-free mac and cheese dish. A healthy spin on the ultimate comfort food, this recipe is easy to whip up for any party, potluck or just a quiet night at home. My kids love the combination of this creamy sauce over artisanal pasta, so I know your whole family will enjoy it too, whether they’re vegan or not!

For the luxurious “cheesy” sauce, I blended a combination of raw cashews, nutritional yeastand spices. Simply soak the cashews ahead of time for easy blending. I love that the ingredients in this sauce create an ideal flavor, creaminess and texture, while supplying a boost of health benefits.

Vegan Macaroni and Cheese Recipe - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (3)

Cashews are an excellent source of heart-protective monounsaturated fatty acids, protein and iron. Nutritional yeast is also a health star in this recipe and is popular among vegans in general because it provides a rich source of vitamin B12. It has a savory, cheese-like flavor that makes it a staple of many vegan “cheese” products. Enhanced with spices like turmeric, which contains the active anti-inflammatory compound curcumin, this sauce is truly a nutritional powerhouse.

Vegan Macaroni and Cheese Recipe - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (4)

Once I finished whipping up the sauce, I poured it over these cavatappi.The perfect shape for a macaroni and cheese dish, this artisanal elbow pasta is simply delightful, especially when cooked to “al dente.” I even added fresh spinach to the recipe for an extra boost of color and of course, nutrition. Feel free to use any kind of veggies you like though. Peas, broccoli or cauliflower would work equally well.

Vegan Macaroni and Cheese Recipe - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (5)

Make this vegan macaroni and cheese recipe ahead of time and pack it for work or school lunches. It’ll make a great addition to your weeknight dinner rotation, too. The sauce can even just be used as a dairy-free dip for chips or dressing for veggies. Rich and satisfying, this dish will not disappoint. Enjoy!

Vegan Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Category: Cooking & Baking, Recipes, Vegan

Servings: 4 servings

Vegan Macaroni and Cheese Recipe - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (6)

Ingredients

  • 12 oz Cavatappi
  • 12 oz fresh spinach

    Vegan “Cheese” Sauce

  • 1 1/4 cup Raw Cashews, soaked*
  • 1/4 cup Nutritional Yeast
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1/4 tsp Turmeric
  • 1/4 tsp mustard powder
  • 1/2 cup water
  • Juice of half a lemon

Instructions

  1. To cook pasta, bring 4-5 quarts of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the white elbow pasta and stir for one minute. Lightly boil for 8-10 minutes or until “al dente.” Set aside.
  2. Place the vegan cheese ingredients in your food processor and pulse until you obtain a smooth, even consistency. If you find that the mixture is too dry, you can add more water.
  3. Place fresh spinach in a large mixing bowl and add the cooked pasta as well as the vegan cheese sauce. Mix thoroughly and serve.

Notes

*Cover cashews in water and soak for a minimum of two hours prior to making the sauce. Drain and rinse thoroughly.

https://blog.nuts.com/vegan-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe/

This recipe was developed and photographed exclusively for Nuts.com by Miryam Quinn Doblas, RD, of Eat Good 4 Life.

Vegan Macaroni and Cheese Recipe - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (7)

5 Responses to “Vegan Macaroni and Cheese Recipe”

  1. Vegan Macaroni and Cheese Recipe - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (8)Liz

    My mother used to make a “cheese sauce” very similar to this when I was growing up. My kids now make it in their homes. The only difference is that we used red pepper instead of black and we added (1 t.) onion powder and (1/4 t.) celery seed. We found that also adding a little oil gave it a smoother taste and texture.

    Reply
  • Vegan Macaroni and Cheese Recipe - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (9)Peyton

    Sounds delicious, Liz! Thanks for sharing with us.

    Reply
    • Vegan Macaroni and Cheese Recipe - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (10)Mary Luna Hollen

      Txs so much for the vegan mac & cheese recipe & for using RDs!

      Reply
  • Vegan Macaroni and Cheese Recipe - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (11)Sally

    Glad I bought raw cashews the other day! This is delicious!! I made it exactly by the recipe, but looking forward to trying the variations.

    Reply
  • Vegan Macaroni and Cheese Recipe - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (12)Mary Luketich

    I made this part of Christmas Dinner, substituting ground sunflower seeds for the cashews! It was a hit!

    Reply
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    Vegan Macaroni and Cheese Recipe - The Nutty Scoop from Nuts.com (2024)

    FAQs

    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.

    Does almond milk work for mac and cheese? ›

    Yes, almond milk works great for mac and cheese! Just be sure to get an unsweetened version. If it doesn't say “unsweetened” or “no sugar”, it is likely that it's a sweetened version. Do NOT use regular/sweetened almond milk since this will make the mac and cheese sweet, which is hard to neutralize.

    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.

    How do you make Gordon Ramsay 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 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.

    Is Annie's vegan mac and cheese vegan? ›

    Wholesome. And totally vegan. Here at Annie's, we're on a mission to make more yum for everybunny. Because whether you're vegan or just diggin' a plant-based diet, you still deserve deliciousness.

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

    It will be richer and creamier. It's actually a very good substitute for regular milk. I've often used evaporated milk in mac&cheese which makes it better than milk. Both heavy cream and evaporated milk are much better in mashed potatoes, too!

    What can replace milk in mac and cheese? ›

    To make mac and cheese without milk, the best choice is to find something that has a similar texture and a milk flavor. Things like heavy cream, almond milk, oat milk, yogurt, cream cheese, and even pasta water all work very well in boxed mac and cheese.

    Can I use water instead of milk to make mac and cheese? ›

    Yes! You most definitely can use water in place of milk in any pasta recipe including mac and cheese. It is how I make mine, in fact, and it is just as healthy and delicious. The thing is that it will make it not as creamy and perhaps less thick.

    What makes vegan cheese taste like cheese? ›

    Nuts, such as cashews or almonds, are often used as they contain a lot of natural fat that gives a creamy texture once blended. Many brands also use a vegan lactic acid to add the tang and umami that gives that quintessential cheese flavour.

    Does Trader Joe's have vegan mac and cheese? ›

    Trader Joe's Vegan Mac and Cheese has sparked elation coupled with the tiniest bit of hesitation. Of course, we're thrilled the product exists, but we stopped short of lunging at the shelves when we eyed the saucy tub in the prepared foods section; the ever-so-slight greyish tint admittedly gave us pause.

    What is in Daiya mac and cheese? ›

    Brown Rice Pasta (Brown Rice, Rice Bran), Filtered Water, Tapioca Flour, Expeller Pressed Safflower Oil, Coconut Oil, Salt, Natural Flavors, Pea Protein, Tricalcium Phosphate, Cane Sugar, Lactic Acid, Yeast Extract, Xanthan Gum, Annatto Color, Onion.

    What's in Bob Evans mac and cheese? ›

    Cooked Enriched Pasta (Water, Elbow Macaroni [Semolina (Wheat), Niacin, Iron (Ferrous Sulfate), Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid]), Milk, Water, Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread (American Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Water, Whey, Sodium Phosphate, Contains Less than 2% of ...

    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.

    What is vegan cheese made out of? ›

    The ingredients used in vegan cheese vary depending on the type of cheese being made and the desired texture and flavor. The most commonly used ingredients include plant-based milk, nutritional yeast, agar agar, tapioca starch, coconut oil, cashews, and chickpea flour.

    What makes vegan cheese cheese? ›

    Vegan cheese is usually made from soy, nuts, vegetable oils, and various other natural ingredients like peas or arrowroot. Vegan cheese is seen as a healthier alternative to cheese by some, and may reduce your risk of heart disease due to its lower content of fat.

    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.

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