The Ultimate Vegan Mac + Cheese
The Ultimate Vegan Mac + Cheese
Prepare to be amazed by this Ultimate Vegan Mac + Cheese recipe--It is by far more than a fork full of goodness! Super creamy, 'cheesy', and loaded with flavor, this 'Mac + Cheese" is made from organic shells, savory umami seasonings, nutritional yeast, and cashews soaked overnight (which makes the cream cheese base). A beautiful twist on a classic dish that is sure to be a staple in your household. Completely vegan. Gluten-Free + Nut-Free options.
What Makes This Vegan Mac + Cheese SO GOOD?
Now, if you've been following Orchids + Sweet Tea, you'll know that I'm a true Southern girl who absolutely adores flavor! So, naturally, Mac + Cheese holds a special place on my list of all-time favorites. In fact, I've already shared a bunch of incredible mac and cheese recipes, like Baked Vegan Buffalo Mac + Cheese, Stovetop Southern Mac and Cheese, Easy Vegan Pumpkin Mac + Cheese, and of course The BEST Southern Baked Mac and Cheese.
Growing up, I used to love this stuff. I mean, eating an entire bowl of Mac + Cheese was nothing for me. Plus, in the South, this stuff is almost always prepared during every cookout, gathering, or occasion, so how could I not be obsessed, right?
Now, y'all probably already know that I'm all about whipping up healthier versions of our beloved classics, and I do try to keep my dairy consumption in check. So, it felt like high time to dive into the challenge of creating the Ultimate Vegan Mac + Cheese—one that's just as creamy and 'cheesy' as the original deal. And trust me, whether you're a die-hard vegan or not, this one's going to win your heart! It's purely indulge worthy for the entire family----kids + adults like! Need some more southern food inspiration? Look no further than our lineup of 21 Soul-Satisfying Southern Comfort Food Recipes.
Jump to:
- What Makes This Vegan Mac + Cheese SO GOOD?
- How to Make Vegan Mac and Cheese
- The Secret to Creamy Vegan Mac + Cheese
- Healthy Vegan Mac and Cheese
- Can I Use This Vegan Sauce for Other Recipes?
- Topping Ideas for Vegan Mac + Cheese
- Adding More Protein
- Making Homemade Breadcrumbs
- What Are Delicious Foods to Pair Vegan Mac + Cheese With?
- Choosing Your Perfect Pasta
- The Ultimate Vegan Mac + Cheese Q + A's
- My Fave Vegan Recipes To Try Next
- MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
- The Ultimate Vegan Mac + Cheese
How to Make Vegan Mac and Cheese
If you’re used to making mac and cheese from solely melted cheese, this recipe may be a bit different from what you’re used to. Its base comes from a vegan cream cheese sauce that is made from blended cashews and then the remaining ingredients are stirred together for a nice creaminess.
INGREDIENT
The ingredients for this vegan mac and cheese recipe are pretty standard, and you may have most of them at home right now!
- Shells or Elbow pasta. You can use a different short noodle if you like also.
- Almond milk. Of course you can always use your favorite plant-based milk.
- Cashews. I like to do a quick soak for 30 minutes with boiling water, but you can also soak them overnight.
- Seasonings + spices. It’s important to use several different varieties of seasonings for the best flavor.
- Vegetable stock. This adds a nice amount of creaminess to the dish.
- Ground mustard. This is also mostly for its bright yellow color. You can omit the mustard powder if you don’t have it or substitute with regular dijon mustard.
SHOP MY FAVORITE BAKEWARE ITEMS AND ACCESSORIES FOR THIS MAC + CHEESE!
Here, I’ve curated a list of cooking + baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods or cooked meals, especially with this Vegan Mac + Cheese. Everything from my fave dutch pot/oven, wooden spoons, immersion hand-blender, mixing bowls, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
The Secret to Creamy Vegan Mac + Cheese
This silky sauce is spectacular when paired with macaroni. The sauce is thick and rich thanks to homemade vegan cream cheese made with soaked raw cashews. It is seasoned with apple cider vinegar, lemon, and rosemary. The next step to the perfect vegan cheese sauce is to make a roux. I made a roux using vegan butter and flour before adding almond milk and the homemade vegan cream cheese.
These two sauce methods combine to make the perfect silky sauce. Cheesy flavor is added with a homemade Cajun spice mix and nutritional yeast. You can’t make a vegan cheese sauce without nutritional yeast! For extra cheesy flavor, you can always add in dairy-free shreds.
Healthy Vegan Mac and Cheese
Whelp, I must say that making a vegan version was by far AMAZING! Now, the twist is that I chose to use cashews as my 'sauce' versus vegan cheese, which is rather interesting by the way.
When using vegan cheese (which is ever so often), I enjoy using So Delicious Dairy-Free or Violife's non-dairy shreds. The great thing is that the shreds come in a variety of flavors--cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack, and classic.
Personally, although I use the shreds in certain dishes, I'm just not a huge fan of the way they often melt.
Can I Use This Vegan Sauce for Other Recipes?
YES! Feel free to use this creamy sauce for other vegan dishes that require a cheese sauce. You can also keep the vegan cream cheese in the fridge for gluten-free bagels.
Some vegan dishes you can use this sauce with are:
- Mexican dishes like Loaded Sheet Pan Dairy-Free Nacho Cheese Fries
- Dip/crudite
- Grilled cheese
- Broccoli side dish
- Baked potatoes
- Charcuterie
Topping Ideas for Vegan Mac + Cheese
While I love this Vegan Mac + Cheese Recipe dinner as-is, straight from the pan, you can dress it up with toppings if you like.
For extra flavor, color, and texture, you can try:
- Herb roasted tomatoes
- Kale
- Candied bacon (if you're a meat eater)
- Black olives
- Grated lemon zest --adds a zesty, citrusy twist that brightens up the dish.
- Toasted panko bread crumbs
If you discover a new favorite topping idea, be sure to let me know in the comments section below!
Adding More Protein
If you'd like to add protein to this Vegan Mac + Cheese dish, it's easy to do, regardless of your diet!
Plant-based protein options:
- Crispy seared or baked tofu cubes
- Roasted chickpeas
- Crumbled stir-fried seitan
- Crumble vegan bacon on top
- Sautéed cauliflower florets or broccoli
- Sautéed asparagus, Brussels sprouts, etc.
Meat-based protein options:
If you're a seafood lover, feel free to swap out the chicken for these delightful options!
- Shredded chicken
- Salmon
- Shrimp
- Lobster
- Fish (fried, grilled, baked, etc.)
Making Homemade Breadcrumbs
If you'd like to add additional crunch to the top of your mac and cheese, then I recommend adding breadcrumbs. Store-bought breadcrumbs will work just fine on your baked mac and cheese. But it’s also very easy to make your own!
Here’s how I make breadcrumbs at home:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Grind 1-2 cups of cubed bread into a food processor until finely chopped.
- Place crumbs onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and spread out evenly. Bake for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once brown + crisp, remove from oven and let cool.
You can store leftover breadcrumbs in a tightly sealed container at room temperature.
What Are Delicious Foods to Pair Vegan Mac + Cheese With?
When it comes to serving this mouthwatering Vegan Mac + Cheese there are some options that will truly elevate your meal. First off, don't forget to have some bread on hand. I love this homemade Soft Buttery Vegan Brioche Bread. Trust me; you'll want to dip it into that luscious, saucy goodness. If you want a little freshness, serve it with a salad on the side, like this Fall Harvest BBQ Chickpea Kale Salad or this Best Buffalo Chickpea Kale Salad. It's like a fresh burst of flavor that complements this easy weeknight dinner beautifully. Enjoy alongside a tall glass of Southern Strawberry Iced Sweet Tea or Traditional Southern Iced Sweet Tea for some extra Southern flare.
But here's the thing. This Vegan Mac + Cheese is so darn amazing that you can honestly enjoy it all by itself. Seriously, the creamy ooey gooey 'cheesy' sauce is a game-changer. It's just bursting with flavor. So, feel free to dig in and savor every single bite. It's a dish that stands tall on its own!
Choosing Your Perfect Pasta
You can use any type of pasta that you like in this Vegan Mac + Cheese recipe. That is what makes this recipe so adaptable!
I love using shells because it does a beautiful job of embracing and holding onto the sauce. But any of these pasta varieties would work for this dish -
- Macaroni --For a more traditional feel.
- Pappardelle
- Tagliatelle
- Fettuccine
- Penne
- Spirals
- Ravioli or gnocchi would also go wonderfully with this sauce combo!
I would recommend tossing with tongs to ensure that longer varieties of pasta is fully manageable and fully coated. You can also use gluten-free pasta, whole-wheat pasta, or even zoodles for a low-carb option!
The Ultimate Vegan Mac + Cheese Q + A's
Any leftovers can be kept in a tightly sealed container and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free shells or elbow pasta, flour, and gluten-free breadcrumbs. Or make your own with gluten-free bread.
If you're allergic to nuts or just don't want to add them to your mac and cheese, that's totally fine. Simple omit the "vegan cream cheese" ingredients and substitute with 4-5 cups of a high-quality dairy-free cheese shreds. Continue with the steps for cooking the sauce over the stovetop and add in the cheese shreds, whisking until everything becomes nice and creamy.
Definitely! Kids tend to love the creamy and familiar taste of mac and cheese, and this vegan version is no exception. It's a great way to introduce them to plant-based eating.
My Fave Vegan Recipes To Try Next
If you've fallen for the incredible flavors of Ultimate Vegan Mac + Cheese and are eager to explore more homemade basic recipes, here are some delicious options to dive into next!
- Easy Vegan Roasted Potato Salad
- Vegan Quinoa Fried Rice
- Crispiest Jumbo Garlic Herb Fries
- Ultra-Creamy Southern Cheese Grits
- Vegan Jalapeños Queso Dip
- Garlic Herb Smashed Potatoes
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you tried this Ultimate Vegan Mac + Cheese recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you.
The Ultimate Vegan Mac + Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 (16 oz.) pacakge organic shells or elbow pasta
- 1 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
VEGAN CREAM CHEESE:
- 1 cup raw cashews, soaked + drained (See Notes!)
- ¾ cup filtered water
- 1 tablespoon Grapeseed oil (You can also use Olive oil)
- 1 tablespoon freshly-squeezed lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
MAC + CHEESE SAUCE:
- 1 ¾ cups Almond milk (You can use your favorite plant-based milk)
- 2 Tbsps vegan butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- 1 ½ Tbsps arrowroot starch
- 1 teaspoon juice of a lemon
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of cajun seasoning, store-bought or homemade
Instructions
TO MAKE THE VEGAN CREAM CHEESE:
- Add all ingredients into a high-powdered blender (cashews first) and blend until sauce becomes creamy. NOTE: If needed, add a bit more water (1 tablespoon at a time), until desired consistency is met. Set aside.
BOIL THE PASTA:
- Cook pasta according to packaging. NOTE: shells or elbow pasta doesn’t take a long time to cook, usually 10-12 minutes. NOTE: I always add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the boiling water to prevent pasta from sticking together.
COOK THE MAC + CHEESE SAUCE:
- In a medium deep saucepan, heat butter on medium-high heat and add garlic and sauté for a minute or so. Next, add arrowroot, nutritional yeast, ground mustard, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and cajun seasoning, and whisk until combined and looks like little "bits".
- Slowly add Almond milk, whisking frequently. Once mixture becomes thick, add the vegan cream cheese, whisking frequently again. Add the lemon juice and continue to whisk sauce until combined, smooth, and creamy.
- Add in the drained pasta and toss in sauce until well coated. Serve immediately and enjoy! NOTE: For added crunch, you can top with breadcrumbs if desired.
- Bon Appetit!
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: Any leftovers can be kept in a tightly sealed container and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
- CAJUN SEASONINGS: Any leftover cajun seasoning mix can be stored in an airtight jar for later use or used as garnish.
- SOAKED CASHEWS: To best soak cashews, add 1 cup of cashews to a bowl or measuring cup and cover with cold water, sealing the top with plastic wrap and leaving it out (at room temp.) overnight. When ready to use, drain and rinse. If not able to soak overnight, simply cover cashews with boiling water and let sit for 30 minutes, drain, + rinse.
- OIL: Instead of grapeseed oil, you can substitute with extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil.
- NUT-FREE OPTION: If you're allergic to nuts or just don't want to add them to your mac and cheese, that's totally fine. Simple omit the "vegan cream cheese" ingredients and substitute with 4-5 cups of a high-quality dairy-free cheese shreds. Continue with the steps for cooking the sauce over the stovetop and add in the cheese shreds, whisking until everything becomes nice and creamy.
- GLUTEN-FREE OPTION: To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free shells or elbow pasta, flour (arrowroot if GF-friendly), and gluten-free breadcrumbs (if using). Or make your own with gluten-free bread. Everything in this dish is already dairy-free and vegan.
Nutrition
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The Ultimate Vegan Mac + Cheese.
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LET US KNOW!
This mac & cheese looks amazing– can't wait to try it!!
Hi Katherine! Thanks so much! I do hope that you enjoy it! 🙂
Love this! I also love cashews but i've never tried vegan cheese, will be trying this.
This looks delicious. I've been looking for a vegan mac and cheese recipe that didn't call for vegan cheese. Thanks for this one!
You're super welcome! I'm not a HUGE fan of the vegan cheese either, so when I can--I use cashews as a great alternative. I hope that you enjoy this one!
This looks so good! I must try more dishes for the vegans in my family! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks so much, Katrina! You'll definitely enjoy this one, even if you aren't a vegan. I do hope that you get a chance to try it!
THIS is my kind of recipe. I love everything about it, I haven't used my nutritional yeast in over 6 months, stuck for recipes but will try this for sure.
Yes, this recipe is definitely amazing, especially because of the nutritional yeast! I haven't fully utilized mine as well, but I'm starting to incorporate it more.
This looks delish. Almond milk is one of my favorite non-dairy milks, too!
Thanks so much, Jazz! Yes, I go hard for Almond milk. Haha!
I have a few vegan friends who I will try this for. Pretty certain they'll absolutely love it!
I'm sure your friends will love you! Haha! Be sure to let me know how it turns out and how they love it, Valentina! 🙂
I would SO love to dig into a big bowl of this right now-yum! It's my daughter's 17th b-day this weekend, and she has requested my homemade mac and cheese which has loads of butter and cheese-she might not want this version for her bday, but for sure I will try making it ASAP. Yum!!!
Yes, this vegan Mac + Cheese is really really good! I'm sure that you'll enjoy it for sure! Be sure to let me know how it turns out! And Happy Birthday to your daughter when it comes! 🙂
I'm always fascinated by vegan mac & cheese and your version looks incredible!!
Thanks so much, Chris! Yes, vegan Mac + Cheese is amazing!
This sounds like the perfect dish for my family! I make a cashew alfredo that they all love so I bet this recipe with the cashews for the cream cheese as well as the nutritional yeast will be perfectly "cheesy" and creamy. Thanks for sharing this great alternative! I love your other healthier option recipes as well so just signed up for emails and will definitely be following you on Instagram. 🙂
Wow, thanks so much Sally! I definitely love using cashews and now that I've experimented with nutritional yeast, it's my new favorite as well. I do hope that you continue to enjoy my recipes and I'm sure that your family will love this one! My family sure did! 🙂
Hey there, Ms. Shanika! I just love your blog!!! Your Vegan recipes for Southern food are amazing. You are my favorite place to look for Vegan recipes anymore!!
Hi Heidy! Wow! That means so much! I'm so happy that you find my vegan recipes to be so helpful and tasteful! I do hope that you get a chance to try out some of them! 🙂
I’m always amazed by how fabulous cashews can be as cheese! So much more delicious than vegan cheese. This dish looks absolutely delicious (and that’s coming from a non-vegan!).
Thanks so much, Sues! I really love using cashews instead also! I'm not a huge fan of vegan cheese yet, although I use it rarely, but using cashews has definitely been my new favorite!