The Best Vegan Mac and Cheese
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This truly is the BEST Vegan Mac and Cheese ever! Made with just 7 simple ingredients and ready in under 20 minutes. Super creamy, delicious and so easy to make!
My favorite thing about this vegan mac and cheese is how easy and quick it is to throw together. It’s ready in the same time it would take for you to make a box of regular mac and cheese! Really.
But most importantly, it tastes incredible! I wouldn’t care how easy it was to make if it didn’t taste amazing.
This recipe is incredibly creamy, cheesy and just delicious! I didn’t include too many spices, because my kids don’t like that in their mac and cheese. Just cashews, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, a tiny bit of garlic powder and turmeric (for color).
For a nut free vegan mac and cheese, try my Nut Free Vegan Cheese Sauce with noodles.
How do you make vegan mac and cheese?
It’s so easy! First, get your raw cashews soaking. I do this by heating water to a boil in my tea kettle, then pour the hot water over the cashews in a bowl or measuring cup. Let them soak for 5 minutes.
Cook your noodles of choice (gluten free, white or whole wheat, even bean noodles) as directed. Just do not overcook the noodles. Drain them, then add back to the pot.
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While the pasta cooks, add the cashews, 1 cup water (not the same water you soaked the cashews in), lemon juice, nutritional yeast, turmeric, garlic powder and salt to a high powered blender such as a Vitamix. Blend for a few minutes until creamy, smooth and no cashew bits remain. Scrape the sides as needed. SEE BELOW FOR FULL AMOUNTS AND INSTRUCTIONS.
Add the sauce to the noodles, stir and serve!
What vegetables go well with vegan mac and cheese?
I love mixing some veggies in mac and cheese! My kids prefer peas or broccoli, but I LOVE it with a large serving of kale. What a great way to eat your greens! Some options we enjoy:
- Green peas -if frozen, simply thaw and stir in
- 3 Minute Instant Pot Kale
- Steamed or roasted broccoli
- Steamed or roasted cauliflower
- Roasted brussels sprouts
Can vegan mac and cheese be frozen?
The sauce itself freezes wonderfully, and is great for freezing, then taking out small portions for single meals or kids lunches. You could even freeze the sauce in an ice cube tray, then transfer the cubes to a freezer bag.
If you want to freeze the pasta + cheese, that is fine but the noodles will be a bit mushier. If you are planning to freeze it, I would undercook the noodles by a few minutes, add the sauce, then freeze in a container. You can reheat the dish on the stovetop from frozen, or bake it in the oven. You could even microwave it if you wanted.
The dish will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Enjoy!
Want more vegan pasta dishes?
The Best Vegan Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups raw cashews (soaked)
- 1 cup water
- 1 large lemon, squeezed for juice (about 3 tablespoons)
- 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 12 ounces elbow pasta (use gluten free if needed, or whole grain)
Instructions
- Soften your cashews by covering them in boiling water for 5 minutes. I do this by heating up water in my tea kettle, and then pouring the boiling water over the cashews in a large glass measuring cup.
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions, but do not overcook.
- While the pasta is cooking, add the soaked cashews, 1 cup water, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, turmeric, garlic powder and salt to a high powered blender and blend until very smooth.
- When the pasta is done, drain and return it to the pot. Stir in the cheese sauce, and serve!
Notes
- The cheese sauce freezes well, so feel free to make extra sauce and freeze some for a super quick meal or kid's lunch option.
- I also like to add a vegetable to my vegan mac and cheese. Try thawed peas, roasted or steamed broccoli or cooked kale.
- Will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
*This recipe was originally posted in August 2018 and has been updated as of April 2019 with new photos and better instructions. The recipe itself is the same. Thank you!
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130 Comments on “The Best Vegan Mac and Cheese”
I was about to give up on finding a great vegan Mac and cheese recipe when I came across this one and gave it a shot. I’m so glad I did!! It’s the tastiest one I’ve had and easier than the other recipes I tried too. Def a staple in my house now . I’ve never been disappointed by a single recipe of Nora’s
That’s so great to hear!
This was delicious! My family was craving some hot wings today so I added some vegan chicken to this and 1/4 cup of buffalo sauce. I topped it all with some garlicky panko and baked it for 25 minutes! It was a hit! Thank you for your incredible recipes!
You’re welcome!!
This recipe rocks! I added a touch of dry mustard and vinegar for just a little more sharpness but I really miss sharp cheddar. Not anymore with this recipe.
That’s so great to hear!
Super tasty! I swapped the water for original unsweetened almond milk for a bit of a thicker cheese. The best Mac and cheese replacement recipe I’ve tried so far!
Nora- I absolutely love all your recipes! Is there a nut-free version of this? Thanks.
Thank you so much! I would make this Vegan Cheese Sauce (Nut Free) and mix it with elbow noodles. It’s quite tasty!
this is good! the only thing i did different was to use less salt. thank you for the recipe.
You’re welcome!!
What is nutritional yeast and where can I buy it ? thanks
Nutritional yeast is a food product that vegans use a lot because it has a cheesy flavor when added to recipes. I can find it an nearly any grocery store these days, often in the baking aisle or health foods section.
Awesome recipe! I followed the recipe exactly as is and this was delicious and creamy and so easy to make!! Will keep this in the rotation – but I must say, I keep a lot of your recipes in my rotation!! Thanks for continually posting the most fabulous recipes!!
Thank you so much, I’m glad you are enjoying the recipes!
Amaaaazing!
Hi, really enjoyed this! To make my sauce creamy and thicker I added a single-serving of plain, oat milk yogurt and another half of the nutritional yeast. Then I baked it with breadcrumbs on top. Turned out great!
So glad it turned out great!!
oops I forgot to rate it. lol
Hi Nora, thank you so much for this delicious recipe. I made it for my grandchildren and they loved it!! I did too. I was wondering if the cheese sauce could be frozen by itself for future use. Or do you think it would change the consistency after thawing? I also made your vegan meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy all came out great!!! thank you again!
Yes, the cheese sauce can be frozen by itself, a great idea for quick mac and cheese. Once thawed, just whisk it well and it will be fine. I’m so glad you all enjoyed it!
Is it ok to use roasted cashews?
If you really need to, but it will taste different. It will taste more nutty.
Hi Nora,
I am constantly blown away by your recipes! I have tried vegan Mac and Cheese recipes in the past and they all turned out horribly. This one, however, was SO TASTY! My husband and I went back for seconds and there is barely any left! I added a little smoked paprika and ‘bacon’ seasoning to give it a smokey flavour and it was just the best.
I will definitely be making this again and am also looking forward to trying out your Vegan Baked Mac and Cheese recipe.
Thanks so much for the great comment! So glad you both enjoyed!