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!
Recipe 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 INFORMATION
*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!
Char
First vegan Mac and cheese! Recently became vegan and your recipes are amazing. Thank you. Will be my go to quick and easy meal!
Nora
Thanks so much! So glad you enjoyed it!
Dulce
Ummmm, YUM!
Made it for the kids and they loved it!
I added a tablespoon of ground pepper and used the pasta water instead of plain water. Also I added a bag of frozen broccoli at the end of boiling the pasta and mixed it all together.
Nora
Sounds delicious!
Kim
Really simple, and quick. Perfect weeknight meal! I used veggie rotini pasta, and had my broccoli on the side.
Thank you!
Nora
You’re welcome! Glad it was great!
Evan
Simple yet super delicious! From now on this is going to be my go-to recipe for a quick dish… As long as I remember to soak the cashews beforehand!
Nora
Glad it’s a winner for you!
Cathie
This seems so silly, but where did you find the straight macaroni noodles like those that come in boxed mac and cheese? Thanks.
Nora
I am trying to remember, but I think I got them in bulk at my local discount store (Winco). But it was quite a while ago so I’m not sure!
Toula
It was amazing! Thank you
Nora
So glad it was amazing!
Savanah
Wow!! I am amazed at how fast and easy this was!! Delicious!
Nora
Glad it was good!
Anya
Yummy
Nora
Glad you liked it!
Lori
Would it be better or creamier if add almond milk? Or is it not necessary? Thank you!!
Nora
It’s really not necessary, but I suppose you could.
Rebekah P
For Nutritional Yeast, do you use the nutritional yeast seasoning or the plain nutritional yeast? Thanks!
Nora
Just plain nutritional yeast, I’ve never actually heard of nutritional yeast seasoning.
Rebekah P
Thank you!
Kerrie
I could use this for Cauliflower instead of pasta couldn’t I ?
I want to try the sauce tomorrow and I’ve a cauliflower to use
Nora
Sure! Sounds great.
Joss
Is there a substitute for the nutritional yeast?
Nora
No substitute, but you can leave it out if needed or if you don’t care for the taste.
Alicia
Thank you for this delicious recipe. The preparation was easy, and I like the creamy consistency of the sauce. I have been vegan for almost ten years. I am thrilled to have macaroni and cheese again and will add this recipe to my collection.
Kelli
Quick, easy and delicious. Im so glad I went with this recipe my first time making vegan mac and cheese!
Nora
I’m glad you came here too!:) Glad it was good!
Laurie
The best “cheese” sauce I‘ve had. I have desperately needed delicious comfort food in our plant based eating. This is fantastic!! Better than a few chef’s recipes I’ve tried.
Nora
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you like it. I think it’s important to have some vegan comfort food options. 🙂
Kim
Looking forward to trying this. Have you ever used miso paste in your Mac n cheese? I make a white “cheese” sauce that tastes amazing with miso but I’m not sure if that would ruin this recipe
Nora
I don’t think it would ruin the recipe at all to add a little if you know you like the taste. It would be a little less “traditional” tasting mac and cheese, but I think it would be good. Thanks!
Jo
I am allergic to cashews. Have you tried this recipe with other nuts? Almonds or pecans maybe?
Nora
Raw slivered almonds would be the best choice! I also have a Nut Free Vegan Cheese Sauce that is really good for making mac and cheese.
Daryl Gilreath
Fabulous. My wife and I can’t get enough of this. I could shoot a guy on 5th Avenue and if I made this for a vegan jury, I’d get off Scott free. Who is Scott by the way? Thank you, Nora. This was the first Nora Cooks recipe that I tried. Since then, I’ve made the nacho cheese sauce and it was awesome. Then I made the vanilla cake (as cupcakes). They were fantastic too! Think I’ll make the Meat Loaf next.
Nora
I’m glad the recipes are turning out good for you! Thanks for letting me know!
KILEY
Can I use something g else other than lemon juice? I have everything on hand except that!
Nora
Sure! Apple cider vinegar would work, or just leave it out. Thanks and enjoy!
Brandi
If we can’t use any tree nuts due to allergy what would be a good substitute?
Nora
I would recommend using this Nut Free Vegan Cheese Sauce instead. Hope that helps!
Brieanna Bacon
Fantastic!! I added quartered baby Bella’s, roasted broccoli and diced tomatoes. I was so impressed with the sauce! I’m going to keep this recipe as a staple in my house.
Karina Ramirez
Very good. I tried a recipe that used potatoes and carrots but this one is way better. My non vegan family said it was delicious!
Nora
Yeah those potato and carrot cheese sauces aren’t quite as delicious, I get it! Glad everyone enjoyed the recipe.
Melissa Kolander
This is our go to cheese sauce now! We add a tsp of liquid smoke to ours. It’s irresistible! Thank you!
Nora
That sounds wonderful, thank you!
Kimberly A Robinson
This was my first ever vegan mac and cheese and it was absolutely delicious. I can’t wait to make it again, next time I think I will add some sweet peas.