Mind-Blowing Vegan Mac and Cheese (2024)

Mind-Blowing Vegan Mac and Cheese

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We might be biased, but this super creamy, vegan mac and cheese is hands down the best vegan mac and cheese recipe you’ll ever make. Made with a seriously delicious vegan cashew cheese sauce with nutritional yeast, this stovetop vegan mac and cheese is pretty much the best thing we’ve ever made.

The Best Vegan Mac and Cheese

You guys. Say hello to possibly my favorite savory recipe of all time: tMind-blowing Vegan Mac and Cheese.

Before you pass this off as some vegan alternative to the “real deal,” let me just say I love cheese. 1-year aged Manchego. Humboldt Fog. Triple cream brie. Espresso Bellavitano. Vermont Creamery Goat.

I mean…I lovecheeseok?! And yet, I still LOVE THIS VEGAN MAC AND CHEESE.

So whether you’re vegan or a cheese fiend like me, you’re going to devour this vegan mac and cheese.

What is Vegan Mac and Cheese Anyway?

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 stilltasteslike macaroni and cheese AKA the ultimate comfort food. And as long as it tastes good, we don’t care what you make it with.

We’re spilling the beans on how to make cheese sans cheese and hint…it’s cashews.

How Do You Make Vegan Mac and Cheese?

So how do you make cheesy pasta without cheese? The answer is cashews and nutritional yeast.

I know, Iknow,it sounds crazy, but hear me out. The creamy, dreamy texture of this vegan cheese comes from soaked cashews, while nutritional yeast gives this cheese sauce all the cheesy goodness of the traditional version.

• Nutritional yeast:We love Bob’s Red Mill Nutritional Yeast. It’s what gives this sauce it’s cheesy flavor and it’s packed full of vitamins and minerals!
• Raw cashews:The cashews will give this sauce that dreamy creaminess that usually comes from cheese and milk. Simply soak the cashews to soften them up and they’ll blend right up into a thick and creamy sauce.
• Dairy free milk:We used almond milk, but any neutral flavored nondairy milk would work! Cashew milk or pea milk would be great, but I’d steer clear of coconut or soy milk which tend to have a bit of an after taste. Make sure you are using an unsweetened version without any vanilla or other flavorings as this will lead to a funky after taste.
• The perfect blend of spices:We used garlic powder, chili powder, onion powder, and paprika to give this vegan mac and cheese the kind of deep flavor profile that you would get from using a blend of cheeses.

It has that home cooked, stovetop mac and cheese taste without any dairy cheese. Top it off with some toasted bread crumbs and fresh thyme and you are in for a real treat!

Pro Tip:You could also easily make this vegan macaroni and cheese gluten free by subbing gluten free pasta (we love brown rice pasta!) and breadcrumbs!

What is Nutritional Yeast?

What makes this mac and cheese so special is the nutritional yeast. My absolute favorite isBob’s Red Mill’s Nutritional Yeast, because the flavor is unbeatable. It mimics the taste of real cheese more than any other nutritional yeast I’ve tried, and the umami flavor is really pronounced, meaning even though it’s technically vegan, it has a deep, rich flavor.

And if you’re into this vegan mac and cheese, you’ll love thisvegan quesotoo!

Our tips for the best vegan mac and cheese

This vegan mac and cheese is a pretty straight forward recipe to make, but these few tips will guarantee you perfect macaroni and cheese every time

• Use a high powered blender: The key to that creamy, cheesy texture is really blending your cashews up until they are super smooth and creamy. We have a Vitamix, but any high powered blender will get the job done.
• Soak your cashews until they are super soft: The smoooshier your cashews are, the easier it will be to blend them up into your cheese-free cheese sauce!
• Cook your pasta al dente: The pasta will continue to cook in the oven so you’ll want to make sure it’s underdone to prevent it from getting too mushy!

What to serve this vegan mac and cheese with

While this vegan mac and cheese is plenty filling and nutritious on its own, I also love serving it with a big salad and roasted broccoli or another veggie to really complete the meal. I also sometimes makes this with chickpea or lentil pasta to pack it with protein that will leave you feeling super full and satisfied!

This mac is the creamiest, dreamiest pasta ever. And this cheese-lover is, well, obsessed.

I’m pretty sure you will be too.

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This post is sponsored by Bob’s Red Mill. All text and opinions are 100% my own. Thank you for continuing to support the brands who help make Broma possible!