Vegan Mac and Cheese has become one of the most beloved dishes in the plant-based world, and for good reason. This dairy-free version of the ultimate comfort food delivers all the creamy, nostalgic goodness of the original without any animal products. Whether you’re vegan, lactose-intolerant, or just looking to eat more plant-based meals, vegan mac and cheese proves that comfort food can be both satisfying and cruelty-free.
What makes vegan mac and cheese so popular is its ability to recreate the rich, velvety texture of cheese sauce using ingredients like cashews, nutritional yeast, plant-based milks, and sometimes even vegetables like potatoes and carrots. The result is a sauce that’s smooth, flavorful, and surprisingly cheesy, all without the addition of cheese.
This dish has evolved far beyond being just a substitute. Many people, even those who aren’t vegan, find themselves enjoying it simply because it tastes good. It’s creamy, savory, and easy to customize. Add-ins like roasted broccoli, vegan bacon, or a sprinkle of paprika can elevate the dish even further, while gluten-free pasta options make it suitable for even more dietary needs.
Part of its charm lies in its familiarity. Mac and cheese is a dish many people grew up with, and having a vegan version means no one has to miss out on the joy of comfort food just because of dietary choices or restrictions. It’s also a go-to option for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or cozy nights at home.
In addition to being tasty, vegan mac and cheese is often lighter and easier to digest than traditional versions. Without the heaviness of dairy, it leaves you feeling comforted but not weighed down. Plus, using whole food ingredients adds a boost of nutrients you might not expect from a comfort dish.
From its creamy texture to its crowd-pleasing flavor, vegan mac and cheese is a clear example of how plant-based eating has transformed traditional favorites into something just as satisfying, if not more so.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cashews Soaked in water for at least 4 hours, then drained, raw
- 1 cup nutritional yeast
- 1 cup almond milk unsweetened
- 1 tbsp lemon juice Freshly squeezed
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder For color
- 1 lb elbow macaroni Cooked according to package instructions
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Soak the raw cashews in water for at least 4 hours, then drain and rinse.
- In a blender, combine the soaked cashews, nutritional yeast, almond milk, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, and turmeric powder. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large pot, combine the cooked macaroni and the creamy sauce. Stir well to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your vegan mac and cheese!
Nutrition
Easy to make and super filling. I added some broccoli for extra fiber. Yum!
I dunno… Vegan mac and cheese? That don’t sound too good to me. Cheese is all about the dairy! What’s nutritional yeast even taste like?
I agree! Broccoli is a great addition. I also put some spinach in mine for extra nutrients. This recipe is a hit with my family!
Yummy! I added some crushed red pepper for a kick and it was fantastic!
That sounds amazing! I love the idea of adding crushed red pepper. Spicy food is always a win!
I don’t know about that… Vegan cheese can taste weird sometimes. Did the pepper really help?
Macaroni was fine but the sauce was really weird. Won’t make again.
Is almon milk even necessary here? I used regular milk and it was just fine.
I’m not a vegan but give this a try if you feel brave. This gave me a new perspective!
I couldn’t find nutritional yeast, so I used regular cheese… still turned out great!
Cheese?! But that’s not vegan, lol! Glad it turned out okay, though!
Not a fan. The cashews are too much for me.
Didn’t really have a cheesy flavor. Maybe I messed it up?
Tried this with coconut milk instead of almond, still turned out good! Just a bit sweeter.
This was amazing! Tasted just like the real thing! 5 stars!
I thought it was okay, but it didn’t taste like real mac and cheese to me. Just too different!!
Who knew cashews could make cheese?! Mind blown!
Quick and easy! My kids loved it! A nice alternative when I don’t want to use dairy.
Five stars.
The turmeric for color is a nice touch. I’m always chasing that “classic” mac look, so good idea. My only question: do you taste the turmeric much?
This is the best vegan mac and cheese I’ve ever made! Creamy and delicious!
Why cashews? Couldn’t find them at the store. Would almonds work too? 🤷♂️
This is the best mac and cheese I’ve ever made! Can’t believe it’s vegan! 🥳
Yum! I added some roasted red peppers and it turned out amazing! Definitely making this again.
I was skeptical about this, but it turned out surprisingly good! Just a little too nutty for my taste.
This recipe is disgusting. Vegan food is the worst! I wasted my cashews.
I dunno… I thought it would taste better. The sauce was kinda weird to me.
Why use cashews when you can just make real cheese? Don’t get the hype! 🙄
This was amazing! I could hardly tell it was vegan!
Too much nutritional yeast for my taste. Made it a bit overpowering. Next time I’ll reduce it.
Yeah, I agree! I had the same issue. I cut it down to 3/4 cup and it was way better! You just gotta experiment.
Recipe is ok I guess. Took too long to prep, I’m not patient.
Too much turmeric… made it kinda yellow. Next time I won’t use that much.
I was skeptical at first, but this actually turned out pretty good. My kids even liked it!
This actually tastes super close to the boxed stuff (but fresher). The lemon juice makes it pop—didn’t think it would, but it does.
Very simple recipe! I added some chili flakes for a kick – yum! 🙂
My kids inhaled it! Finally a vegan recipe they love. Thank you!
I’m so glad to hear that! It’s always a win when kids enjoy healthy food. What other recipes have you tried?
This recipe is super easy! I made it for my kids and they loved it. 😍
I’m glad your kids loved it! This is such a great alternative to the traditional mac and cheese. 🥰
Looks too complicated for me. Macaroni is just supposed to be cheesy, right? 🤔
I couldn’t find cashews in the store, so I used peanuts. It was weird but edible… 😅
My blender handled it fine, but I had to stop and scrape the sides a couple times. If anyone’s getting grainy sauce, don’t be afraid to blend longer.
This is not mac and cheese!!! You can’t fool me, man.
Nah man, this ain’t real mac and cheese. Where’s the cheese? You can’t just swap stuff out and call it the same thing.
It’s definitely a different take on mac and cheese, but I think it’s still worth trying! It’s vegan after all!
Absolutely love this recipe! It’s so creamy and filling. My non-vegan friends were shocked when I told them it was vegan!
I’m glad to hear that! Vegan meals can be surprisingly good. 🤩
Really wanted to like this but it didn’t work for my tastes. 😩
Very delicious! I added some jalapeños for a kick. Will definitely make this again!
Jalapeños sounds awesome! I bet it adds a great flavor. Can’t wait to try it this way!
Took longer than I expected because soaking cashews is annoying lol. However, once I blended it, the texture was perfect and the family ate seconds.
Totally agree—cashew soaking is the most “why am I doing this” step 😅 But once it blends, it’s crazy how creamy it gets. Glad your family loved it!
2 hours soak next time maybe? I feel like 4 is overkill. Also i dont get the turmeric—sounds like it would taste weird? Either way, if seconds were eaten then it worked lol.
Great for vegan friends! Everybody loved it at my dinner party.
Meh. The sauce was smooth, but I couldn’t stop tasting the lemon. Next time I’ll go light on that part.