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.
Tried this last night—so creamy and cheesy tasting without any actual cheese. The lemon juice really brightens it. Will make again!
Yes! That’s exactly what nutritional yeast does—gives the cheesy vibe without actual dairy. Glad the lemon juice worked for you too; I add it for the same reason.
I didn’t soak the cashews long enough (like 2 hours). It was gritty and not that creamy. So… yeah, soaking matters a lot.
I was skeptical about this, but it turned out surprisingly good! Just a little too nutty for my taste.
I’m skeptical about cashews replacing cheese, but I guess it works. Next time I’ll toast the yeast? Not sure if that’s a thing though.
Honestly, if you toast the nutritional yeast it might taste better, but I’m not sure it’s necessary. I’m more skeptical about the lemon juice—can’t you just use less? Mac and cheese should be more savory than tangy 😅
Cashews definitely help it get that “cheesy” creaminess—just make sure they’re really soaked long enough. I’ve never toasted the yeast, but people do toast nutritional yeast sometimes for a nuttier flavor.
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.
Could use more salt—mine tasted a little bland until I added extra pepper and salt at the end. Still pretty tasty.
Too much turmeric… made it kinda yellow. Next time I won’t use that much.
The turmeric made it look kinda yellow-green in my bowl for some reason. Flavor was okay, just looks weird. Maybe I used too much?
Yeah, turmeric can go a more yellow-green if the ratio’s off or it didn’t fully blend—I’d try using a bit less (like 1/4–1/2 tsp) and blending the sauce longer. Also, did you rinse the cashews after soaking? That can affect color/texture too.
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. 😩
This is the first time vegan mac and cheese didn’t taste like “health food.” Great comfort meal. Would make again.
Love hearing that! I always worry vegan mac can taste kinda “off,” but this one sounds spot on. 😊
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.
Really tasty, but mine came out a little too thick. Next time I’ll add more almond milk a splash at a time while blending. Overall super solid vegan comfort food though.
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.
Ew, this was gross. Why would you ever eat this?
This recipe is amazing! I never thought cashews could create such a creamy sauce. My kids loved it!
This is AMAZING! So creamy and satisfying. I didn’t even miss the cheese!
I love this recipe! Never thought I’d find a cheese alternative that I actually enjoy!
That’s awesome! I’m so glad you found a cheese alternative you enjoy. This recipe is a game changer!
I don’t get how cashews and yeast could taste like cheese. Sounds kinda weird to me.
I used regular milk instead of almond and it still tasted good. 🙂
The turmeric is cool for color, but it also smells weird if you don’t toast it? I didn’t do anything special and it still turned out fine, just my kitchen smelled like curry for a bit.
Garlic powder and onion powder—easy win. I added a pinch of smoked paprika once and it made it way better, so I might do that here too.
I can’t believe this is plant-based! So good, I would serve it to non-vegans too!
I was skeptical about cashew cheese, but wow. Blender time matters—if you don’t blend long enough it tastes gritty. Still, delicious.
This is honestly the best vegan mac and cheese I’ve ever made! So creamy! 😍
Good recipe, but can I use coconut milk instead? Will it be too sweet?
I had to use regular milk instead of almond milk, but it turned out fine. Still tasty!
I use whatever milk I have too! Glad it turned out good for you! Mac and cheese is life! 🧀
Regular milk? That’s not vegan at all! But if it tasted good, I guess that’s what matters. 😅
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about cashews making it taste like mac & cheese… but it worked. Texture was smooth and creamy, and the garlic/onion powders actually balanced the flavor.