Creamy vegan baked mac and cheese with dairy-free cheese sauce and crispy topping. A comforting plant-based meal.
🧾 Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 oz elbow macaroni (regular or gluten-free)
Cheese Sauce
- 1½ cups unsweetened plant-based milk
- ¾ cup raw cashews, soaked and drained
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- 2 tbsp olive oil or vegan butter
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Topping
- ½ cup breadcrumbs or panko
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ First, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish.
2️⃣ Next, cook the macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3️⃣ Meanwhile, blend cashews, plant-based milk, nutritional yeast, olive oil, lemon juice, and spices until smooth.
4️⃣ Then, pour the cheese sauce over the cooked pasta and stir until fully coated.
5️⃣ After that, transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
6️⃣ Next, mix breadcrumbs, olive oil, and nutritional yeast, then sprinkle evenly on top.
7️⃣ Finally, bake for 25–30 minutes until bubbly and lightly golden. Let cool slightly before serving.
💡 Tips & Variations
- For extra creaminess, add more plant milk before baking.
- Alternatively, stir in steamed broccoli or peas.
- For a spicy version, add cayenne or jalapeños.
- For gluten-free, use GF pasta and breadcrumbs.
- Additionally, add vegan shredded cheese for extra melt.
🌟 Benefits of Vegan Baked Mac and Cheese
First, this dish is completely dairy-free and egg-free.
Additionally, cashews provide healthy fats and protein.
Moreover, nutritional yeast adds B-vitamins and flavor.
Furthermore, baking creates a satisfying crispy topping.
In addition, it’s customizable for many diets.
Finally, it delivers comfort food without animal products.
📊 Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – Approximate)
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 13g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 4g
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 540mg
🧒 Kid-Friendly Version
To make this dish kid-friendly, skip smoked paprika and black pepper. Use plain elbow pasta and add dairy-free shredded cheese on top. Serve with peas or carrots on the side.
