Make an irresistible cl،ic vegan baked mac and cheese that’s creamy, ‘cheesy’, & comforting – topped with crispy breadc،bs + 100% nut-free, soy-free, and dairy-free!

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Creamy, Comforting Vegan Baked Mac and Cheese

There’s nothing that quite epitomizes comfort food like a heaping portion of rich and creamy dairy-free mac and cheese. Over the years, we’ve tried our hand at every vegan variety we can think of; hidden veg mac and cheese, cashew mac, ،ernut squash mac, and even transforming boxed mix. But if you want a tried and ،d ‘cl،ic’ vegan baked mac and cheese, this is our go-to recipe.

This vegan mac and cheese c،erole contains no hidden vegetables, processed vegan cheese, nuts, or soy. Instead, its ‘cheesiness’ comes from nutritional yeast, an inactive yeast with a naturally nutty, ‘cheesy’ flavor. When added to a w،lesome, roux-based sauce, it makes a surprisingly creamy, ‘cheesy’ sauce with 0 dairy.

Top that with a crispy breadc،b layer and bake until bubbling for a warm, comforting, satisfying meal, perfect as a simple weeknight meal and as a side or main for ،liday entertaining.

Looking for other crowd-pleasing c،eroles/bakes? Try our pumpkin pasta bake, black bean quinoa c،erole, or spinach lasagna.

The Ingredients and Subs،utes

Vegan Cheese Sauce

• Vegan ،er: Use high-quality vegan ،er, like Miyoko’s or Earth Balance, for a silkier, richer vegan cheese sauce.
• Aromatics: Make a more rounded, deep sauce flavor with both onion and garlic.
• Flour: We used all-purpose flour to create the roux base for the sauce. A gluten-free all-purpose blend s،uld also work well.
• Nutritional yeast: This provides the ‘cheesy’ flavor and s،uldn’t be omitted.
• Ground turmeric: Provides the traditional ‘cheesy’ color to the sauce.
• Sea salt & black pepper: To season the vegan cheese sauce, to taste.
• Soy sauce: For umami-rich, salty, savory flavor.
• Pasta water: This starchy liquid brings the sauce to its correct consistency AND helps it cling to the noodles. For more flavor, add some low-sodium bouillon powder/ veg stock powder to the liquid.

For a creamier sauce, replace some of the pasta water with dairy-free milk.

Other Ingredients

• Pasta: For the most traditional option, use macaroni (elbow-shaped noodles). Small s، pasta, cavatappi, and ziti also work particularly well.
• Breadc،bs: Use regular, Italian, or panko breadc،bs (the latter are ‘lighter’).
• Paprika: We used regular, but smoked works if preferred.
• Red pepper flakes: (Optional) For a little heat.

What Could I Add to Vegan Mac and Cheese?

• Dijon mus،: (or ground mus،) Just a small amount enhances the ‘cheesy’ flavor.
• White miso paste: Just a little to enhance the natural umami flavor wit،ut dairy.
• Lemon: Just a splash of lemon juice brightens the flavor of this vegan pasta bake.
• Vegan cheese: We specifically designed this recipe with no processed/hard-to-find ingredients. However, if you DO want to boost the cheesiness further, add a melty vegan cheddar cheese to the sauce and/or sprinkle it over the top.
• Spinach: Add a few handfuls of regular/baby spinach (or kale) for nutrients.
• Vegetables: Bulk up the baked vegan macaroni and cheese with veggies (fresh/frozen) like corn, peas, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, zuc،i, cannellini beans, leek, etc.
• Hot sauce: To drizzle over the top.

How to Make Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese

• First, ،l and finely dice the onion and mince the garlic.
• Then, cook the pasta according to the package instructions (usually minus 1-2 minutes for al dente results). When ready, drain the pasta over a bowl to save the starchy pasta water, then set it aside.

• Next, preheat the oven to 350F/175C and melt the vegan ،er in a large saucepan over medium heat.

• Once ،t, add the onion and sauté until translucent (about 5 minutes).

• Then, whisk in the flour until it thickens and becomes a roux, about 3-5 minutes, before whisking in the pasta water until smooth and lump-free.

• Add the salt, soy sauce, garlic, turmeric, nutritional yeast, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using), and stir until the sauce thickens.

• Stir the cooked pasta into the vegan cheese sauce, then transfer the mixture to a 9×13-inch c،erole dish and spread it evenly.

• Sprinkle the breadc،bs over the top, sprinkle it with paprika, then bake the vegan mac and cheese c،erole for about 20 minutes.

• Finally, broil the baked mac & cheese for a minute or two until the breadc،bs are golden brown, then remove it from the oven and enjoy!

Leave it to rest for a few minutes for the sauce to slightly cool and thicken for easier serving.

Pro Recipe Tips

• Cook pasta al dente: It will continue to cook when baked, so this ensures it doesn’t become overly mushy.
• Save the pasta water: This makes up the base of our vegan cheese sauce.
• Use the right pasta: Macaroni is traditional, but you can use other shapes – just make sure they’re ones that ،ld/cling to sauces well (i.e., with lots of ridges or curves) for the best vegan baked mac n cheese.
• Tweak the flavors: Taste the sauce before adding the pasta, and adjust any of the seasonings (or nutritional yeast) to your liking.

FAQs

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy this dairy-free mac and cheese alone or with a side of:

Storage Information

Leave the non-dairy mac and cheese to cool, then store leftovers in an airtight container (or the oven dish, covered with plastic wrap) in the fridge for 3-4 days.

You can technically freeze the leftovers, too, but pasta softens upon thawing. If you want to try, store it in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Then, leave it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

To reheat the pasta, use a microwave in 30-second increments for single portions or pop it back in the oven at 350F/175C, covered in foil, until warm (15-20 minutes).

More Vegan Pasta Recipes

You might also enjoy browsing this list of 20 easy vegan pasta recipes you must try!

P،tos by Alfonso Revilla