I’ve always had a love affair with mac and cheese. That gooey, chewy, creamy goodness is like heaven to my tastebuds. So after deciding to vegan-ize my diet, it was only right that I set out to find a dairy-free version of one of my favorite foods.
But who knew that finding a decent recipe would be such a daunting task? I’ve tried out a lot (and I do mean A HECK OF A LOT) of vegan mac and cheese recipes I found online, but I wasn’t particularly sold on any of them as I felt that they were either missing something or were just plain unappetizing. I tried so many (and had so many disappointments) that I was beginning to think that my quest was futile. I was determined to make it work though, so I took some elements of a few recipes that I thought were the best of the bunch, and tinkered around with the ingredients and proportions to come up with this dish.
This vegan mac & cheese is a breeze to whip up and I think it tastes pretty damn awesome. I am now a happy camper.
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces macaroni noodles, cooked and drained
- 1 cup red or yellow potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1/4 cup carrots, chopped
- 1/3 cup onion, chopped
- 1/4 cup raw cashews
- 1/3 cup vegan butter
- 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup vegetable stock
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- 1 pinch paprika
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Bring several cups of water to boil in a small pot. Place potatoes, carrots, and onion in the water, and cook for about 10 minutes, or until vegetables are tender and soft enough to blend. Drain water.
3. In a blender, process the cashews, butter, nutritional yeast, garlic, lemon juice, vegetable stock, dijon mustard and seasonings. Add softened vegetables and water to the blender and process until smooth and creamy.
4. In a large bowl, pour cheese sauce over the cooked pasta and toss until completely coated, then spread mixture into a square baking dish.
4. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until browned and bubbly around edges.
Yields 6-8 servings.
86 comments
If someone has a nut allergy what can be used to substitute the cashews?
I doubled the recipe and absolutely loved it. It reminded me of mac and cheese from back home. I’m from New Orleans. Thank you for this wonderful recipe.
I need help!!! I tried it but it does not have a cheesy flavor that I am longing for! That sharp cheddar from Cracker Barrel ! What can I do?
do you have anything to substitute cashews for the cheese, for those that have peanut, allergies?
I love your video’s by the way. Everyday I am finding new possibilities.
Loving that camel cardigan and that embroidered jacket😍
Excited to try this vegan Mac & cheese recipe!
Loving that camel cardigan and that embroidered jacket😍
You have convinced me to try Vegan. I always wanted to but was followed through because of the recipes. Great job! I’m in! Thanks and keep doing great things.
Mrs. J
Retraction… Mrs. J
You have convinced me to try Vegan. I always wanted to but but never followed through because of the recipes. Great job! I’m in! Thanks and keep doing great things.
I tried this a few weeks ago and it was boooomb!! I added more nutritional yeast and some seasonings and I soaked my cashews just to make them easier to blend since I just have a regular degular blender. I am SO happy to finally have a substitute for mac n cheese that is delicious and satisfying…thanks for sharing Kim!!
[…] greasy and fatty it is. It usually sits in my stomach like a ton of bricks. I decided to make this recipe, and it was AMAZING! I would highly recommend it. I honestly enjoyed it just as much as […]
Kim — I’ve been vegan for 3 months and I am always looking for recipes. I made this for Thanksgiving and it was so good. I’ll definitely will make again!
How long can I store the mac and cheese in the frig you think? 3-4 days?
Hi, have you lost any weight as a vegan?
I was wondering if you soak the cashews first? Thank you for this recipie, I can’t wait to try this.
wanna become vegan and you are helping me so much
im in the process of trying to become vegan do you have tips/ideas
Start off slowly and begin to gradually cut out meat and replace it with something else. There are a lot of great vegan recipes and foods, just do a bit of research to see what you think you will like.
Another recipe that I need to try!
I would love to win the 2 pairs of shoes.
YT: ladystephm
I honestly should try this since I don’t eat many foods. This seems like a great recipe!
YT: TJordan
I would be happy to receive 2 pairs of just fab shoes thank you 🙂
Omg i wonder how that tastes, i loooove mac & cheese!
LAST DAYYYY
first off im definitly gunna try this recipe, im diabetic so I’ve been trying to eat healthy lately & trying vegan is one of my ideas to eat better & i love Mac & cheese ! Congrats on your youtube success & your blog. I’ll continue to support you & pray for your success!
If I won the youtube giveaway my dream prize would be the ombré lace wig . thanks for giving us subbies the opportunity to enjoy a few of your items ☺️ be blessed .
I love your food recipes! YouTube name :emandeni Prize #4
hmmmmm yummmmy
i´m so trying this out 🙂
my favorite would be the entwine styling products.
Youtube user: Nimota Ashimi
This really looks great! I would like prize 2 or 6 pretty please 🙂
SOOOO excited to try this recipe!!! Im doing a fast right now and vegan recipes are saving my life!!! I’d love the full lace wig the most, I’ve been praying and wanting a really good quality wig for a long time and I absolutely love the way it looks!!! I would also loovvveee the Ralph Lauren bag because its gorgeous! Love you!!! 🙂 my Youtube name is Cestprincess 🙂
veganism seems like so much work…i tried for a week but i craved everything
congrats on 600k…i appreciate the giveaway
im interested in items 3, 6, & 4 in that order lol
youtube laila046
This looks very good! Even though I’m not vegan, I might try it…
My YouTube username is Briana Thomas and I would like prize number 1, 2, 5, or 6. Thank you!
I love your hair videos, and I would love to win #1 or #5 or #6
Haven’t eaten mac & cheese for probably a decade now (elementary school tingz) but this recipe looks so grown up and surprisingly healthy. I’d be willing to end my streak to try this xD BTW congratz on the 600K subbies!!! I’d like to enter in your giveaway for the 100$ visa gift card! Thanks and pce
Youtube user: jaasmiiinee
Thanks for this post! I love mac n cheese as well and I’ve been researching alternatives and ways to mix up my diet after reading some disturbing things about animal food products. Also, for your giveaway contest I would love to win any of your prizes 🙂 they’re all fabulous. Thank you so much for your work and congratulations on 600k subscribers!
I just commented on both here and on your fabulous YouTube channel to hopefully increase my chances on winning those gorgeous bags and that really cute flat iron but aside the giveaway, I’ve been following you for almost 3yrs ( basically when you started) and I know you are now a vegan, but I love to eat, and I know there are some amazing tasting vegan food but do you have cravings or take cheats outside of vegan food and if so how do you deal with that.. I am looking for a life change and you really inspire me. Oh and by the way my YouTube name is @FashionHairMakeup21
No, I don’t cheat and eat any meat, but I do sometimes eat things that contain cheese, milk, or eggs. I try my best to avoid it, but it’s a bit difficult to do when away from home.
Heyy doll, CONGRATS AGAIN on reaching 600K SUBBIES and CONGRATS on this AMAZING NEW SITE!! I’m not gonna leave you a ridiculously long comment on here like I did on your YT video. Hopefully you’ll see it when you check out those comments. It’s just so amazing that you’re giving back to your subbies and honestly I would be great full with any prize but I REALLY did love those bags and that flat iron was pretty cool seeing how my just broke last week and of course a gift card would be amazing. Thanks and .. @FashionHairMakeup21 is my YT acct name
Definitely will be trying this yummy recipe out since I’m kind of on a diet. Lol. I absolutely love your channel! I’ve been watching you before I even made a YouTube account :). You’ve helped me love my natural hair. So thank you so much 🙂 Congrats!!! I pray that your website becomes successful and that you keep shining. I’ll take any prize except the wig. Not a fan of those. My YouTube channel name is Havilah Baht-Israel
I would love to win the ombre wig please and thank you! !!!!
I made this for a potluck this weekend, it was super good and a crowd favorite
. I would love to win prize #2 (the Chi Air Flat Iron). Thank you for giving us the opportunity to enter your give a away. Congrats on everything, can’t wait to see what’s coming next!
YT: Massah Massaquoi
This looks nice. I didn’t think you’ll have recipes for me 🙂 My daughter is allergic to animal products, so I’m vegan by default. She loves mac n cheese, but after realising that animal by products were affecting her, I can’t seem to find a really good tasting mac n cheese recipe. Will definitely give this a try.
Re the prize, I’m in love with the bags (Prize # 4)
Youtube user: Janelle Foster
That looks VERY delicious
Hi , I’m burberryxo on Youtube I would like the 100 dollar gift card
I am trying this!!!
I would love to win anyone of your YT giveaways except the flat iron ( I have a twa)
My youtube name is Julie Brown
Sounds really good. The picture looks good also.
My YouTube name is Kimani Perry and I would like to win Prize #1.
This recipe looks so yummy, Thank God I seen this , it will help me a lot. Now I can enjoy healthy delicious comfort food.
Congrats again on getting over 600,000 subscribers, you deserve it girl , hope I can be as luck too!!
My YouTube name : Adebola Adeyeye
And I would like to enter for prize #2 or prize #6 , or any prize for that matter it doesn’t really matter , thank you so much for this opportunity !!
Now this right here i definitely need to cook up in my kitchen.
i love me some Mac & Cheese hunnie and to eat it in a healthier way?
Count me in darling 🙂
Again congrats on getting 600k subbies and congrats to many more
my YT name is: tis4tweety and i would like to enter for prize #4
thanks again & a big ole CONGRATS once more 🙂
Hey! I already left a comment to enter the giveaway, but then like a dummy (lol) changed my YouTube username. So my YouTube username is Paradise21853 and I would totally love to win the handbags or the entwine couture products. Thanks and congratulations on your many subscribers!
I am definitely going to try this recipe. Youtube name: classylady407
CONGRATS on 600K Subbies. I’m interested in either the Entwine Couture products or the Gift card.
I want to enter your giveaway. My YouTube name is Wondertray. I like the handbags and the hair products. By the way, this looks so yummy!
Does it give you the cheese like taste?
Yt: kamarijanai I’m interested in the flat irons
Great recipe!! I am not a vegan myself, but I’m always up to try new thing! For the giveaway, I will like to win the full lace ombré wig, username; Malia Colas
I will be trying this out. It looks really good! I want to enter in your giveaway. My youtube name is deana chante and I want to win prize number 6.
Mac and cheese is one of my favorite meals but I’m lactose intolerant so either avoid it at all costs or end up regretting eating it when my stomach hurts after. I’m hoping that this recipe will be the best of both worlds lol!
I’d also like to enter the giveaway and I would like the handbags. (youtube name: javychica)
love my vegan mac n cheese…i’ve never seen a recipe with dijon mustard, i will have to try that. My youtube name is luvnpeace and i would love to win either prize 5 or 6
I love how down to earth you are! You’re very laid back yet professional! Love your new site! I’ll be sure to keep up with it! The Mac & cheese looks amazing! I’d like to win the 2 handbags! Thank you in advance!
YouTube name ajanet025
Love me some mac and cheese! Will try this soon!!
For the giveaway:
Youtube: SharanahASL1234
I would love prize number (5) Two pairs of shoes from Justfab
I love finding new recipes and this looks amazing!!! I will be trying this soon!!
For the giveaway.. Youtube: iamourtoya
I would love to try the hair products and congrats!!
girl yes! i haven’t been here since the beginning but I started watching about 2 years ago. i went back to your older videos and you’ve come a long way! Congrats on everything and thank you for being a part of the reason i decided to start a channel of my own. I would love to win any of these prizes but especially the wig! my channel username was originally thriftstorejunkie88 but I can also be found at CeeToni
I looks good im also vegan and mac n cheese was the hardest to let go
Yt Name woahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh and prize 6
This vegan recipe seems to be so yummy. Basically almost all the recipes that you’ve posted on your website have been making me think about eating healthier and going vegan.. Thank you for inspiring !
My name on YT is Rose Paul and I’d like to win the flat iron, or the hair products or the burgundy bag 🙂
Congrats for you new website, I love it.. So Chic, so Natural !!
Cheese is my weakness. I don’t think I could ever be a vegan because of that but I will give this recipe a try. It does look delish. Sidenote: I would love those handbags! YouTube name: jazz.a.belle.
That vegan Mac looks and sounds very legit. I wish I would have came across it back when I was in my vegan cooking phase. I’m Taryn Bell from YouTube and I would love prize #6, the gift cards. Thank you.
This sounds delicious I been trying to find some vegan food I’m thinking about going vegan. The give away prize I would want to win is the #1 & #6… my YouTube name is Marciarra Hogans
Love anything about food. Have a dinner party tomorrow, mac’n’cheese is on the menu, too. I may use this.
Youtube name: andieph (prize# 5)
It’s seems to be yummy
I’ve stopped having meat almost 6 months ago for the 3rd time but I think this time I want to make it a permanent change. I also want to eventually transition to a vegan diet. This looks soo good and filling and still has the same comfort food vibe. Thanks for the recipe.
YouTube name: Brown_Sugah
Ohh oops. Forgot to indicate the prize I’m interested in. I’d love to receive prize number 4
Ugh why can’t I just go vegan already!
I love that I can relate to you fashion & diet wise. I don’t eat meat as well & most of my meals are vegan so I’m excited to see you post recipes. Thanks for this one 🙂
My YouTube name is vickycarol88
I seriously need to tell my sister about this! She basically LIVES off of Mac and cheese. It’s good to see a recipe that is dairy free for me and delicious for her!
Loving the site , great job!!!
Of course I looked at all the food posts ! I would love to hear more about your decision to go vegan. I’ve been thinking about doing the same myself but I love cheese. Definitely need to try this recipe out. Adding your blog to my Pulse feed right now !
YouTube name: Ingy ness (Prize #4)
lol okay maybe i eont go completely Vegan, but make some major and minor changes to mt diet, i love me some mac n cheese! lol
OMG I love the website!!!! Your website is indeed chic!!!!!!! And this Mac n Cheese is calling my name!!!
-You said in your video leave suggestions. its really little and not a big deal at all. When you click in the subscribe box to sign up for notifications you have to delete the words already there, they don’t clear away automatically.
-The Prize that would Like The shoes from Just Fab
Thank you, I will have that fixed!
I’ve been trying to stop bad eating habits and always wanted to try eating Vegan foods so this helps so much! Hope you have more recipes coming up. I hope I win this giveaway, I would love the Bags or 2 pairs of shoes from JF. My Youtube name is SarahLevv
I’m so excited 4 all that’s happening 4 u. I’ve been looking 4 heathy recipes 4 my son and I. Looking forward 2 try’n this Mac n cheese. Thanks!! May God continue to bless ur success!! Grateful 4 any prize.
I would like entwine couture product pack. I’m going to try this tomorrow I love mac n cheese now there’s a healthy version best of both worlds yayy me.
YouTube name rinniqua holley
I Love the Food Posts! Please do more of these!
-Youtube Name: OurLittleSecret
-Any Prize !!!
There maybe hope fore me going vegan after all. This looks and sounds incredible! Will definitely be trying it out this weekend.
YT name: PimpDaddyCee
I’d like to win pizza #2
Cheese sauce looks so good! Must try! Keep the vegan stuff coming! Great work
alohaaaaa. my yt name is rhoda williams and i would love to win the CHI flat iron or the bags .
that recipe looks yumm btw
Sounds good. Will try.
Hey my YouTube name is Jessenia James and I would love to win the first prize. The Mac & cheese looks really delicious I wish I knew how to cook so I can make it myself.
Hi! My YouTube name is mydiggy101 but my user name is mz_swaggariffic. I would like to win the handbags from your giveaway. Best wishes in everything that you do and peruse:)
Hello my name is Tresa Muller and even though I am not a vegan I like the idea of making mac n cheese another way. Thanks for sharing. For your giveaway I would love the shoes.