Vegan Mac and Cheese without Cashews (2024)

My vegan mac and cheese without cashews recipe is quick and easy to make. This hidden veggie mac and cheese is ready in 30 minutes, with 3 main ingredients plus spices.

This kid friendly mac and cheese is rich, smooth, velvety, satisfying, and comfort food at its finest!

If you liked my butternut squash mac and cheese, you'll love this classic dish!

Why you'll love this recipe

• This is a great easy weeknight meal! To meal prep, make the sauce ahead of time.
• This recipe is vegan, plant based, dairy free, soy free, nut free, and can easily be made gluten free with a simple substitution.
• Looking for a way to get your kids (or yourself) to eat more veggies? This recipe is the perfect healthy mac and cheese for toddlers and kids.
• The cheesy sauce is super versatile and can be adapted for other dishes, like my dairy free queso.

Equipment

• Food processor: To blend the sauce together, you'll need a high power blender or food processor.
• Saucepan: This ceramic saucepan set is nonstick and great for cooking!

Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make this homemade dairy free mac and cheese recipe! No milk needed.

• Macaroni: I suggest using elbow macaroni pasta, however you can use whatever pasta shapes you have on hand.
• Potato: This is the base of our vegan cheese sauce. For a smoother sauce, peel the potatoes.
• Carrot: Adds a slight sweetness plus color.
• Oil: This transforms the sauce into a luxurious creamy sauce.
• Lemon juice: For a touch of tang and brightness.
• Nutritional yeast: Nooch gives this dish a cheesy, nutty flavor.
• Spices: Onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, turmeric, salt, and pepper.

How to make vegan mac and cheese

Here's how to make vegan mac and cheese with potato and carrot, no cashews required!

1. Boil the potato and carrot until softened.
2. Blend the sauce together in a blender or food processor.
3. Cook the pasta al dente.
4. Drain the pasta, reserving the pasta water.
5. Coat the cooked pasta with vegan cheese sauce.
6. Add reserved pasta water, as needed, until desired consistency is reached.
7. Serve warm and enjoy!

Variations

• Make vegan gluten free mac and cheese by using gluten free elbow macaroni pasta.
• Make baked vegan mac and cheese by transferring the mac and cheese into a greased baking dish, topping with breadcrumbs, and baking at 350F for 20 minutes.
• Give spicy vegan mac n cheese a try by adding a few shakes of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper. Alternatively, stir in hot sauce or buffalo sauce before serving!

Serving suggestions

Serve with broccoli, peas, cauliflower, or your favorite steamed vegetable. Or pair with my kale caesar salad, mushroom steaks, or dinner rolls.

Storage

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Store in freezer safe bags in the freezer for 2-3 months.

How to reheat

• Microwave: Using 30 second intervals, reheat mac and cheese in the microwave covered with a damp paper towel, stirring between each interval.
• Stovetop: Add a splash of plant based milk (like almond milk, coconut milk, or oat milk) and warm in a saucepan over low heat on the stove.
• Oven: Heat in the oven at 350F for 10-15 minutes.

Related

Try these vegan pasta recipes next:

• Vegan vodka sauce
• Tahini pasta
• Garlic lemon pasta
• Vegan macaroni salad
• One pot red lentil pasta
• Vegan alfredo sauce
• Homemade spaghettios

I hope you enjoy this mac and cheese without milk as much as we do!

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