This baked vegan mac and cheese is a family favourite . Kids and adults love it! Macaroni noodles smothered in the ultimate dairy free cheese sauce topped with bread crumbs and baked to crispy cheesy perfection. Easily Gluten free!
Perfect easy comfort food thats’s good for your soul! A must have holiday side dish too! No one will believe it’s vegan!
No butternut squash, potatoes or carrots needed this is a quick and easy baked pasta dish and it’s delicious!
I dare say I know no one who doesn’t love baked Mac and cheese- Am I right! It is one of the most loved classic comfort dishes there is, and you’d be hard pressed to realize my vegan mac and cheese recipe is made without out dairy!!
No milk no butter! And it’s absolutely divine! It’s saucy, rich, creamy, super cheesy and topped with a flavourful crispy buttery breadcrumb topping and baked to perfection.
And if your a total mac and cheese fan you must check out my Spicy Jalapeño Cheddar version— really tasty!
Ingredients needed for Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese:
- Cashews: adds amazing creaminess
- Plant milk: I like unsweetened cashew or oat milk not almond milk
- Vegan cheese: I use Daiya cheese -only block style cheddar never pre grated taste is way better! Of course use your favourite but I highly recommend recipe as written
- Nutritional yeast: umami cheese flavour for sauce and topping
- Vegetable bouillon paste: I always use better than bouillon it is far superior than other brands in my opinion
- Lemon juice: for a little tang
- Bragg or Tamari: saltiness and depth of flavour, could sub soy sauce
- Spices: granulated garlic and onion, paprika, turmeric for colour and salt
- Macaroni noodles: can use elbow macaroni or straight cut
- Panko Bread crumbs: for topping casserole, can easily use gluten free if needed
- Miso: another cheesy element for topping (optional)
- Melted vegan butter: for binding with bread crumbs for a delicious crispy top
How to make baked vegan mac and cheese:
Such a simple recipe!!
- Preheat oven to 350° Grease a 2 & 1/2 or 3 quart casserole dish, or -8x11 works too!
- Make topping: Combine the melted vegan butter and miso in a medium bowl, then add in the breadcrumbs and nutritional yeast. Mix by hand. Set aside
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Don’t overcook. Drain, toss with drizzle of oil, add to baking dish
- While noodles are cooking make sauce: Add cashews to a small bowl, cover with boiling water from kettle for 5 minutes. Drain, and add to your Nutra bullet or blender with the 1/2 cup of water , blend until smooth. Set aside
- In a medium pot add the cashew cream and rest of sauce ingredients. Cook uncovered over medium heat, stirring until cheese is melted. I usually let it simmer for a minute and then remove from heat. Pour sauce over noodles and mix together. Sprinkle the topping evenly over pasta.
- Bake at 350° uncovered for 15 minutes until hot and golden brown. If you'd like the top of the casserole even crispier broil for a minute or two, just watch it browns really fast! Enjoy as is or with a side of Caesar salad, steamed broccoli or green peas! For full recipe ingredients and instructions see recipe card below.
What to serve with Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese?
- Classic Vegan Coleslaw Recipe
- Vegan Caesar Salad (Best Caesar Dressing!)
- Vegan Broccoli Salad
- Steamed broccoli and or cauliflower
- vegetables like green peas
- Green salad
- Garlic bread
- or Enjoy with your holiday dinner as a side dish!
Can you freeze Vegan Mac and Cheese?
- I suggest portioning and freezing just the vegan cheese sauce for a quick and easy lunch, just cook some noodles and reheat the sauce in the microwave or stovetop. I wouldn’t recommend freezing the pasta as the noodles get mushy once defrosted.
You'll love my Vegan Mac n Cheese, it's:
- baked with a crispy Panko topping!
- Easy
- Dairy free
- Cheesy
- the ultimate comfort food
- Creamy
- Easily gluten free
- My grandkids favourite
- A great Family meal
Enjoy everyone. Happy Day! Feel free to comment below and rate this recipe. I'd love to hear from you!
Follow me on PINTEREST and INSTAGRAM for more tasty Plant Based and Vegan Recipes ❤️
Want more Vegan Pasta Recipes? Check these out!
- Best Vegan Baked Ziti Ever! (Easy Too)
- Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff
Jalapeño Cheddar Vegan Mac and Cheese
- Vegan Alfredo Sauce with Fettuccine
- Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Pasta (Tomato Sauce)
- Vegan Lasagna - The Best Recipe!
- Hearty Vegan Bolognese
- Vegan Hamburger Helper (Instant Pot or stovetop)
Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese - Tastes Incredible!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This baked vegan mac and cheese is a family favourite . Kids and adults love it! Macaroni noodles smothered in the ultimate dairy free cheese sauce topped with bread crumbs and baked to crispy cheesy perfection. Easily Gluten free!
Ingredients
- 2 and 1/4 cups uncooked elbow macaroni noodles or straight cut, gluten free if needed
Cheese Sauce:
- 1/2 cup soaked cashews & 1/2 cup water
- 2 and 3/4 cups unsweetened plant milk, I like cashew or oat milk (not almond milk)
- 1/2 cup Nutritional yeast
- 2 and 1/2 cups vegan cheese, grated (I use 1 block medium cheddar Daiya cheese, 200 grams, not pre grated bag)
- 1 tsp "Better Than Bouillon Seasoned Vegetable Base"
- 2-3 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp Braggs, or sub soy sauce Lite Tamari
- 1/2 tsp granulated garlic or more to taste
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp turmeric (optional for colour)
- 1/2 to 3/4 tsp salt
Bread Topping:
- 1 and 1/2 cups Panko bread crumbs reg or gluten free
- 2 tbsps nutritional yeast
- 1 tsp miso ( optional see notes*)
- 3 tbsps melted vegan butter, I usually use earth balance
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° Grease a 2 & 1/2 or 3 quart casserole dish, or -8x11 works too!
- Make topping: Combine the melted vegan butter and miso in a medium bowl, then add in the breadcrumbs and nutritional yeast. Mix by hand. Set aside
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Don't overcook. Drain, toss with drizzle of oil, add to baking dish
- While noodles are cooking make sauce: Add cashews to a small bowl, cover with boiling water from kettle for 5 minutes. Drain, and add to your Nutra bullet or blender with the 1/2 cup of water , blend until smooth. Set aside
- In a medium pot add the cashew cream and rest of sauce ingredients. Cook uncovered over medium heat, stirring until cheese is melted. I usually let it simmer for a minute and then remove from heat. Pour sauce over noodles and mix together. Sprinkle the topping evenly over pasta.
- Bake uncovered for 15 minutes until hot and golden brown. If you'd like the top of the casserole even crispier broil for a minute or two, just watch it browns really fast! Enjoy as is or with a side of Caesar salad, steamed broccoli or green peas! For step by step photos see above post.
Notes
- If you don't have miso, no biggy, just add a pinch of salt instead
- Gluten free: use gluten free bread crumbs and pasta
- store and freeze: will keep in fridge for 3-4 days. If freezing I suggest I suggest portioning and freezing just the pasta sauce for a quick and easy lunch, just cook some noodles and reheat the sauce in the microwave or stovetop. I wouldn’t recommend freezing the pasta as the noodles get mushy once defrosted.
- Category: Mains, gluten free,
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American, Canadian
Keywords: baked vegan mac and cheese, vegan macaroni and cheese,
Just made your macaroni yesterday and boy was it good I didn’t bake it we just tossed the cheese sauce with the noodles and chowed down. Thank you so much really yummy pasta.
★★★★★
Thanks so much!
the cheese sauce for this macaroni was so good, hard to believe it's vegan. My cheese eating husband loved it! We like it baked makes a great dinner for all of us thank you.
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so nice to hear. Thank you!
Just made this and added some spiced Dijon mustard : it is the best 😊
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Sounds like a tasty addition Midge! Glad you enjoyed the Vegan Mac and Cheese!
Holy cow this is really good. My oldest son asked for seconds. Never thought I’d be excited about macaroni ha ha
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Glad you liked it. I feel the same way about this Mac and cheese lol. thanks for your comment Tanya.
I've tried a few with so so results, but will definitely try this one next. Looks good! You've probably discussed this already somewhere, but what are your 2 favorite vegan butters? I've tried 2 so far but the flavor is a bit weird to me.
I usually buy Earth Balance. Miyoko's I buy for a treat once in a blue moon.? Enjoy the Mac and cheese!
Best mac and cheese I have ever tasted!
★★★★★
Oh wow thanks so much Michelle! You just made my day ❤️
Made this for lunch today. It was excellent. My friends were impressed. I’ve had a few vegan Mac and cheese recipes. This one is our favorite so far. Thx
★★★★★
Thanks Amanda you just made my day? Glad you liked it.
Wonderful
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Thanks so much! ?
Wow , I made this delicious main dish for our family last night , it was a hit . Thank you for the recipe .
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I'm so glad your family loved it! Thanks so much for your comment Midge? Have a great day!
sounds yummy... i just love mac and cheese... i'm trying to stay away from oil right now so no can do the daiya.. BUT I am on a constant hunt for that pasta... the one you have pictured is like the boxed kind that I use to devour. Any idea of where I can find it? thanks 🙂
Hi Jennifer ? You can buy the straight cut macaroni from amazon.ca. I will put link with the recipe. Totally spaced on that. Have a great day!!
This looks delicious. Cannot wait to try this out!
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Thanks so much for your comment Caroline ? Happy day to you
My kids love it!
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Yeah! that's awesome. Its a hit with my grandkids too? Thanks so much Laura.