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Home » Mains » Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese - Tastes Incredible!

Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese - Tastes Incredible!

December 22, 2019 / Updated January 28, 2021 / By Verna / 22 Comments

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vegan mac and cheese baked in a casserole dish

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!

baked vegan mac and cheese being served from casserole dish

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.  

baked mac and cheese being scooped from baking dish

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

cheese sauce being poured on macaroni noodles

How to make baked vegan mac and cheese:

Such a simple recipe!!

  1. Preheat oven to 350° Grease a 2 & 1/2 or 3 quart casserole dish, or -8x11 works too!
  2. 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
  3. Cook pasta according to package directions. Don’t overcook. Drain, toss with drizzle of oil, add to baking dish
  4. 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  
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

step by step photos how to make baked vegan mac and cheese

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)
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vegan Mac and cheese on a fork

Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese - Tastes Incredible!


★★★★★

5 from 9 reviews

  • Author: Verna
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegan
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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

Scale
  • 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

  1. Preheat oven to 350° Grease a 2 & 1/2 or 3 quart casserole dish, or -8x11 works too!
  2. 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
  3. Cook pasta according to package directions. Don't overcook. Drain, toss with drizzle of oil, add to baking dish
  4. 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
  5. 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.
  6. 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,

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @cheeky_chickpea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #cheeky_chickpea_

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lorna

    December 07, 2020 at 9:02 am

    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.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Verna

      December 07, 2020 at 9:18 am

      so nice to hear. Thank you!

      Reply
  2. Mary

    December 18, 2019 at 7:03 pm

    Just made this and added some spiced Dijon mustard : it is the best 😊

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Verna

      December 19, 2019 at 12:11 am

      Sounds like a tasty addition Midge! Glad you enjoyed the Vegan Mac and Cheese!

      Reply
  3. Tanya

    May 05, 2019 at 4:41 pm

    Holy cow this is really good. My oldest son asked for seconds. Never thought I’d be excited about macaroni ha ha

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Verna

      May 05, 2019 at 8:04 pm

      Glad you liked it. I feel the same way about this Mac and cheese lol. thanks for your comment Tanya.

      Reply
  4. Lee

    May 04, 2019 at 4:10 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Verna

      May 04, 2019 at 9:26 pm

      I usually buy Earth Balance. Miyoko's I buy for a treat once in a blue moon.? Enjoy the Mac and cheese!

      Reply
  5. michelle

    March 26, 2019 at 7:13 pm

    Best mac and cheese I have ever tasted!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • The Cheeky Chickpea

      March 26, 2019 at 8:46 pm

      Oh wow thanks so much Michelle! You just made my day ❤️

      Reply
  6. Amanda

    January 16, 2019 at 11:59 pm

    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

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • The Cheeky Chickpea

      January 17, 2019 at 1:31 am

      Thanks Amanda you just made my day? Glad you liked it.

      Reply
  7. Donald

    November 07, 2018 at 2:59 am

    Wonderful

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • The Cheeky Chickpea

      November 07, 2018 at 5:39 am

      Thanks so much! ?

      Reply
  8. Midge

    November 05, 2018 at 1:56 pm

    Wow , I made this delicious main dish for our family last night , it was a hit . Thank you for the recipe .

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • The Cheeky Chickpea

      November 05, 2018 at 3:29 pm

      I'm so glad your family loved it! Thanks so much for your comment Midge? Have a great day!

      Reply
  9. Jennifer

    November 01, 2018 at 10:54 am

    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 🙂

    Reply
    • The Cheeky Chickpea

      November 01, 2018 at 2:55 pm

      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!!

      Reply
  10. Caroline

    October 30, 2018 at 5:20 pm

    This looks delicious. Cannot wait to try this out!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • The Cheeky Chickpea

      October 30, 2018 at 8:01 pm

      Thanks so much for your comment Caroline ? Happy day to you

      Reply
  11. Laura

    October 30, 2018 at 3:42 pm

    My kids love it!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • The Cheeky Chickpea

      November 05, 2018 at 3:32 pm

      Yeah! that's awesome. Its a hit with my grandkids too? Thanks so much Laura.

      Reply

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