Toppings For Vegan Macaroni And Cheese
Steamed wilted greens and dried tomatoes: Rinse a good-size bunch of chard or kale and chop finely . Or, use whole baby spinach. Simply combine in a medium skillet or saucepan and steam until bright green. Or you can do a sauté with olive oil or garlic for extra flavor. Spinach needs only a minute or two chard and kale require 5 minutes or so. Serve over macaroni and cheese with sliced sun-dried tomatoes preferably moist but not oil-packed.
Broccoli and red bell pepper: Broccoli is as good to for topping mac and cheese as it is served on the side. Finely chop a broccoli crown or two. Combine in a medium skillet along with a diced red bell pepper and just enough water to keep everything moist. Steam over medium heat, covered, until the veggies are tender-crisp.
Sautéed onions : Chop a large onion and sauté in a small amount of olive oil over medium heat until golden brown. You can also add some bell pepper in addition to or instead of the garlic.
Mushroom and fresh herbs: Clean, stem and slice 8 to 12 ounces of cremini or baby bella mushrooms. Or use a combination of these brown mushrooms with a small amount of another variety like shiitake or porcini. Cook in a covered skillet with a water, over medium heat until tender. Stir in 1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley, basil, or dill, or a combination. Drain well.
Crisp-cooked vegan bacon is a great topping, too. Enough said!
Vegan Macncheese With Shiitake Bacon By Beatnic
We couldnt be more delighted to dig into this creamy side dish. The sauce is thickened with sweet potatoes yet tastes exactly like gooey, melty cheese. It seeps into the crevices of the shell-shaped pasta, providing a cheesy explosion in every bite. The shiitake mushroom topping is not optional. Just make it. Get the recipe here
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What Is Vegan Mac N Cheese Made Of
This sauce gets its signature cheesy flavor from a combination of nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and salt. Nutritional yeast, also sometimes called nooch, is a deactivated yeast, so its thought to be safe for those following a candida diet. I use it in my cashew Parmesan and popular vegan queso, too!
Just one tablespoon of nutrition yeast can contain up to 38 mg of niacin, which is involved in your bodys metabolism and enzyme function.
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Why Youll Love This Vegan Mac And Cheese Recipe
For being a plant based mac and cheese recipe, this recipe:
- Has nearly 17g of protein
- Is easily gluten free
- Is filled with healthy fats from cashews
- And is easy to customize with your fav mix-ins!
This vegan mac and cheese is filling, nutritious and a great way to impress your vegan or dairy free friends, or serve to kids who cant have dairy. Promise theyll gobble it right up! My 1 year old even LOVES this recipe.
What Are Ingredients In Vegan Cheese
The production of vegan cheeses has no animal component due to its vegetable protein-based composition. Some of these are made from soy beans, nuts, such as cashews and macadamia nuts, as well as vegetable oils, such as coconut milk. Another cheese derived from agar, tapioca, peas, and arrowroot is cheddar.
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Easy Vegan Mac And Cheese For One
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.
This super easy vegan mac and cheese for one is the perfect meal for your kids lunch or a comfy evening alone on the couch! Theres no need to buy expensive pre-made mixes or individual frozen meals when you can whip this up in minutes with a few simple ingredients!
Sometimes my kids want some mac and cheese for a snack, but I dont feel like making a full meal for the whole family. I just need a serving or two for them that I can make quickly.
I came up with this quick and easy vegan cream cheese-based recipe. Its truly the easiest way possible to make some dairy-free mac and cheese!
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How Do You Make This Vegan Macaroni And Cheese
To make the baked version
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees and lightly spray an 8 x 8 pan with cooking spray.
Take a medium to a large pot and boil enough water to cook your noodles in.
Once its boiling, add your noodles and cook to package directions for al dente when finished, strain in a strainer and put the cooked noodles aside.
Use either the same pot you cooked your noodles in or a frying pan and place it on medium-high heat.
Get your 1 cup of non-dairy milk ready and set aside add with the 1/4 cup of earth balance butter, and once melted, whisk in the flour for about 30 seconds.
Then slowly whisk in the milk- this will thicken pretty quickly.
Then add the vegan cheeses, whisking after each addition.
When all the vegan cheeses have been added, remove them from heat, you can then add the salt and pepper.
Take your strained cooked pasta and mix them with the vegan creamy cheese sauce in the skillet.
Once it is all mixed, place the mixture into the prepared 8×8 pan.
In a separate bowl, melt the 1.5 TB of vegan butter once melted, mix with the panko crumbs or bread crumbs, stir, then spread on the top of the vegan mac and cheese.
Cook in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes before enjoying.
If you want to keep this a stovetop vegan creamy macaroni and cheese instead of baking it, follow the recipe until the baking instructions.
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What To Serve With Mac And Cheese
Mac and cheese is a side dish that is loved by just about everyone! Here are a few of our favorite pairings on TSV that go well with this creamy pasta dish.
- Yield:Serves 6 8 1x
- Category:Entree, Pasta
- 16 oz. package pasta of choice
- paprika, garnish
- two pieces of bread or 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoonolive oil
- 2 cupsraw cashews, soaked
- 2 cupswater
- 1/4 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
- juice of 1/2 large lemonor 2 teaspoons vinegar
- 1 clove garlic or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoonwhite miso or 2 teaspoons dijon or 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 2 teaspoonscornstarch or arrowroot , optional
- 1 teaspoonsea salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
Vegan Mac And Cheese With Cashews
The most popular version of making dairy-free mac and cheese is by using cashews as a base. It results in such a creamy and velvety vegan cheese sauce!
Most vegan mac and cheese recipes with cashews use the following ingredients:
- cashews
- tapioca starch
This vegan mac and cheese is one of my all-time favorites! A combination of cashews, cooked potatoes, and carrots makes it incredibly creamy. Its packed with flavor and its completely oil-free.
Spice it up with some paprika powder and freshly chopped parsley. I also love to add in peas and mushrooms, but feel free to add any veggies you like. Spinach would also be a great idea.
Its my basic vegan mac and cheese recipe that is also great with other kind of pasta or gnocchi.
If youre looking for a spicier version of mac and cheese, you might like this spicy chipotle mac and cheese by Eva from The Curious Chickpea.
The sauce is also made with cashews and nutritional yeast, but for an extra kick of flavor Eva added chipotles in adobo. She topped it off with spicy chipotle marinated tempeh crumbles and scallion greens.
Vegan comfort food at its best so to say!
Mary Ellen from V Nutrition also has a delicious looking basic recipe for vegan mac and cheese with cashews on her blog. She adds coconut milk to the sauce to make it even creamier and velvety.
You can also use this sauce on baked potatoes, broccoli, and nachos.
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What Is Vegan Mac And Cheese Made Of
Vegan mac and cheese can be made in a variety of ways.
Some people like to go the whole foods route with a combination of nutritional yeast and raw cashews.
Im not a fan of that variety, and I prefer this classic mac and cheese take.
You can use all the regular ingredients you use with real mac and cheese but use vegan substitutes.
Crispy Baked Vegan Mac And Cheese
Today, Im sharing my vegan spin on the ultimate comfort food: Crispy Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese!
This recipe features an easy cheese sauce that is ridiculously creamy and cheesy . Once mixed with elbow macaroni, it gets topped with a buttery bread crumb topping and baked until crunchy and browned. The textural contrast of creamy and crispy is irresistible and every bite is packed with flavor, indulgence, and nostalgia.
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What Is In Vegan Mac And Cheese
Its hard to beat a hearty serving of creamy Mac and cheese, especially if you do not have to worry, even as a vegan. But what is in vegan mac and cheese that makes it so good and unique, anyway?
It may be hard to imagine vegan Mac and cheese, primarily if you have heard of it. But I tell you, its not impossible at all.
Dairy-free macaroni and cheese are also known as vegan Mac and cheese. Cheese, butter, milk, and cream are all out of the question and the equation for the recipe. I found some substitutes for these ingredients, but I can guarantee no ingredients on the list will be derived from animals.
Vegan Mac And Cheese Variations
Baked Mac and Cheese: Once the pasta and vegan cheese sauce is combined, add it to a baking dish and bake with bread crumbs sprinkled on top. Use store-bought bread crumbs or try our homemade breadcrumbs recipe.
Garlic Mac and Cheese: Fresh garlic and roasted garlic are excellent in this recipe. Add either to the vegan butter just before adding the flour. For fresh, Id use 2 to 3 cloves. For roasted garlic, you can increase it to 6 cloves or more. See our recipe for making roasted garlic.
Broccoli Mac and Cheese: A kid favorite! Stir roasted broccoli or steamed broccoli into the pot before serving. Heres how we make roasted broccoli.
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What Is Vegan Mac And Cheese Anyway
Vegan mac and cheese is essentially the same thing as regular mac and cheese, sopasta with a cheese sauce, duh. BUT it isnt made with cheese. That being said, it still tastes like macaroni and cheese. And as long as it tastes good, we dont care what you make it with.
Were spilling the beans on how to make cheese sans cheese and hintits cashews.
Is It Ok To Make Mac And Cheese Ahead Of Time
Absolutely! If you are hosting a dinner or a huge party at home and cooking everything from scratch, I recommend you neutralize your load and prepare mac and cheese ahead of time. You can place it in the refrigerator, and it will last for up to 3 days. So, prepare it at least two days ahead of time, and you can freshen it up before serving.
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How To Make Vegan Mac And Cheese Taste Even Better
Its all about the ingredients you put into a vegan mac and cheese that makes it more flavorsome. Honestly, mac and cheese taste just perfect with three simple ingredients. I mean, the creaminess alone compensates for everything else. But if you still want to make your vegan mac and cheese taste even better, we have a few ingredients that you might add to it. These are:
How To Make Vegan Mac And Cheese Step By Step
- Boil or steam the potatoes and carrots in a large pot for about 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package directions . Drain and set aside.
- Place all the vegan cheese ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth .
- Mix the cooked pasta and the vegan cheese in the pot .
- Serve your vegan mac and cheese and enjoy .
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How To Make The Creamiest Vegan Macaroni And Cheese
This vegan macaroni and cheese is simple to make and tastes fantastic. I love that you can keep this as a quick stovetop mac and cheese or slide it into the oven to get bubbly and browned. I love it both ways.
To make our go-to recipe, you will need the following :
Vegan butter and all-purpose flour: Its the combination of butter and flour that thickens the sauce.
Non-dairy milk: I typically use unsweetened soy milk, but any non-dairy milk will work. Unsweetened is best.
Nutritional yeast: This is what makes our mac and cheese taste so cheesy. Nutritional yeast is quite common in vegan recipes. If you are not familiar, its full of vitamins and minerals and adds a cheesy flavor to dishes. Its perfect in this mac and cheese. We also use it when making our delicious vegan queso.
Dijon mustard: We also use Dijon mustard when making our classic mac and cheese. It rounds out the sauces flavor and makes it taste even better.
Spices including onion powder, garlic powder, nutmeg, salt, and pepper all come together to make the sauce taste incredible.
The Best Vegan Cheese For Mac And Cheese: Miyokos Farmhouse Cheddar
I tried MANY different kinds of vegan cheese, and the winner was Miyokos. It didnt have that overly buttery taste and weird smell that the other cheeses had. It wasnt as pretty and realistic looking as the other cheeses, though. I found it in Target, so that was another plus. I love the way this cheese melted down and didnt have an aftertaste. It did require some stirring, though! Ill continue to try a different cheese, but for right now, Miyokos is giving me the BEST authentic cheese flavor!! Second Runner Up: Violife. My kids preferred Violife. I love this cheeses look, but it had a slight smell and an artificial butter taste. My son came into the kitchen and asked was I making biscuits, lol. Ive also made it with Miyokos Farmhouse Cheddar and just a handful of Violife mozzarella cheese and that was also good. Miyokos also has a smoked cheddar and mozzarella that was out of stock during my testing, but I LOVE smoked cheese in mac and cheese and cant wait to try it!
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So How Do You Make Cheesy Pasta Without Cheese The Answer Is Cashews And Nutritional Yeast
I know, I know, it sounds crazy, but hear me out. The creamy, dreamy texture of this vegan cheese comes from soaked cashews, while nutritional yeast gives this cheese sauce all the cheesy goodness of the traditional version.
- Nutritional yeast: We love Bobs Red Mill Nutritional Yeast. Its what gives this sauce its cheesy flavor and its packed full of vitamins and minerals!
- Raw cashews: The cashews will give this sauce that dreamy creaminess that usually comes from cheese and milk. Simply soak the cashews to soften them up and theyll blend right up into a thick and creamy sauce.
- Dairy free milk: We used almond milk, but any neutral flavored nondairy milk would work! Cashew milk or pea milk would be great, but Id steer clear of coconut or soy milk which tend to have a bit of an after taste. Make sure you are using an unsweetened version without any vanilla or other flavorings as this will lead to a funky after taste.
- The perfect blend of spices: We used garlic powder, chili powder, onion powder, and paprika to give this vegan mac and cheese the kind of deep flavor profile that you would get from using a blend of cheeses.
It has that home cooked, stovetop mac and cheese taste without any dairy cheese. Top it off with some toasted bread crumbs and fresh thyme and you are in for a real treat!
Pro Tip: You could also easily make this vegan macaroni and cheese gluten free by subbing gluten free pasta and breadcrumbs!
Recipe Tips Variations And Substitutions
- Thin the cheese with liquid. If the cheese is too thick, or if youre reheating it, add a splash of reserved pasta water. You can also use vegetable broth or non-dairy milk.
- Use less pasta. For extra saucy mac and cheese, use less pasta per batch of vegan cheese.
- Mix with other sauces. Stir in BBQ sauce, hot sauce, salsa, or vegan pesto for added flavor.
- Top with spices and herbs. Try garnishing your mac and cheese with everything bagel spice, crushed red pepper flakes, or fresh herbs.
- Add vegetables. Elevate your mac and cheese with roasted or sautéed vegetables.
- Serve with vegan bacon.Vegan bacon is the perfect partner for homemade mac and cheese.
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Watch How To Make Vegan Mac And Cheese
Recipe adapted from my vegan queso.
Make it gluten free: Simply use your favorite gluten-free noodles.
*On broccoli: You can omit the broccoli altogether, or replace it with finely chopped kale or peas . If you omit it, you might not need to use all of the sauce.
**Raw cashew notes: Most recipes like this suggest soaking the cashews for 4 hours in advance to make them easier to blend and to digest. I honestly never soak mine since I have a powerful Vitamix that blends them right up. The cashews in this recipe are cooked in hot liquid, so theyre softer and even easier to blend. However, if you dont have a great blender or if youre concerned about the digestibility factor, go ahead and soak them in advance.
