Vegan Mac and Cheese | Simply Quinoa

What You’ll Need

Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.

For the Pasta:

• Pasta – If you want to make it even higher in protein, I suggest using some form of bean pasta.
• Breadcrumbs – To make gluten-free vegan mac and cheese, you can use gluten-free panko in addition to your favorite gluten-free pasta.

For the Sauce:

• Raw cashews – Soaked these for at least 2 hours so they puree smoothly.
• Nutritional yeast – The not-so-secret ingredient that makes the sauce taste cheesy.
• Garlic
• Fresh lemon juice – Lemon juice adds the tang of cheese.
• Miso paste – Use shiro miso to mimic the depth and umami of cheddar.
• Tahini
• Spices – Smoked paprika, nutmeg, sea salt, pepper, and turmeric.
• Water

How to Make Vegan Mac and Cheese

• Prepare. Preheat your oven to 350ºF and cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package.
• Combine the sauce ingredients. Add the drained and rinsed cashews to a blender with the remaining ingredients and 1/3 cup of water. 
• Puree. Blend on high speed, adding more water if needed. Season to taste.
• Assemble. Drain the pasta and place it in a baking dish. Add the sauce and stir to combine, then sprinkle the breadcrumbs on top. 
• Bake. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then serve.

Tips for Success

• Cook the pasta to al dente. It will continue to soften in the oven as it absorbs the vegan mac and cheese sauce. This is especially important with bean and other gluten-free pastas, which have a tendency to fall apart once they’re over-cooked.
• Don’t skip soaking the cashews. The raw cashews need to be soaked for at least 2 hours to achieve a creamy, smooth sauce. If you’re short on time and have a high-speed blender, soaking them in hot water for 30-45 minutes will work too.
• Adjust the consistency. If your sauce turns out too thick, add more water a tablespoon at a time. Keep in mind that the sauce will thicken a bit as the mac and cheese bakes.

Variations

This vegan mac and cheese recipe is a great base for mix-ins and other toppings. Since it’s just a plain and simple cheese sauce, you could totally add in vegetables, protein, spices, hot sauce, etc., to jazz it up and make it your own. It would be great with peas, broccoli, or spinach!

What to Serve With Vegan Mac and Cheese

A simple vegetable side like oven roasted root vegetables or green bean almondine is the perfect pairing for this vegan mac and cheese. For a little more protein, serve it alongside herb crusted baked tofu or smoky tempeh bacon.

How to Store

You can store leftover vegan mac and cheese in an airtight container or wrapped in the baking dish in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or, if you’re reheating larger portions, you can cover them with foil and reheat at 350ºF until warmed through.

Can I Freeze This Recipe?

This baked vegan mac and cheese recipe freezes well too. Assemble it up to the point of baking, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months; thaw in the refrigerator before baking according to the recipe instructions.

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