12 Best Vegan Mac & Cheese Recipes [Easy Dairy-Free Ideas] (2024)

Recipes » Vegan » 12 Best Vegan Mac & Cheese Recipes [Easy Dairy-Free Ideas]

July 13, 2022August 26, 2020

The best vegan mac and cheese recipes, loaded with elbow macaroni and plant-based cheese toppings. Mixed with dairy-free cashew or almond sauces, or easy nut-free alternatives, get your new favorite comfort food here.

12 Best Vegan Mac & Cheese Recipes [Easy Dairy-Free Ideas] (1)

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Mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. Unlike popular opinion, its vegan versions taste just as good. They’re creamy and cheesy, yet light to eat and much healthier! Without further ado, let’s look at the best vegan mac and cheese recipes for you and your family to enjoy.

Coconut Milk & Paprika

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Coconut milk’s rich and creamy texture makes it the perfect dairy-free ingredient for macaroni cheese, and this spin on the classic dish demonstrates why. This coconut milk mac and cheese combines plant-based butter with paprika and hot sauce to give it a bit of bite, before oven baking for 20 minutes to give it an incredibly satisfying crunch.

Carrot & Potato

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This recipe is so simple that it only takes 30 minutes! It is also extremely creamy, easy to make, and tastes just like the mac and cheese you remember from your childhood.

The vegan cheese used in this recipe is made of potatoes, carrots, olive oil, plant milk, nutritional yeast, and seasonings. You can also tweak this recipe easily to make it gluten-free.

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Broccoli, Kale & Peas

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This recipe results in creamy mac and cheese, where the vegan cheese tastes remarkably cheese-like. This mac and cheese recipe has only about 500 calories per serving, which is way less than most homemade mac and cheese recipes. The dish also adds broccoli, kale, and peas to the dish to increase your veggie intake.

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Cashew & Coconut Milk

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If you are looking for the creamiest vegan mac and cheese, this recipe will be your best bet! This recipe’s yummy, creamy cheese sauce is made from potatoes, carrots, onions, coconut milk, cashews, and nutritional yeast. The sauce comes together in a blender. Each serving of this mac and cheese contains less than 300 calories.

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Panko, Soy Milk & Turmeric

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This mac and cheese recipe is also nut-free, gluten-free, and soy-free. The recipe is easy to make and only takes a few minutes. It is also kid-friendly, meaning that even the pickiest eaters will love it! Nutritional yeast is the special ingredient in this recipe. Nutritional yeast has a naturally cheesy flavor that elevates the dish to the next level!

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Baked Paprika, Cashews & Bread Crumbs

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This is a simple recipe that is sure to be loved by kids and adults alike. The cheese sauce is made with cashews, water, nutritional yeast, Dijon, lemon, and spices. Once baked, the dish can also be stored in the freezer for up to three months.

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Creamy Cashew Cheese & Coconut Cream

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The star ingredient in this recipe’s cheese sauce is cashews. When blended with water, they turn into a creamy texture. Cashews add to the dish’s nutritional value by offering protein, healthy fat, and magnesium. This recipe can be easily turned into a gluten-free recipe by simply swapping in gluten-free pasta.

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Classic Spicy Macaroni & Miso Paste

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This recipe includes a tablespoon or two of hot sauce. The recipe author finds that adding hot sauce adds to the cheesy flavor without making it too spicy. The hot sauce also adds the perfect touch of spice for those who can handle the heat. The recipe calls for cashews, but you can swap cashews with coconut milk if you have a nut allergy.

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Dairy-Free Creamy Potato & Almond Milk

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This recipe requires only five minutes of prep time and twenty-five minutes of cooking time. The sauce has a smoky and tangy cheese flavor that everyone in your house is sure to love. This recipe is also gluten-free, which is a great bonus.

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Raw Cashew, Paprika & Mustard Mix

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This powder is easy to prepare and store and can be used to whip up your favorite cheesy pasta dish in minutes.

All you will need to do is mix this powder with the non-dairy milk of your choice, simmer the mixture, and you are done! Pour the cheese sauce over cooked pasta for a delicious and easy mac and cheese!

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Dijon Mustard, Panko & Elbow Noodles

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This recipe is made with homemade Dijon mustard, nutritional yeast and raw cashews. The combination brings a cheesy and creamy taste and texture to the pasta. You can cook it on the stovetop and bake after adding bread crumbs for a crisp, baked taste.

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Buffalo Cauliflower & Macaroni Noodles

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This recipe uses buffalo cauliflower to add an extra punch of flavor to mac and cheese. Top the cooked pasta with creamy cheese sauce and buffalo cauliflower. You can substitute any type of pasta in your kitchen pantry for this recipe, which makes it even more convenient and easy.

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12 Best Vegan Mac & Cheese Recipes [Easy Dairy-Free Ideas] (2024)

FAQs

What can I substitute for milk in mac and cheese? ›

To make mac and cheese without milk, the best choice is to find something that has a similar texture and a milk flavor. Things like heavy cream, almond milk, oat milk, yogurt, cream cheese, and even pasta water all work very well in boxed mac and cheese.

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What is vegan mac and cheese made of? ›

How to Make Vegan Mac and Cheese. First, make the vegan cheese sauce. Simmer sweet potatoes and potatoes until tender. Then, drain them, and add them to a blender with raw cashews, nutritional yeast, garlic, onion powder, apple cider vinegar, sea salt, water, and olive oil.

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Can you use water instead of milk for mac and cheese? ›

You most definitely can use water in place of milk in any pasta recipe including mac and cheese. It is how I make mine, in fact, and it is just as healthy and delicious. The thing is that it will make it not as creamy and perhaps less thick.

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Can you use chicken broth instead of milk in mac and cheese? ›

While this might not be the most traditional substitute, you can use chicken broth instead of milk in your mac and cheese! It adds a salty and savory flavor to it, and it adds moisture. However, it's thinner and less creamy than milk, so your sauce might not be as creamy as it would be with plant-based milks.

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What is a substitute for butter and milk in mac and cheese? ›

While I was cooking the pasta, I noticed a tip listed on the very bottom of the box: If you want a creamier mac and cheese, try replacing the butter and milk with a few spoonfuls of Greek yogurt.

How to make macaroni and cheese without milk and butter? ›

Yes, Kraft Macaroni & Cheese can be made without milk or butter. Instead, you can use water as a substitute. Simply follow the package instructions for cooking the macaroni, then drain it and mix in the cheese powder and a small amount of water to create the sauce.

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Can you make a roux without milk? ›

The white sauce and its derivatives are the most common ways of using a roux, but you can also use stock instead of milk for the base to a pie filling, or make a flavoured sauce called a velouté, which is normally enriched with cream.

How do you thicken mac and cheese without milk? ›

Use cornstarch or all-purpose flour.

In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch or flour with a cup of water. The cold water will create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the cheese sauce over medium heat, and let the sauce boil and thicken. The heat will also remove the raw flour taste.

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Can you substitute oil for milk in mac and cheese? ›

To make a roux, heat one tablespoon of flour (regular or gluten-free) and one tablespoon of fat like butter or oil over medium heat. Stir constantly for 2-3 minutes, or until the flour taste has disappeared. Mix the roux into mac and cheese just as you would milk.

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What to use instead of milk in Kraft mac and cheese reddit? ›

Get a small carton of half & half or heavy cream. Tastes MUCH better. And it'll last much longer than milk in the fridge. And if you do have to throw it out, you won't have to throw much out.

Can you make Annie's mac and cheese without milk? ›

While you technically can use water instead of milk in your mac and cheese recipe, it may result in a less creamy and flavorful sauce. Dairy-free milk substitutes, such as almond milk or oat milk, offer a more satisfying alternative that helps maintain the desired texture and taste.

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