The easiest vegan mac and cheese recipe made with a super creamy vegan cashew cheese sauce! You won’t even miss the dairy. This recipe is a plant-based comfort food staple that everyone will love.
Don’t let the vegan title fool you. This my friends is going to be one of your new favorite plant-based comfort food staples. If you’re a lover of traditional mac and cheese (made with dairy), I have a feeling you’re going to really like this recipe!
Cashews are an incredibly versatile nut and one that is commonly used in plant-based dishes as a cheese or cream-based alternative. Speaking of, if you haven’t tried my Vegan Caesar Salad (made with cashews), add that to your dinner menu this week. That one is a winner!
Ingredients in vegan mac and cheese:
- Cashews
- Almond Milk (any plant-based milk should work): You could substitute this for water but the almond milk makes it super creamy.
- Nutritional Yeast: If you’re new to Nutritional Yeast, it’s amazing. It’s the secret to making any plant-based dish taste cheesy. So, what is nutritional yeast you ask? It’s a deactivated yeast made from sugarcane and beet molasses. It has a cheesy and nutty flavor and contains an incredible amount of B vitamins. You can buy nutritional yeast at most grocery stores including Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. I like to order it from Thrive Market.
- Garlic Cloves: You can never have too much garlic, right?
- Dijon Mustard: This gives the mac and cheese a slightly tangy flavor.
- Spices: Paprika, Turmeric, Salt, and Pepper
- Pasta: I prefer to use a grain-free or gluten-free pasta such as Banza or Tolerant which are chickpea and lentil-based.
How simple is that ingredient list?
How to make vegan mac and cheese?
- Let me just start by saying that is this vegan mac and cheese SO easy to make! First, you’ll need to soak your cashews in water for 2 hours. Add cashews to a bowl with water and set aside.
- Throw all the vegan cashew cheese sauce ingredients to a blender and blend until completely smooth. Taste and adjust the seasonings as necessary.
- Boil your pasta until al dente, then drain and add back to the pot. Stir in the vegan cheese sauce for the creamiest mac and cheese ever. Yum!
The next time you’re craving a bowl of comfort food or your kids ask you for mac and cheese, give this recipe a try! I promise you’re going to love it and probably go back for seconds.
If you try this recipe, leave a comment below! Also, don’t forget to tag your photos @livingwellwithnic on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
Easy Vegan Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups Raw Cashews
- 1 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
- ¼ cup Nutritional Yeast
- 2 Garlic Cloves
- 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
- ½ tsp Ground Turmeric
- ½ tsp Ground Paprika
- 1 tsp Salt
- Black Pepper to taste
- 1 pound Shell Pasta (grain-free) or any pasta you like!
Instructions
- To make the cashew cheese sauce: soak the cashews in 4 cups of water for 2 hours
- Once the cashews have finished soaking, you can make the sauce: add drained cashews, garlic, nutritional yeast, almond milk, turmeric, paprika, dijon mustard, salt and black pepper to a high powered blender. Blend until a thick sauce comes together. If you want a thinner sauce, add a bit more almond milk. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary.
- Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package, until they are al dente. Drain the pasta, then add back to the pot and stir in your cashew cheese sauce. Garnish with freshly ground black pepper.
