Turn Your Box of Mac n Cheese into a Meal

Turn a box of mac and cheese into a healthy meal by adding vegetables for a full and satisfying meal in just minutes using your stovetop! Enjoy tender spiral noodles and veggies coated in a creamy dairy-free white cheddar that tastes just like the classic comfort food we all love.

A Quick and Easy Mac and Cheese Recipe

This recipe uses ready-to-use ingredients like boxed pasta and frozen veggie mix so you can make an easy yet nutritious dish without sacrificing taste and quality. We used GOODLES Vegan is Belivin’ boxed Mac and Cheese and we are hooked!

Aside from being 100% vegan, GOODLES Vegan Believin’ is also one of the first mac and cheese brands to be Clean Label Certified. Each box contains 12g of protein, 7g of fiber, and 21 nutrients from various plant sources like chickpeas, broccoli, spinach, kale, pumpkin, and more. The vegan cheese sauce is primarily made from cashews flavored with garlic, nutritional yeast, apple cider vinegar, and loads of natural plant-based extracts which gives the pasta a nutty, sweet, and tangy flavor.

While a box of GOODLES contains plenty of healthy, whole-food ingredients, adding more vegetables not only boosts its health benefits but also adds color and texture. This is perfect for hectic weekdays, quick dinners, potlucks, or your kid’s lunch boxes.

The Ingredients

You only need two ingredients to make this dreamy and delicious pasta dish! The rest are optional but would add so much to the dish, so we highly recommend garnishing it generously.

• Boxed mac and cheese – You will need three GOODLES Vegan Mac and Cheese for this recipe. You can find Vegan is Believin’ Nationwide in Target or Whole Foods. You can use their locator to find out where the nearest available store in your location is. Use promo code NOCHEESEPLZ for 20% off of Vegan is Believin’ here.
• Frozen veggie mix – We opted to use frozen packed vegetables to keep things simple. This will also reduce your prep time as you do not need to peel and cut, just thaw. You can use any mix that you like for this recipe.
• Garnishes – We used black pepper, chopped parsley, and crushed red pepper to garnish. This adds a nice depth of flavor and color to the dish before serving. These are optional so you can omit them if you want to.

Possible Add-ons

• More vegetables. You can also use fresh vegetables like broccoli, edamame, spinach, cauliflower, squash etc. This is a great way to sneak in some veggies for the kiddos. They’ll be coated in gooey vegan cheese, so they will not mind at all! You can also try adding our Roasted Mushrooms, Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, or Sautéed Asparagus. 
• Top with breadcrumbs. You can toast some breadcrumbs in a pan with oil and once they are golden and crisp, just sprinkle on top before serving.
• Spices. If you want to give the dish a more complex taste, add spices like basil, oregano, white pepper, paprika, cayenne, and nutmeg.
• Proteins. Muscle up your meal by adding more protein-filled goods like crispy pan-fried tofu, BBQ cauliflower wings,  or air fryer chickpeas.

How to make GOODLES Vegan Mac and Cheese

This recipe could not be any easier to make! You only need a stovetop to make it. Here’s how:

• Cook the Mac and Cheese according to the package instructions. 

• When the Mac and Cheese has 2 minutes until ready, add in the veggies. Mix well, cover with a lid, and continue cooking until for the additional 2 minutes. 

• Serve immediately and sprinkle black pepper, parsley, or crushed red pepper (if using).

Top Recipe Tips 

• Prep the frozen veggies. Make sure that you thaw and properly drain the frozen vegetable mix before using them. This will prevent the dish from becoming soggy.
• Follow the package instructions. Make sure to read and follow the instructions to prevent under or overcooking the pasta.
• Make it your own. Do not hesitate to experiment by using different add-ons that you think will enhance the recipe to suit your taste.

Recipe FAQS

Serving Suggestions 

This dish is a complete meal on its own, with plenty of carbs, proteins, and vitamins to keep you full! However, it is also a great side dish that you can serve with Quinoa Chickpea Patties, Vegan Lentil Burgers, Pan-fried Garlic Tofu, and Black Bean Meatballs.

You can also serve this with some fresh salad or veggies on the side like our Greek Cucumber Salad or Kale Quinoa Salad.

Storage Instructions

Any leftovers should be placed in an airtight container and kept in the fridge for up to 4 days max. You can reheat portions in a microwave for a few seconds or gently warm them in the oven before serving. If it becomes a bit dry after reheating, add a dash of dairy-free milk to give it moisture.

More Pasta Recipes:

• Creamy Pumpkin Pasta
• 15-Minute Cherry Tomato Basil Pasta
• Easy Penne Alla Norma

Photos by Alfonso Revilla