As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Make an irresistible classic vegan baked mac and cheese that’s creamy, ‘cheesy’, & comforting – topped with crispy breadcrumbs + 100% nut-free, soy-free, and dairy-free!
Creamy, Comforting Vegan Baked Mac and Cheese
There’s nothing that quite epitomizes comfort food like a heaping portion of rich and creamy dairy-free mac and cheese. Over the years, we’ve tried our hand at every vegan variety we can think of; hidden veg mac and cheese, cashew mac, butternut squash mac, and even this baked potato mac n cheese. But if you want a tried and tested ‘classic’ vegan baked mac and cheese, this is our go-to recipe.
This vegan mac and cheese casserole contains no hidden vegetables, processed vegan cheese, nuts, or soy. Instead, its ‘cheesiness’ comes from nutritional yeast (check out this nutritional yeast guide), an inactive yeast with a naturally nutty, ‘cheesy’ flavor. When added to a wholesome, roux-based sauce, it makes a surprisingly creamy, ‘cheesy’ sauce with 0 dairy.
Top that with a crispy breadcrumb layer and bake until bubbling for a warm, comforting, satisfying meal, perfect as a simple weeknight meal and as a side or main for holiday entertaining.
Looking for other crowd-pleasing casseroles/bakes? Try our pumpkin pasta bake, black bean quinoa casserole, or spinach vegan lasagna. You might also like this recipe where you turn your box of mac n cheese into a meal!
The Ingredients and Substitutes
What Could I Add to Vegan Mac and Cheese?
- Dijon mustard: (or ground mustard) Just a small amount enhances the ‘cheesy’ flavor.
- White miso paste: Just a little to enhance the natural umami flavor without dairy.
- Lemon: Just a splash of lemon juice brightens the flavor of this vegan pasta bake.
- Vegan cheese: We specifically designed this recipe with no processed/hard-to-find ingredients. However, if you DO want to boost the cheesiness further, add a melty vegan cheddar cheese to the sauce and/or sprinkle it over the top.
- Spinach: Add a few handfuls of regular/baby spinach (or kale) for nutrients.
- Vegetables: Bulk up the baked vegan macaroni and cheese with veggies (fresh/frozen) like corn, peas, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, zucchini, cannellini beans, leek, etc.
- Hot sauce: To drizzle over the top.
How to Make Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese
Step 1: First, peel and finely dice the onion and mince the garlic. Then, cook the pasta according to the package instructions (usually minus 1-2 minutes for al dente results).
Step 2: When ready, drain the pasta over a bowl to save the starchy pasta water, then set it aside. Then, preheat the oven to 350F/175C and melt the vegan butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
Step 3: Once hot, add the onion and sauté until translucent (about 5 minutes). Then, whisk in the flour until it thickens and becomes a roux, about 3-5 minutes, before whisking in the pasta water until smooth and lump-free.
Step 4: Add the salt, soy sauce, garlic, turmeric, nutritional yeast, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using), and stir until the sauce thickens.
Step 5: Stir the cooked pasta into the vegan cheese sauce, then transfer the mixture to a 9×13-inch casserole dish and spread it evenly.
Step 6: Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the top, sprinkle it with paprika, then bake the vegan mac and cheese casserole for about 20 minutes. Then, broil the baked mac & cheese for a minute or two until the breadcrumbs are golden brown, then remove it from the oven and enjoy!
Pro Recipe Tips
- Cook pasta al dente: It will continue to cook when baked, so this ensures it doesn’t become overly mushy.
- Save the pasta water: This makes up the base of our vegan cheese sauce.
- Use the right pasta: Macaroni is traditional, but you can use other shapes – just make sure they’re ones that hold/cling to sauces well (i.e., with lots of ridges or curves) for the best vegan baked mac n cheese.
- Tweak the flavors: Taste the sauce before adding the pasta, and adjust any of the seasonings (or nutritional yeast) to your liking.
FAQs
Technically, yes, though the texture may vary. Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, gluten-free pasta (make sure to cook it al dente before baking since it becomes mushier than regular pasta), and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Prepare and assemble the unbaked vegan mac and cheese up to 2 days in advance, storing it covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator. However, if doing so, cook the pasta al dente and add a little extra sauce, as the pasta soaks up the sauce and softens over time.
Remove it from the fridge 30 minutes before baking, add the breadcrumbs, and bake.
Yes, just combine the sauce and pasta on the stovetop, then serve. It won’t have the crispy crumb topping, but it still tastes delicious.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy this dairy-free mac and cheese alone or with a side of:
- Garlic bread or no knead bread
- Leafy green salad – like vegan Caesar salad or strawberry kale salad
- Light salads like cucumber radish salad or raw carrot salad
- Heartier salad – like kale quinoa salad or Greek cucumber salad
- Vegetables – roasted caramelized Brussels sprouts, green beans, oven charred broccoli, cauliflower
- Sauteed kale or spinach
- Mushrooms (like this mushroom steak, cauliflower steak, or tofu steaks
- A starter of soup – like vegan tomato soup, curried carrot soup, or roasted red pepper soup
- On your Thanksgiving table (check out these 45 Vegan Thanksgiving recipes) with all your favorite sides
Storage Information
Leave the non-dairy mac and cheese to cool, then store leftovers in an airtight container (or the oven dish, covered with plastic wrap) in the fridge for 3-4 days.
You can technically freeze the leftovers, too, but pasta softens upon thawing. If you want to try, store it in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Then, leave it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
To reheat the pasta, use a microwave in 30-second increments for single portions or pop it back in the oven at 350F/175C, covered in foil, until warm (15-20 minutes).
Vegan Baked Mac and Cheese
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 (1-pound) package of macaroni (or your favorite pasta)
- ½ cup of vegan butter
- ½ of a medium yellow onion, diced
- ½ cup of all-purpose flour
- 3 ½ cups of hot pasta water
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ¾ teaspoon of ground turmeric
- 1 cup of nutritional yeast
- ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon of red chili flakes (optional)
- ½ cup of bread crumbs
- ½ teaspoon of paprika
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain the cooked pasta over a bowl so that you save the water and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large pot, melt vegan butter over medium heat. Add onions and saute until they become translucent, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the flour and mix until it thickens and becomes a roux. Whisk roux continuously for 3-5 minutes.
- Whisk the pasta water into the roux. Add salt, soy sauce, garlic, turmeric, nutritional yeast, pepper, and chili flakes (if using), and stir until the sauce thickens.
- Stir the cooked pasta into the vegan cheese sauce. Transfer the 'cheesy' pasta into a 9×13-inch casserole dish, add an even layer of bread crumbs, and sprinkle with paprika.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- Turn the oven heat to broil, and broil for 1 minute.
Notes
- Cook pasta al dente: It will continue to cook when baked, so this ensures it doesn’t become overly mushy.
- Save the pasta water: This makes up the base of our vegan cheese sauce.
- Use the right pasta: Macaroni is traditional, but you can use other shapes – just make sure they’re ones that hold/cling to sauces well (i.e., with lots of ridges or curves) for the best vegan baked mac n cheese.
- Tweak the flavors: Taste the sauce before adding the pasta, and adjust any of the seasonings (or nutritional yeast) to your liking.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Although plantbasedonabudget.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Plantbasedonabudget.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
OOOPS..sorry, I just read where it can be frozen! Yay. Thank you.
This is delicious. I added broccoli. So creamy and definitely a wonderful comfort food.
Can it be frozen if leftovers?
Creamy and delicious.
So yummy!
wow these vegan mac and cheese really hits the spot. it is so satisfying and easy to make. Everyone loves them!
I agree! So satisfyingly delicious!
What an amazing, flavorful Mac & Cheese! Can’t wait to give your recipe a try! Thank you!
Let us know what you think! It’s a yummy one!