This is the BEST Vegan Mac And Cheese recipe! A creamy delicious vegan cheese sauce made with raw cashews and poured over tender pasta. It’s SO easy to make and ready to eat in no time.
Yeah, I know. Every food blogger at some point says one of their recipes is “the best.” But, in this case, I really believe it.
Why? Because that’s what my kids said about this recipe. So, I’m just gonna go with it. Honestly, I do believe this vegan mac and cheese is one of the best recipes out there. And, I would love for you to have the chance to experience it.
Are you ready? Let’s GO!
Table of Contents
Does Vegan Mac and Cheese Taste Good
Are you kidding me?!? Yes, it is absolutely delicious. It’s creamy, smooth, tangy, and rich. Just like regular mac and cheese. Do you think I’d ever put something on here I thought sucked?
I love you too much.
How Do You Make Vegan Mac and Cheese
Start by cooking your pasta according to the instructions on the package. But, be sure and not to overcook. While the pasta is cooking, boil the cashews for about 10 minutes, and drain them. This will allow them to blend much easier and make them super creamy.
Now, add the cashews to your blender along with the unsweetened almond milk, water, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, nutritional yeast, turmeric, salt, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Blend everything on high until the cheese sauce is smooth and creamy.
Drain and rinse the pasta once it’s finished cooking. Pour the pasta back into the pot, stir in the vegan cheese sauce, and mix everything together. Now, just season to fit your taste and devour.
That’s it! The BEST Vegan Mac and Cheese even a non vegan will love!
Can I Make It Gluten Free
Yes, absolutely! The cheese sauce is already gluten-free so just use your favorite gluten free pasta to take it all the way. It’s that easy.
What To Serve With Vegan Mac and Cheese
- Vegan Parmesan
- Creamy Vegan Mashed Potatoes
- Green Bean Casserole with Onion Rings
- Sweet Potato Casserole
You will love this Vegan Mac & Cheese. It’s…
- Ultra Creamy
- Cheesy
- Hearty
- Satisfying
- Easy to make
- Perfect for the holidays
- A major comfort food
- Dairy free
- & THE BEST
Looking for more vegan cheese recipes? Try my Vegan Cheese Sauce and Vegan Cashew Queso. Both are amazing!
Looking for Christmas gifts or just want to update your own kitchen? Check out these 20 Kitchen Must Haves For Healthy Vegan Cooking.
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment below with a star rating. And, be sure to share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #shaneandsimple. I want to see your work!
PrintVegan Mac And Cheese
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins.
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 10 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Vegan
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 2 cup raw cashews, boiled for 10 mins.
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- ½ cup water
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup + 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 tsp. mustard (yellow or dijon)
- ½ tsp. turmeric
- 1 tsp. of salt
- ½ tsp. smoked paprika
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- 16 ounces of elbow or shell pasta of choice, ideally whole grain if possible
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to the instruction on the package. But, be sure and not to overcook.
- Boil and drain the cashews. Add the cashews to your blender along with the almond milk, water, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, nutritional yeast, turmeric, salt, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Blend on high until the cheese sauce is smooth and creamy. Set aside until the pasta is ready.
- Drain and rinse the pasta once it’s finished cooking. Pour the pasta back into the pot, stir in the vegan cheese sauce, and mix until everything is well combined.
- Season to taste and serve immediately!
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 261
- Sugar: 2.2 g
- Sodium: 146 mg
- Fat: 13.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 28.6 g
- Fiber: 3.8 g
- Protein: 9.4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Wendy
How many cups uncooked macaroni would 16oz be? (here in Canada everything is in grams!) Thanks!
Shane Martin
It would be 454 grams.
Starrysky
Really really like this cheese sauce! Have tried so many cheese sauce and mac and cheese recipes and yours is the first that actually tasted good and did not discard. Going to try your baked version too and add homemade seasoned bread crumbs. Loving your recipes and so glad I found your website. Thanks, Shane, and Blessings
Shane Martin
Thank you so much!!!
Karla
This was really, really good! I am going to make it on Christmas Day for guests but I would like to bake it with bread crumbs on top. I noticed the cashew sauce thickens up quite a bit upon sitting, so would you recommend increasing the water/milk to prevent. I feel like I would need to to keep in “saucey”. Thank you!
Shane Martin
Hi, Karla! Yes, I would suggest adding a little milk until it suits your preference. So glad you enjoyed it:)
Patricia Kurschinski
OK… I agree with your kids!! This is the best cheese sauce AVER!
I had everything in the house (I’ve been buying everything little by little) so I whipped it up. Delicious!!
Shane Martin
LOL, thank you so much!
Anna
Forgot to leave a rating! Definitely 5 stars!
Shane Martin
Thank you:)
Anna
This recipe is INCREDIBLE! It has so much flavor and is so easy to throw together with ingredients I always have in my kitchen. I always get requests every year to make this recipe for Thanksgiving! Thanks for another winner Shane!
Judi Sweat
Do I need to boil the cashews if I have a vitamix?
Shane Martin
No. I sometimes boil them just because I think it makes the creamier.
Jodi
Simply delicious! Thank you Shane!!!
Shane Martin
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
James
Thank you so much for this amazing recipe! I usually have it about once week, sometimes twice. I usually use unsweetened organic soy milk vice the unsweetened almond milk though to make it a little more creamier.
Jenny
So yummy! This really is the best. Even my picky four year old loves it!
Dana
This is the best Vegan cheese sauce I’ve tried
Ana
WOW! I have always found Mac and Cheese to be a bit bland but this is so delicious! Thanks for another great recipe Shane!
Stephanie Gussler
Can I use oat milk? I am excited to try this!
Shane Martin
Yes, absolutely!
Jenni Peters
This. Is. Amazing. I’ve tried so many cheese sauces. So, so many. And I agree with someone else who said the ingredients don’t look that different than the other recipes so I was super skeptical. But, I’ve liked all the recipes I’ve made from Shane, and had everything on hand, so I thought I’d give it a go. I’M SO HAPPY I DID. This recipe is never leaving my collection, and I will use even just the sauce recipe for multiple things. You must try this if you’re looking for a vegan cheese sauce. This is going to make my transition to giving up dairy so much easier. Thank you Shane!
Shane Martin
Thank you so much! And, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
Shirley
Can his be topped with bread crumbs and baked?
Shane Martin
Yes. Or, you could try this one:)
https://shaneandsimple.com/vegan-baked-mac-and-cheese/
Barbara
I’ve tried several vegan cheese sauce recipes but they all turn out watery. This is the thickest sauce I’ve tried! Thanks for a great recipe. I used veggie spaghetti noodles instead of the elbows. I love your recipes!
Shane Martin
Thank you, Barbara! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
Emily
Really good, this was my first time, I’ll be making this again for Hubby and me!
Claudia
This was so good! My first time making vegan Mac and Cheese and first time using my new VitaMix blender. I had all the ingredients on hand. Quick, easy recipe. Thank you!
LaTrice Mays
Hi Shane went on Amazon to order the cashews, but the bag does not look like your bag in the description when I clicked on the amazon link, please help am I ordering the right ones? Its called NUTS U.S. It is a four pound bag, which they are out of so Im trying to order the 2 pound bag.
Shane Martin
The link is correct the bag is outdated. I’ll try and get a better one.
Nicole
Our son has nut allergies. Do you think if we replaced the cashews with white beans it would work?
Shane Martin
Use this cheese sauce instead. It’s made with carrots and potatoes. Should work just fine:)
Carla Sokol
I cannot have nuts, either. Where is the recipe with the carrots and potatoes, instead of the cashews?
Shane Martin
BOOM!
https://shaneandsimple.com/vegan-cheese-sauce/
Jetta
I have used while beans instead of nuts to bring down the fat,
Jetta
I meant to say “White beans, like Great northern beans, to replace nuts, to bring down the fat in the dish, what do you thing Shane, do you think this would work in this recipes,
sue tt.
soooooooo good! added fire roasted tomatoes and peas – put in the smoker for a couple of hours – the crowds went wild!
Melanie
Crazy good!! Brand new to WFPB. Didn’t even know what nutritional yeast was! Live in rural area with limited access to recipe ingredients, so enjoying “simple” dishes. Nothing simple about this recipe’s taste. Fab!
Shane Martin
Melaine, that is so great! And, welcome. Thank you for your comments, rating, and reaching out. Pumped to have you on this plant-journey! Blessings.
Dan Eberhardt
This is hands down, and I’ve tried them All. Yep, I’ve Tried it! Yep, I’ve tried that one too. The one with Oat’s, I’ve tried it. I also get it’s a fat-free version and it was great for what it was, but this truly is, the best hands down Creamy Sauce and Noodle Recipe I have EVERY Tasted! THANK YOU! I don’t call it Cheese because Cheese Grosses me out. Who needs that garbage when you have such Delicious Creaminess in this recipe! So I have been pent up at home like the rest of the world due to COVID-19 and I made this, I didn’t have Tumeric so I used Cumin which I love anyway and it turned out amazing. Today, As we speak I’m making it again this time with Tumeric since I was able to have some delivered. This time and last time I used Oat Milk which is what I use and keep on hand! My hats off to you! I’ve always been a fan, but now you have one for LIFE! Thank you and keep up the excellent work. I hope this finds you and your family safe and well. Take Good Care! Dan
Shane Martin
Wow! Thank you so much, Dan!
Christina Root
Shane do you think this would freeze well?
Lisa
OMG this is just so delicious – and cheesy!! Divine!!!
Shane Martin
Thank you, Lisa! So glad you liked it:)
Blessings,
shane
Traci
I’ve been trying to get back on track after the holidays, but many of the recipes I have been making from another popular plant-based website have been bland or less than appetizing. I was getting discouraged, and then I found your website. The vegan mac and cheese is the first recipe I have tried and OMG!! This was exactly what I needed to get excited again about vegan eating. My husband and son even loved it and they have been a hard sell on plant-based eating. I have a full week of your recipes planned and I can’t wait to try them. Thank you for this great website and all the wonderful recipes. I enjoyed reading about your journey to plant-based eating. I’m feeling energized and confident again that I will be back on track in no time!
Shane Martin
Traci, that’s so encouraging and I’m so happy to hear this. Good luck on your journey and please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or comments. This is exactly why I do what I do…for testimonials just like this. Keep your head up…you got this. Blessings and Happy New Year!
Colleen
I’ve tried four different vegan mac and cheese recipes – this is the only one I will be making again! I made a few substitutions (raw sunflower seeds in place of cashews, rice milk instead of almond milk). I also used 1 cup of nutritional yeast (and added a little bit more water and rice milk to match). I love that cheesy flavor! Was it like a dairy-filled version of mac and cheese? Of course not. But it was delicious, and truly easy. I’ve made so many recipes that claim to be easy, but are far from it. This one really was easy! And also a wonderful version of comfort food.
Shane Martin
Colleen, thank you so much and I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I really appreciate you reaching out and the kind words. Also, way to make it your own and make it work for you. LOVE seeing that. Have a great New Year!
Colleen
Hi Shane – Would rice milk work in place of almond milk?
Thanks!
Shane Martin
Yes, you should not have any issues.
Deron
We made this as one of our sides for Thanksgiving and LOVED it! Admittedly, the amount of sauce made from the recipe was more than we needed, but the taste was so delicious! Definitely a new staple in our Thanksgiving line-up!
Shane Martin
Thank you, Deron! Is there such a thing as too much sauce? I think not. LOL! Happy Holidays!
Effie
How long will it keep in the refrigerator? Can you freeze unused portions?
Shane Martin
I wouldn’t freeze it. But, it will keep up to a week in a covered container. Blessings.
Trish
I’ve made many different vegan Mac and cheese recipes before. Some have been nice while others just ok. When I received yours via email I scanned the ingredients and thought it wasn’t too much different than some others I’d made. I decided to make this tonight and I’m so thrilled I did!! This was excellent!! I must say I do believe this is the best vegan Mac and Cheese! Thanks for a keeper. So easy to bring together too.
Shane Martin
Wow, thank you so much, Trish! I’m so glad you liked it and honored you tried it. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with comments or questions. I really appreciate it. Blessings.
Marsha Mc
Delicous
Shane Martin
Thank you!!!
Marsha Mc
Holy deliciousness, Batman!! This is awesome. Next time I’m going to try half regular and half dijon mustards, just to see how we like it. Have you tried this as a queso? I’m thinking that adding a can of green chiles or some rotel would be outstanding. Such a happy tummy right now….thanks for another winner, Shane!!
Shane Martin
Marsha, that is so great! I’m so glad your tummy is happy:) Funny enough, I do have a cashew queso recipe on the blog. LOL!!! Just type “queso” in the search bar. Also, if you wouldn’t mind “rating” this recipe, I’d be eternally grateful. It helps me out with Google. 🙂 Blessings.
Eliz
Would soy milk affect the taste?
Shane Martin
No, unsweetened soy milk would work just fine.