Vegan Mac and Cheese Recipe
This healthy vegan mac and cheese recipe is incredibly flavorful! It's made with a luscious, creamy tofu sauce, without cashews. It's fast and easy, high in protein and gluten-free adaptable!
How to Make the Best Vegan Mac and Cheese
Craving comfort food but want to keep it plant-based? This vegan mac and cheese delivers all the creamy, cheesy goodness you love without any dairy. The secret is a luscious sauce made from silken tofu and nutritional yeast, creating a protein-packed meal that’s just as satisfying as the traditional version.
What makes this recipe special is its versatility. You can easily adapt it to be gluten-free by swapping in your favorite gluten-free pasta and panko. The tofu-based sauce comes together in minutes in a blender, and the nutritional yeast provides that unmistakable cheesy, slightly nutty flavor that makes mac and cheese so irresistible.
Finished with a crispy, golden panko topping from a quick trip under the broiler, this dish has the perfect contrast of textures. It’s ready in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for a weeknight dinner or whenever those comfort food cravings hit.
Vegan Mac and Cheese
This healthy vegan mac and cheese recipe is incredibly flavorful! It's made with a luscious, creamy tofu sauce, without cashews. It's fast and easy, high in protein and gluten-free adaptable!
Ingredients
Pasta
Cheese Sauce
Topping
Instructions
Prepare the Pasta
- Bring salted pasta water to a boil. Cook pasta according to directions, drain cooked pasta without rinsing.
Make the Cheese Sauce
- In a food processor or blender, add silken tofu, milk (or pasta water), yeast flakes, salt, pepper, olive oil, onion powder, dijon mustard, turmeric, vinegar, and cayenne. Blend until silky smooth.
- Place noodles back in the same pot they boiled in and pour in the cheese sauce, gently warming over low heat just until heated through.
- Toss and taste, adjusting with salt or a splash of vinegar. Place in an oiled 9 x 13 baking pan.
Add Topping and Broil
- Stir together panko and olive oil with a fork. Spread breadcrumbs evenly over the mac and cheese.
- Place in the oven under the broiler for 3-5 minutes until golden brown, turning the pan as needed. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and gluten-free panko.
- Chickpea or lentil pasta works great for a high-protein alternative.
- For less heat, substitute 1/4 teaspoon paprika for the cayenne pepper.
- Feel free to top with vegan cheesy sprinkle and minced parsley for extra flavor.
