Dairy-Free White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

Indulge in the creamy decadence of this Dairy-Free White Cheddar Mac and Cheese, a plant-based twist on the comfort food classic that delivers bold flavor without the dairy. Featuring a velvety "cheddar" sauce made from soaked cashews, nutritional yeast, and a hint of tangy miso paste, this recipe offers a luscious and creamy texture while remaining entirely vegan and optionally gluten-free. The secret lies in the blend of wholesome ingredients like almond milk, lemon juice, and ground mustard powder, perfectly balanced to mimic the rich, tangy notes of traditional white cheddar. Ready in just 30 minutes, this quick and easy dish is perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests with a healthier comfort food option. Garnish with fresh chives for a pop of color and savor a generous helping of this guilt-free, dairy-free indulgence!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz Gluten-free elbow macaroni (optional if gluten isn't a concern)
• 1 cup Raw cashews (soaked for at least 4 hours or boiled for 10 minutes)
• 1.5 cups Unsweetened almond milk (or other dairy-free milk, no added flavors)
• 1 cup Nutritional yeast
• 2 tbsp Arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)
• 1.5 tbsp Lemon juice
• 1 tsp Apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Garlic powder
• 1 tsp Onion powder
• 2 tbsp Coconut oil
• 1 tbsp White miso paste
• 0.5 tsp Ground mustard powder
• 0.5 cup Water (for blending)
• 2 tbsp Chives (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

If you haven’t already soaked the cashews, boil them for 10 minutes in water to soften. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the gluten-free macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a high-speed blender, combine soaked cashews, almond milk, nutritional yeast, arrowroot powder, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, coconut oil, miso paste, ground mustard powder, and water. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. This is your dairy-free white 'cheddar' sauce.

Step 4

Pour the blended sauce into a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly as it thickens, which should take 3-5 minutes. Make sure there are no lumps, and reduce heat to low once thickened.

Step 5

Add the drained macaroni to the saucepan with the sauce. Stir well to ensure every piece of pasta is evenly coated.

Step 6

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed (e.g., more salt or a small splash of lemon juice for tanginess).

Step 7

Serve warm, garnished with freshly chopped chives if desired. Enjoy your dairy-free white cheddar mac and cheese!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1078.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2475.8

Total Fat 100.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 35.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3196.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 340.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.4g	0%
Total Sugars 13.5g
Protein 64.1g	0%

Vitamin D 150.0IU	0%
Calcium 793.5mg	0%
Iron 16.8mg	0%
Potassium 1806.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 35.7%

Protein: 10.2%

Carbs: 54.1%