Vegan Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this creamy and flavorful Vegan Baked Macaroni and Cheese! This plant-based twist on the classic dish boasts a luscious, dairy-free cheese sauce made from blended cashews, almond milk, and nutritional yeast, elevated with a touch of lemon juice and warming spices like garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Perfectly al dente elbow macaroni is tossed in this velvety sauce, then baked to perfection under a golden, crunchy breadcrumb topping infused with olive oil. Quick to prepare and oven-ready in just 20 minutes, this recipe is a family-friendly favorite that’s perfect for weeknight dinners, cozy gatherings, or holiday sides. Garnished with fresh parsley for a pop of color and flavor, this vegan mac and cheese is a satisfying, crowd-pleasing dish that doesn’t skimp on indulgence or nutrition.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 ounces Elbow macaroni
• 1 cup Cashews
• 2 cups Unsweetened almond milk
• 0.5 cup Nutritional yeast
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 cup Bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2

Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a small bowl, cover the cashews with boiling water and let them soak for at least 10 minutes.

Step 4

Drain the soaked cashews and add them to a blender along with almond milk, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Step 5

Blend on high until you achieve a smooth and creamy consistency.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni with the cashew cheese sauce, ensuring the pasta is fully coated.

Step 7

Grease a baking dish with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture into the dish, spreading it evenly.

Step 8

In a small bowl, mix the bread crumbs with the remaining olive oil and sprinkle this mixture evenly over the macaroni.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the top is golden and crispy.

Step 10

Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1168.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3034.3

Total Fat 120.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 20.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 15.5g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3487.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 395.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 25.1g	0%
Total Sugars 28.3g
Protein 92.2g	0%

Vitamin D 175.7IU	0%
Calcium 1150.9mg	0%
Iron 29.6mg	0%
Potassium 1499.3mg	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: 35.8%

Protein: 12.1%

Carbs: 52.1%