Vegan Classic Baked Mac and Cheese

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Vegan Classic Baked Mac and Cheese, a dairy-free twist on a timeless favorite! Featuring a velvety, cashew-based cheese sauce infused with nutritional yeast, turmeric, and a medley of spices, this recipe delivers all the creamy, savory goodness you crave—without a drop of dairy. Topped with golden, crunchy panko breadcrumbs and baked to perfection, this dish is as satisfying as it is wholesome. Perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or special occasions, it’s quick to prepare and can easily be made gluten-free for all dietary needs. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and extra flair, and serve up a plant-based crowd-pleaser that will have everyone coming back for seconds!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 16 oz Elbow macaroni (gluten-free if needed)
• 1 cup Raw cashews, soaked
• 1.5 cups Nutritional yeast
• 2.5 cups Unsweetened almond milk
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons Garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons Onion powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Turmeric
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 1.5 teaspoons Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs (gluten-free if needed)
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2

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

Step 3

In a high-speed blender, combine the soaked cashews, nutritional yeast, almond milk, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, turmeric, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy.

Step 4

Pour the creamy sauce from the blender into a large pot over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the sauce is warmed through.

Step 5

Add the cooked macaroni to the pot with the warm sauce and mix well to coat all the pasta evenly.

Step 6

Transfer the mac and cheese mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish, smoothing it out evenly.

Step 7

In a small bowl, mix the olive oil and panko breadcrumbs until the breadcrumbs are evenly coated.

Step 8

Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the mac and cheese in the baking dish.

Step 9

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the top is golden and crispy.

Step 10

Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Step 11

Serve warm and enjoy your vegan classic baked mac and cheese!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1444.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3539.2

Total Fat 123.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 19.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4783.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 513.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 31.5g	0%
Total Sugars 25.1g
Protein 111.3g	0%

Vitamin D 219.6IU	0%
Calcium 1296.9mg	0%
Iron 23.7mg	0%
Potassium 2692.2mg	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: 30.7%

Protein: 12.3%

Carbs: 56.9%