Vegan Classic Creamy Mac & Cheese

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Vegan Classic Creamy Mac & Cheese, a luscious plant-based twist on a timeless favorite. Made with gluten-free elbow macaroni and a velvety cashew-based cheese sauce, this recipe is rich, satisfying, and completely dairy-free. Key ingredients like nutritional yeast, smoked paprika, and turmeric add irresistible flavor and a golden hue, while almond milk and a splash of lemon juice create a perfectly creamy texture. Ready in just 35 minutes, this dish is perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy gatherings. Garnish with a sprinkle of smoked paprika or fresh parsley, and you’ve got a crowd-pleasing vegan mac & cheese that’s hearty, healthy, and irresistibly creamy!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 8 ounces Elbow macaroni, gluten-free
• 1 cup Raw cashews
• 1 quarter cup Nutritional yeast
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 0.25 teaspoon Turmeric powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1.5 cups Unsweetened almond milk
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 0.5 teaspoon Hot sauce (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Start by placing the raw cashews in a bowl and covering them with boiling water. Let them soak for about 15 minutes to soften, then drain and rinse them thoroughly.

Step 2

Cook the gluten-free elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a blender, combine the soaked and drained cashews, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon juice, turmeric powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Step 4

Add the unsweetened almond milk, olive oil, Dijon mustard, and optional hot sauce to the blender.

Step 5

Blend the mixture until it becomes completely smooth and creamy. This may take about 2-3 minutes, depending on the power of your blender.

Step 6

Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt or lemon juice if desired.

Step 7

Transfer the cooked pasta back into the pot over low heat and pour in the creamy cashew cheese sauce. Stir well to ensure that all the pasta is coated with the sauce.

Step 8

Heat the mac & cheese gently on low for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and everything is heated through.

Step 9

Serve hot, optionally garnished with a sprinkle of smoked paprika or fresh chopped parsley for added flavor and color.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(788.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1806.2

Total Fat 86.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 14.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2787.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 224.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.7g	0%
Total Sugars 10.0g
Protein 42.5g	0%

Vitamin D 131.8IU	0%
Calcium 718.5mg	0%
Iron 12.9mg	0%
Potassium 1203.8mg	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: 42.1%

Protein: 9.2%

Carbs: 48.7%