Vegan White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food makeover with this creamy and decadent Vegan White Cheddar Mac and Cheese! This plant-based twist on a classic favorite features a velvety, "cheddar-like" sauce made from blended cashews, nutritional yeast, and a touch of white miso paste for that undeniable umami flavor. Paired with gluten-free or regular vegan-friendly macaroni, this dish is a beacon of dairy-free, gluten-free comfort. The secret to its rich, cheesy texture lies in tapioca starch, which gives the sauce its luscious stretchiness, while optional turmeric adds a hint of golden glow. Ready in just 30 minutes, this quick and easy recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests with a guilt-free indulgence. Serve it up as a main dish or a hearty side—either way, this Vegan White Cheddar Mac and Cheese is bound to be a family favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 ounces Gluten-free elbow macaroni or regular vegan-friendly macaroni
• 1 cup Cashews (raw, unsalted, soaked in hot water for 30 minutes and drained)
• 1 cup Nutritional yeast
• 2 cups Unsweetened almond milk (or other plant-based milk)
• 2 tablespoons Tapioca starch (or cornstarch)
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon White miso paste
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon Mustard powder
• 0.25 teaspoon Ground turmeric (optional, for color)
• 2 tablespoons Vegan butter

Directions

Step 1

Cook the macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.

Step 2

While the macaroni cooks, combine the soaked and drained cashews, nutritional yeast, almond milk, tapioca starch, lemon juice, white miso paste, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, mustard powder, and turmeric (if using) in a high-speed blender.

Step 3

Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. This will be your cheese sauce base.

Step 4

In a large saucepan, melt the vegan butter over medium heat. Once melted, pour in the cheese sauce mixture from the blender.

Step 5

Cook the sauce over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and takes on a melty, stretchy consistency. This should take about 5-7 minutes.

Step 6

If the sauce becomes too thick, stir in the reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached.

Step 7

Add the cooked macaroni to the saucepan with the cheese sauce and stir until the pasta is evenly coated.

Step 8

Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary (you can add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to taste).

Step 9

Serve immediately and enjoy your creamy Vegan White Cheddar Mac and Cheese!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1088.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2500.3

Total Fat 103.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 26.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3445.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 346.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.4g	0%
Total Sugars 17.5g
Protein 66.9g	0%

Vitamin D 200.0IU	0%
Calcium 1050.3mg	0%
Iron 20.4mg	0%
Potassium 2107.2mg	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: 36.1%

Protein: 10.3%

Carbs: 53.6%