Vegan Baked Mac and Cheese

this is the best Vegan Baked Mac and Cheese! deliciously rich and cheesy, this plant based baked pasta dish is like Mom used to make! vegan and gluten free

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. 1. How is Vegan Mac and Cheese made?
   2. How do you make a Roux?
   3. Gluten Free Mac and Cheese
   4. Flavor Hacks - What Can I Add to Mac and Cheese?
   5. Tips for a flavorful sauce
   6. Best Pasta for Mac and Cheese
   7. What should I serve with Mac and Cheese?
   8. How Long Does Vegan Mac and Cheese Last?
   9. How do you reheat Mac and Cheese?
   10. Vegan Cheese Recipes
   11. Ultimate Comfort Food Book
   12. Vegan Mac and Cheese Variations
   13. Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

 

Vegan Baked Mac and Cheese

Just like mom used to make! 

When I make vegan mac and cheese, it is rarely baked. There is often nothing better than a big creamy bowl of mac and cheese straight out of the pot on the stove, no matter what flavor it is. The craving is strong - we have been enjoying this baked mac and cheese, complete with buttery cracker topping and all. 

I am sharing this easy and super flavorful vegan and gluten free mac and cheese with you today, and I hope you enjoy it as much as we do! 

How do you make Vegan Mac and Cheese?

There are SO MANY methods for making mac and cheese. When I was first cooking vegan, I used the classic culinary school technique I had learned - start with a roux.

This Vegan Baked Mac and Cheese recipe has the same approach, and adding the vegan cheese is optional! There are plenty of ingredients that bring flavor and a cheesy bite to this baked pasta. If you want to add vegan cheese, that just amps it up even more. (We have made this recipe twice - once without adding additional vegan cheese, and once with. Both are excellent, and I can tell you the cheese is not necessary for great flavor.)

You can make a whole foods version of mac and cheese that doesn't include the cheese at all! My favorite cheese sauces that don't begin with a roux are the cauliflower and nut based sauces. I don't even use nutritional yeast in some of them, opting for sauerkraut to bring that funky flavor.

My current go to cheese sauces:

• Melty Pizza Cheese Dip - admittedly, this ingredient list includes a couple things you probably don't have in your kitchen. tapioca starch brings the stretch, and you can make this without it, and the lactic acid gives an amazing cheese flavor. it IS vegan. you can also omit this, although if you feel like you'd be making cheeses often, it is worth having around. (sub some sauerkraut brine in its place.)
• Vegan Queso: the one with the cauliflower. this whole foods recipe can be adjusted for little to no spice, and the chorizo can be left out as well... the rest is a classic cheese sauce that IS very impressive. so incredibly flavorful, and makes a great party dip for any occasion.

Other whole food cheese sauces use carrot and potato as the "creamy" base. A quick internet search will yield many results.

 

How do you make a Roux?

What is a roux? It is not the finished sauce.

A roux is melted butter mixed with flour and cooked until the flour is no longer raw. This is used as a base for many sauces because it acts as a thickener.

I was taught that a roux is equal parts butter and flour. You melt the butter over medium heat, then whisk in the flour. Continue to whisk consistently as this mixture turns to a paste consistency. A light roux is cooked, whisking consistently, for about 3 minutes. For a stronger, nuttier flavor, cook the roux a few minutes longer, watching carefully as it turns golden brown. 

• How do you make a vegan roux? Making a vegan roux is as easy as regular roux - use a dairy free butter in place of regular butter.
• Can you make a gluten free roux? Absolutely, I make gluten free roux 100% of the time. A gluten free all purpose flour works exactly the same for a sauce base like this. 

 

Gluten Free Vegan Mac and Cheese

Speaking of gluten free, this entire recipe is easily made gluten free. You now know how to make a gluten free roux, and several shapes of gluten free pasta noodles available. They are not bad, either. Just like commercial vegan cheese offerings, the gluten free pastas are getting better and better. I used a gluten free elbow macaroni when making this recipe. 

For the topping, I used gluten free crackers! There is a deliciously buttery gluten free cracker that is just like a Ritz! I originally discovered this brand in a local grocery, but it is not consistently available.

Ordering these crackers online is fine if you are using them as crumbs, because they will likely arrive that way. There were very few whole crackers in the box that arrived on my doorstep, but I just looked at it as my work was half done.

Mac and Cheese Add Ins

While this Vegan Mac and Cheese is great as is, we have a bunch of ideas for a flavor upgrade. Whether you dress up the sauce or mix in additional ingredients to the baked pasta, these flavor hacks will take a basic mac recipe up a notch:

• Hatch Green Chile - fire roast and blend into the sauce, or add fire roasted slices into the finished mac. that tangy spice is mild enough for most, and adds great flavor.
• Lemon Poblano - much like the Hatch green chile, poblanos bring more flavor than heat.
• Spicy Jalapeño - if you DO want a bit of heat with your cheesy mac, reach for the jalapeño or even chipotles (which are basically dried and smoked red jalapeños...)
• Vegan Sausage - there are so many tasty vegan options for brats and sausages in stores now! there are even gluten free versions. stirring sliced sausage into the mac before baking is *chefs kiss*
• Spicy Chorizo - another idea for the fans of spicy heat. spicy vegan chorizo is one of our favorite meal prep recipes to have on hand, making this an easy healthy addition. (our Spicy Vegan Chorizo Queso makes a great base for mac and cheese!)
• Garlic and Mushroom - these ingredients will elevate flavors and add to the comfort food vibe of a baked vegan mac and cheese, or any mac and cheese.
• Vegan Ground Beef Crumbles - like the idea of chorizo, but want a less spicy mac? add a savory vegan beef instead. Add taco seasoning as another extra.
• Tomatoes or tomato sauce - if you are thinking of the taco beef, adding fresh tomato slices after baking, or pop some cherry tomatoes in before baking. Mmm, bursting tomatoes are the best.
• Broccoli or veggies - pump up the healthy even more! add some green in the form of broccoli or peas - the classic mac and cheese add ins.
• Sriracha, BBQ sauce, Crystal sauce, Cool Ranch - those last minute toppers once you're sitting at the table. I have added every one of these sauces to cheesy mac, and I regret nothing.

Tip for a flavorful sauce

if I am taste testing any sort of sauce and it is... just not quite there? I will stir in a half teaspoon of the vegan Better than Boullion. A little bit of this will often bring that layers of flavor kinda thing to a sauce, super easy.

 

Best Pasta for Mac and Cheese

The classic noodle for mac and cheese is the elbow macaroni. 

The traditional elbow mac is what I used when making this recipe. I love to veer from tradition, though - there are so many great pasta shapes that work well with sauce. And so many shapes that are just fun.

• Ditalini - I love this tiny tube of a noodle - it is my go to pasta in my Hawaiian Mac Salad recipe. the springy chew of this noodle is perfect for cold pasta, and I have used it for mac and cheese!
• Shells - this one is as obvious as the elbow, right? Shells and Cheese is as classic as apple pie. Hmm, those two flavors just might go well together...
• Spiral - another good noodle for capturing the cheesy sauce! this is also my favorite pasta noodle to stir into vegetable soups...
• Penne - I LOVE penne for mac and cheese! a large noodle that is a perfect vehicle for cheese sauce, and sauces of all kinds. 
• Farfalle - this is more for fun than function, although the bow tie shape does have a large surface area for cheesy sauce to cling to. more difficult to find gluten free, but not impossible.
• Cavatappi - any noodle with ridges is a noodle that will hold sauce! the original corkscrew pasta, a cavatappi noodle is also one of the more fun shapes that is not as easily gluten free...

 

Best Sides To Serve with Mac and Cheese

Broccoli. 

One of my favorite veggies that I eat several times a week is also my favorite side to serve with (or in!) our vegan mac and cheese. Some other choices that go well with Mac and Cheese:

• Crisp cool salad greens
• Tangy Cornichon Slaw
• Roasted veggies
• Buffalo Cauliflower
• Sautéed mushrooms
• Build Your Own Salad Bar
• Tomato Soup
• Pepperoni Chili

How long does Vegan Mac and Cheese last?

This is a great meal prep recipe! Make a double batch on your weekend meal prep day so you can enjoy a warm weekend dinner and also have lunches ready all week long! 

Once the dish is cooled, make individual portions and pack them up in your favorite containers with sealing lids. This mac and cheese recipe is freshest if enjoyed within 3 days - store covered and refrigerated. 

 

Reheating Mac and Cheese

I pack individual leftover servings in these great glass meal prep containers. I remove the container from the fridge and then I set the oven to reheat. This allows the glass container to warm up a bit, so cold glass doesn't go straight into the hot oven.

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Remove the lid of the glass container, and cover with foil. Bake the pasta at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes, or until warmed through.

Alternatively, mac and cheese can be reheated on the stove. I prefer this method if I am hungry, or if the pasta needs a bit of moisture added.

Transfer leftover mac and cheese to a saucepan. Stir in a couple tablespoons dairy free milk, and cook over medium heat until warmed through, generally 5 minutes or less.

Vegan Cheese Recipes

Mac and cheese, cheesy burritos, recipes for queso and for cheese itself, there are more vegan cheese options every day and I am here for all of it!

• Cheesy Quesarito : the other drive thru favorite! rolling up this burrito in a cheesy hug is easier than we all think, and so worth making it!
• Vegan Goat Cheese : the method for this tangy cheese is involved but easy, making it one of our most popular and most made recipes! 
• Vegan Boursin : another classic flavor from my childhood that I recreated early on. I revisit this one often, especially at the holidays - a perfect party spreadable!
• Vegan Cheese Crackers : another super popular recipe because - cheese crackers! these are crispy and tasty and reminiscent of the childhood fave.
• Melty Pizza Cheese Dip : I have wowed and wooed many an omnivore with this very dish! so cheesy good, the flavors are unreal. everyone asks for this recipe.
• Spiced Pumpkin Basil Cheeseball : a holiday favorite for sure, but I have been known to make this for birthdays and game days all year long.
• Vegan Cream Cheese : this recipe is a great basic template to make, then go forth with all sorts of flavor options you can think of! tasty, easy and foolproof recipe.
• Brownie Bottom Cheesecake : this is an oldie but a goodie - I had to include my favorite recipe and one so many others have made and love! pure bliss in dessert form!

 

Vegan Mac and Cheese

This Baked Mac and Cheese recipe comes from our favorite new cookbook! Best selling author Robin Robertson is back with a super fun edition that is all Vegan Mac and Cheese!

This super fun and beautifully photographed book has more than 50 delicious plant based recipes. The recipes include flavorful comfort food dishes that span all ideas from basic to unique:

Vegan Mac and Cheese Variations

In addition to this Baked Mac and Cheese, I have been deliriously happy to try several other recipes from the book. Tempting variations everyone will love:

• Mac Uncheese Quesadillas - I share this recipe first because it is a tasty way to enjoy the Baked Mac and Cheese leftovers! add some veggies and salsa and... Mmm.
• Chili Mac - because I am married to a guy from the midwest, I had to try this recipe - it warmed us up on an unseasonably cold Sunday recently, and we will make it again!
• Cheesy Primavera Mac - probably one of my favorites for the comfort food plus fresh flavorful veggies thing... this gives us springtime, anytime!
• Spinach Artichoke Mac and Cheese - full disclosure, I have not made this one yet at the time of this writing, but I imagine the combination of fresh and tasty, like my favorite dip.
• Mac and Thai - taking the classic dish and going global with the flavors! this cashew - red curry - coconut fusion is intriguing to me, and I cannot wait to try it!
• Sweet Noodle Kugel - this is another I am very interested in. a dairy free kugel with pineapple, dried cranberries and pecans, with fettuccine noodles in place of egg noodles.

 

 

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Yield: 6 servings

Vegan Baked Mac and Cheese

Print

a delicious comfort food recipe just like mom used to make! the classic baked mac and cheese recipe made vegan and gluten free!

Prep Time 18 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 38 minutes

Ingredients

Pasta

• 16 ounces (454 g) (gluten free) elbow macaroni
• olive oil or vegan butter, for preparing the baking dish

Sauce

• 4 tablespoons (56 g) vegan butter
• ¼ cup (31 g) (gluten free) all-purpose flour
• 5 cups (1.2 L) plain unsweetened dairy free milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ⅓ cup (20 g) nutritional yeast, plus more as needed
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 cup (112 g) shredded vegan cheese (optional)

Topping

• 1 cup (72 g) finely crushed Ritz style crackers
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) melted vegan butter

Instructions

1. To make the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup (240 ml) of pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and set aside.

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Lightly grease a 9 × 13-inch (23 × 33 cm) baking dish with olive oil or vegan butter. Set aside.
2. To make the sauce: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
3. Whisk in the flour and cook, whisking, for 2 minutes. Whisk in the milk. Add the salt. Simmer, whisking occasionally, until thick, about 5 minutes.
4. Add the nutritional yeast, mustard, onion powder, and pepper and whisk until smooth. Cook for 5 minutes until thick. Reduce the heat to low. Taste and adjust the seasoning, as needed. If the sauce is too thick, add as much of the 1 cup (240 ml) of reserved cooking water, as desired.
5. Add the cooked macaroni to the sauce and stir to combine.
6. In a small bowl, stir together the cracker crumbs, paprika, and melted butter to combine.
7. To finish: Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish, top with the cracker crumb mixture, and bake for 20 minutes, or until bubbly and golden on top.

Notes

dairy, egg, and gluten free, vegan

the original recipe is not gluten free, so feel free to use regular pasta and regular all purpose flour if you are not needing this to be gluten free. this recipe turns out wonderfully with gluten free noodles and flour.

Reheating Mac and Cheese

I pack individual leftover servings in glass meal prep containers. I remove the container from the fridge and then I set the oven to reheat. This allows the glass container to warm up a bit, so cold glass doesn't go straight into the hot oven.

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Remove the lid of the glass container, and cover with foil. Bake the pasta at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes, or until warmed through.

Alternatively, mac and cheese can be reheated on the stove. I prefer this method if I am hungry, or if the pasta needs a bit of moisture added.

Transfer leftover mac and cheese to a saucepan. Stir in a couple tablespoons dairy free milk, and cook over medium heat until warmed through, generally 5 minutes or less.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Glass Meal Prep with Lids
• 
  Le Creuset 12-by-9-Inch Covered Rectangular Dish
• 
  Dutch Oven 5.5 quart
• 
  McCormick Onion Powder, 2.62 oz
• 
  Smoked Paprika
• 
  Nutritional Yeast
• 
  Cashew Milk
• 
  Gluten Free All Purpose Flour
• 
  Better than Bouillon

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 606Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 406mgCarbohydrates: 44gNet Carbohydrates: 35gFiber: 9gSugar: 1gProtein: 21g

nutrition calculations results vary by calculator, are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to replace medical advice or treatment.

Baked Mac and Cheese recipe shared with permissions from Vegan Mac and Cheese by Robin Robertson © 2019 Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.

about Kristina:

Kristina is spabettie! She found cooking at an early age, and created spabettie in 2010 to share vegan recipes. Kristina turned her culinary training into sharing vibrant vegan food!  Read more...

 

 

 

 

 

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