The Best Vegan Mac and Cheese

Nothing beats a warm, comforting bowl of mac and cheese, especially when it’s dairy-free and quick to make! This 10 Minute Creamy Dairy Free Mac and Cheese is a game-changer for anyone seeking a delicious vegan alternative that’s both gluten free and dairy free. Perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy weekend meal, this dish comes together in a flash without the hassle of soaking cashews overnight. Using Artisana Organics Raw Cashew Butter, this recipe transforms a few simple ingredients into a creamy, rich, and incredibly satisfying sauce that will surprise everyone that it’s dairy free!

This dairy-free mac and cheese is not only easy to prepare but also packed with nutritional benefits thanks to the Artisana Organics raw cashew butter. It is free from additives and minimally processed and maintains all the essential vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats found in cashews. Combined with a blend of savory spices, and tossed with tender gluten free pasta, this dish promises to be a crowd-pleaser. Get ready to whip up a bowl of comfort that will bring smiles and warm bellies to any table or gathering!

Ingredients to Make Dairy-Free Mac and Cheese

Gluten Free Elbow Noodles: This gluten free pasta is the perfect match for the creamy vegan cheese sauce. Gluten free pasta ensures the dish is suitable for anyone; however if that is not a necessity at your dinner table, feel free to use whatever pasta you have on hand.
Artisana Organics Raw Cashew Butter: This cashew butter eliminates the need for soaking cashews! It offers a rich, creamy base for the cheese sauce and is pure without additives, preserving all the nutritional benefits of raw cashews.
Garlic Powder: Adds a savory depth to the sauce, enhancing the overall cheese flavor of the sauce.
Reserved Pasta Water: Used to thin the sauce, saving some of your pasta water reduces waste and enhances the consistency by adding a bit of starchiness that helps the sauce adhere to the pasta.
Nutritional Yeast: Provides a cheesy flavor and is packed with B-vitamins, making it a vital component of vegan cheese sauces.
Arrowroot Powder (Optional): Helps to thicken the sauce and add a stretchy, cheesy texture, though it can be omitted if preferred.
Miso Paste: Adds umami and a slightly tangy flavor, enhancing the cheese-like quality of the sauce.
Onion Powder: Complements the garlic powder, adding another layer of flavor.
Sea Salt: Enhances all the flavors, making the dish more savory.
Turmeric: Adds a beautiful golden color, mimicking traditional cheddar cheese.

How Do You Make Mac and Cheese Creamy Without Dairy?

Making mac and cheese creamy without dairy is easier than you think, especially with the right ingredients. The combination of raw cashew butter and nutritional yeast creates a smooth and luscious vegan cheese sauce that is healthier and likely more delicious than any traditional dairy version! Nutritional yeast is a key ingredient for this recipe as it brings the essential cheesy flavor. This ingredient is not only packed with b vitamins but also lends a savory, slightly nutty taste that mimics the umami notes found in cheese.

To take this dairy free cheese party to a whole other level I decided to include miso paste as it perfectly adds a deep, salty, and umami flavor. Garlic powder and onion powder enhance the sauce by adding familiar notes and aroma. If you’ve never tried making a dairy free sauce, let this one be the first because it will honestly blow your mind! You will have this recipe on repeat. Additionally, the recipe includes a pinch of turmeric, which really helps to mimic the color of a regular mac and cheese.

No Soaking Cashew Mac and Cheese!

One of the biggest advantages of this recipe is that it eliminates the need to soak cashews overnight! I don’t know about you but sometimes the desire for mac and cheese just springs upon me and I don’t typically have cashew nuts just soaking overnight for the off chance I want to make a creamy sauce. By using Artisana Organics Raw Cashew Butter, you get all the creamy goodness of cashews and the ability to make your favorite dish on a whim. This shortcut means you can enjoy delicious dairy-free mac and cheese even on the busiest of days and honestly only in ten minutes.

How to Make this Dairy Free Mac and Cheese

Begin by bringing a medium saucepan of generously salted water to a boil. Cook the gluten-free pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and set it aside, making sure to reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water for the cheese sauce.

Create your cheese sauce by adding the Artisana Organics Raw Cashew Butter, garlic powder, nutritional yeast, arrowroot powder, miso paste, onion powder, sea salt, and a pinch of turmeric into a blender. Blend these ingredients until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Return the cooked pasta to the saucepan over low heat and pour the creamy sauce over the noodles. Stir in the reserved pasta water, little by little, until you get the consistency you want. Allow the sauce to heat through, ensuring it’s evenly distributed and clings nicely to the pasta.

Once the sauce is heated and the pasta is well-coated, your dairy-free mac and cheese is ready to eat! This meal is best enjoyed immediately; however, leftovers are amazing and you can easily reheat this dish by adding the pasta and a splash of dairy free milk over medium heat for a few minutes.

Why You’ll Love This Vegan Mac and Cheese

There are countless reasons to love this vegan mac and cheese. It’s fast and easy, taking just 10 minutes to prepare from start to finish. It’s also incredibly creamy and flavorful, making it a satisfying comfort food. The fact that this recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free makes it perfect to serve to anyone! Skip the processed mac and cheese from the stores and make this version tonight! It’s filled with pantry items and takes little to no time!

Tips for the Best Vegan Mac and Cheese

Cook Pasta According to Package Instructions: This ensures the pasta is al dente and holds up well in the sauce.
Reserve Pasta Water: Don’t forget to save some pasta water before draining to adjust your pasta consistency.
Blend Sauce Ingredients Thoroughly: Make sure to blend the sauce until it’s completely smooth for the best texture.
Serve Immediately: Vegan cheese sauces can thicken as they cool, so it’s best to serve the mac and cheese right away for the creamiest result.

If you like this recipe make sure you rate it and leave a comment down below! Check out these other quick and easy meal options:

Vegan Alfredo

Roasted Pepper Pasta

Sun Dried Tomato Pasta

Jackie Akerberg

Author of the Clean Vegan Cookbook, Food Blogger and Recipe Developer from Des Moines, Iowa.

Jackfruitful Kitchen has proudly been featured in Forks Over Knives, Vegan Bowls, Vegan Food and Living, and DSM Magazine.

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Jackie Akerberg

10 Minute Dairy-Free Mac & Cheese

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Get ready to make the tastiest and easiest vegan mac and cheese! Made with raw cashew butter from Artisana Organics, this recipe skips the typical cashew soaking process. This 10 Minute Dairy Free Mac and Cheese is ready in the same amount of time it takes you to boil your noodles!

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 8

Servings: 6

Course: Main Course

Equipment

stove, blender

Ingredients

12 oz gluten free elbow noodles, shells, or macaroni shape of choice
½ cup Artisana Organics Raw Cashew Butter
1 tsp garlic powder
½ cup reserved pasta water, plus more if needed to thin
⅓ cup nutritional yeast
1 tbsp arrowroot powder, tapioca flour, or cornstarch, optional - helps to thicken and add a stretchy texture
1 tsp miso paste
½ tsp onion powder
¾ tsp sea salt
⅛ tsp turmeric, for color

Method

Bring a medium saucepan of generously salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
While pasta is cooking, add the cashew butter, garlic powder, pasta water, nutritional yeast, arrowroot powder, miso paste, onion powder, sea salt, and turmeric to a blender and puree until smooth and creamy. Adjust thickness by adding a bit more water or milk to thin, if needed.
Return the cooked pasta to the saucepan over low heat and pour the sauce over the noodles, adding your desired amount and tossing to coat. Stir in a bit of reserved pasta water, little by little, stirring to achieve desired texture and let sauce heat through.

Notes

Purchase your Artisana Organics Raw Cashew Butter by clicking here

*Macros are provided as an estimate for convenience. Your final numbers will vary depending on ingredient brands, substitutions, and how you portion the recipe.

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