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    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

    published: Nov 29, 2021 · by Kris · This post may contain affiliate links

    Dairy Free Mac and Cheese

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    dairy free mac and cheese in a pan
    dairy free mac and cheese in a pan
    dairy free mac and cheese in a pan
    dairy free mac and cheese in a pan

    This dairy-free mac and cheese is a family favorite. The creamy, cheesy classic with a buttery breadcrumb topping is vegan comfort food at its finest.

    Perfect for Sunday dinner or as a holiday side dish. Bring this to a barbecue or a potluck and get ready for the compliments.

    this Recipe

    While this recipe is great for holidays, it comes together easily and works well for weekend dinners as well. Serve alongside a vegan meatloaf, sloppy joes or barbecue tempeh. Or make it the main dish and pair with a green salad or steamed broccoli.

    Table of Contents
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Expert Tips
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Storing and Reheating
    • Related Recipes
    • Recipe

    Ingredients

    This is what you'll need to make vegan mac and cheese-

    dairy free mac and cheese ingredients

    Some notes about a few of the key ingredients -

    Macaroni: you can go classic with elbow macaroni or use our favorite Cavatappi

    Unsweetened plant milk: we like almond milk for a neutral flavor, but use your milk of choice as long as it's unsweetened.

    Shredded vegan cheese: we've gotten great results using Violife or Daiya, but any them should work

    Bread crumbs: we like to use panko for extra crispiness, but regular breadcrumbs will also work or can be omitted altogether

    Instructions

    TIP - For exact measurements and more detailed instructions, please make sure to read the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

    Cook pasta according to package directions, but reduce the cooking time by 1-2 minutes so that your pasta is al dente. Drain and then transfer to a 9x13 baking dish along with 1 Tbs of the vegan butter. Stir until butter is melted and the pasta is coated. This will prevent the pasta from sticking together. Set aside.

    Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

    dairy free mac and cheese sauce

    In a large pot, melt vegan butter and then whisk in the flour. Cook this butter/flour mixture for 1-2 minutes until it starts to darken and smell nutty.

    Stream in the plant milk and whisk until smooth. Stir in seasonings and nutritional yeast and cook over medium heat for 3 minutes stirring often to avoid scorching.

    dairy free mac and cheese in blue pot

    Stir in the shredded cheese until melted. Then add in the macaroni and mix until coated in cheese sauce.

    Pour macaroni and cheese mixture back into the baking dish.

    dairy free mac and cheese before baking

    Mix together the topping ingredients and sprinkle over the top of the macaroni.

    Bake for 30 minutes.

    Hint: For a little extra crunch, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end of the cooking time. Watch this closely so that it doesn't burn.

    Expert Tips

    Here are a few key things to keep in mind to make when making this dairy-free mac and cheese recipe.

    1. Make sure to undercook the macaroni so that it doesn't get mushy after baking
    2. The topping is optional. Skip it if you prefer a simple and minimal mac and cheese.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I use any plant milk in this recipe?

    Yes, they should all work. Just make sure to use unsweetened. However, some milks have a more neutral taste that shouldn't affect the flavor of the dish. Almond or soy milk shouldn't impart a strong flavor to the cheese sauce.

    Do I have to bake this in the oven?

    This dish works best when baked in the oven. If you'd prefer this to be a stovetop only recipe, cook the macaroni completely and serve after mixing the macaroni and cheese sauce. It will be extra saucy since some of it reduces and thickens during baking. Skip the topping.

    What is nutritional yeast?

    It's a deactivated yeast typically sold in flakes or powder form. It has a cheesy, nutty flavor and is great on popcorn, salads, kale chips, etc. Often referred to as 'nooch' it's usually fortified with vitamins and is used in many vegan recipes.

    dairy free mac and cheese in white pan

    Storing and Reheating

    This dairy free mac and cheese is super easy to store.

    To store - After it's cooled, transfer to an air-tight container and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    To freeze - This dish doesn't freeze well and is best make fresh. That being said, I have frozen it and it's not terrible, but I wouldn't serve it to company.

    To reheat - Can be warmed in the oven, the stove or the microwave.

    Related Recipes

    If you liked this recipe and want more hearty comfort food recipes, I've got you.

    • Beyond Meat Bolognese
    • Vegan Chicken and Dumplings
    • Vegan Stuffed Shells
    • Garbanzos Fritos
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    Recipe

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    dairy free mac and cheese feature

    Dairy-Free Mac and Cheese


    ★★★★★

    5 from 1 reviews

    • Author: Kris
    • Total Time: 50 minutes
    • Yield: 6 servings 1x
    • Diet: Vegan
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    This dairy-free mac and cheese is a family favorite. The creamy, cheesy classic with a buttery breadcrumb topping is vegan comfort food at its finest. 


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 16 oz macaroni, elbow or cavatapi
    • 6 Tbs vegan butter, divided
    • ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
    • 3 ½ cups unsweetened plant milk
    • ¾ tsp garlic powder
    • ¾ tsp onion powder
    • 1 tsp mustard powder
    • ½ tsp salt
    • 1 tsp paprika
    • ¼ tsp pepper
    • 3 Tbs nutritional yeast
    • 16 oz shredded vegan cheddar (about 4 cups)

    Topping (optional)

    • ¾ cup panko bread crumbs
    • 1 Tbs melted butter
    • 1 tsp dried parsley
    • ½ tsp paprika
    • ½ tsp garlic powder
    • ¼ tsp salt

    Instructions

    1. Cook pasta according to package directions, but reduce the cooking time by 1-2 minutes so that the pasta is al dente.  Drain and transfer to a 9x13 baking dish along with 1 Tablespoon of the butter.  Stir until the butter is melted and coating the pasta.  This step is important to both grease the pan and ensure the pasta doesn't stick as it cools.  Set aside.
    2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
    3. In a large pot set over medium heat melt the remaining 5 Tablespoons of butter and then whisk in the flour.  Continue to cook the flour mixture for 1-2 minutes stirring frequently until it starts to darken slightly and smell nutty.  Then stream in the plant milk as you whisk until it's smooth.  
    4. Whisk in the garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, salt, pepper, and nutrition yeast and continue cooking over medium heat for 3 minutes.  Stir often to avoid scorching.
    5. Add the shredded cheese to the pot and stir until it melts.  Then stir in the cooked macaroni and mix together until it's fully coated with the cheese sauce.
    6. Pour the entire mixture back into the prepared baking dish.
    7. Mix together all the topping ingredients in a small bowl and then sprinkle over the top of the macaroni in the pan.  Bake for 30 minutes.  If you'd like a bit of extra crunch on the topping broil for 2-3 minutes at the end of the cooking time, but watch closely so that it doesn't burn.

    Notes

    • Make sure to undercook your macaroni by 1-2 minutes because it will continue to cook in the oven and nobody wants mushy macaroni!
    • Prep Time: 20 minutes
    • Cook Time: 30 minutes
    • Category: Dinner
    • Method: Oven
    • Cuisine: American

    Nutrition

    • Calories: 859

    Keywords: vegan, dairy free, pasta, macaroni, mac and cheese, baked

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag us @paperandheartblog

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kris says

      December 29, 2021 at 11:12 pm

      Yes!

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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