This vegan mac and cheese recipe is creamy, rich, and flavorful.
Traditional mac and cheese was a big part of my childhood. It’s packed with flavor and adds balance to your dinner. I love adding this cheesy pasta to collard greens, lentil patties, black-eyed peas, and cornbread muffins.
Brief History about Classic Mac & Cheese
Recently, I watched the documentary “High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America”. It is one of the best documentaries I’ve watched to date. If you love food then this documentary should be on your “Must Watch” list. The documentary covers the history of the first American chefs. James Hemmings, who helped popularize the American classic Mac and Cheese. Thank you, James, for helping develop a classic recipe that has filled the hearts and homes of so many around the world.
What’s in this vegan mac and cheese recipe
- white potato
- sweet potato
- nutritional yeast
- raw cashews
- onion powder
- sea salt
- olive oil
- garlic
- macaroni pasta
- smoked paprika
How to make vegan cheese
There are many ways to make vegan cheese. This recipe only includes one way. I’d highly suggest you try this recipe and experiment with others until you find the perfect cheese sauce for you.
- Add the potatoes to a saucepan and cover cold water and drop in a few pinches of salt. Once the water comes to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, and cook until fork-tender, 8-13 minutes.
- Drain the water and transfer the potatoes to a high-speed blender with cashews, garlic, nutritional yeast, onion powder, salt, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, and water. Blend until creamy and smooth.
How to make vegan mac and cheese
- Prepare the cheese sauce and set it aside.
- Make the pasta according to the package directions and add a few pinches of salt to the boiling water. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water.
- Drain and transfer the pasta back to the pot. Stir in the cheese sauce, adding as much of the remaining pasta water as needed, to loosen the sauce. Add black pepper and salt, to taste.
More delicious vegan recipes
Best Vegan Mac & Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
Vegan Cheese Sauce
- 3/4 cup peeled and diced white potato of your choice
- 1/4 cup water
- 3/4 cup peeled and diced sweet potato
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1/4 cup cashews
- 2 garlic clove
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil or use oil of your choice
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- black pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Remaining ingredients
- 12 oz macaroni pasta
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- sea salt to taste
Instructions
- Add the potatoes to a saucepan and cover with cold water and drop in a few pinches of salt. Once the water comes to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, and cook until fork-tender, 8-13 minutes.
- Drain the water and transfer the potatoes to a high-speed blender with cashews, garlic, nutritional yeast, onion powder, salt, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, and water. Blend until creamy and smooth.
- After the cheese sauce is made set it aside.
- Make the pasta according to the package directions and add a few dashes of salt to the boiling water. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water.
- Drain and transfer the pasta back to the pot. Stir in the cheese sauce, adding as much of the remaining pasta water as needed, to loosen the sauce. Add black pepper and salt, to taste. Enjoy!
Snap a photo, post it, and tag #ImWorthyRecipes and @IMWORTHYKITCHEN on Instagram.
It came out great. Thanks
I’m so happy to hear that!! Thank you for sharing.
My kids love when I make this Mac and cheese. So creamy and delicious! Thanks, Shana!!
Hi Gina, that’s awesome. I’m so happy you made the recipe. Thank you!!