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Vegan Mac & 'Cheese'

55 min

Main

Attention all carb lovers! Do you love pasta? Do you love when the pasta is coated in a creamy sauce? Look no further, 'cuz this Mac & 'cheese' is absolutely incredible! Nothing says comfort food like a giant bowl of creamy delicious pasta.

Servings

Total

55 min

Prep

15 min

Cook

40 min

Contains

Treenut symbol

tree nut

Swap out

Soy symbol

soy

Gluten symbol

gluten

Free from

Peanut symbol

peanut

Sesame symbol

sesame

Ingredients

'Cheese' sauce

  • ½ cup (65 g)
    raw cashews
  • 8.8 oz (250 g)
    medium potatoes, peeled, cubed
  • 1
    carrot, peeled, chopped
  • 1
    medium onion, chopped
  • 3
    cloves garlic, sliced
  • 1 cup (240 mL)
    unsweetened soy milkโ€ 
  • ⅓ cup (12 g)
  • 1 Tbsp (15 mL)
  • 1 Tbsp (15 mL)
    dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp (6 g)
    salt
  • ½ tsp
    onion powder
  • 1 pinch
    ground black pepper

Assembly

  • 3¼ cups (396 g)
    dry macaroni pasta
  • 1
    medium broccoli, cut into florets
  • ½ cup (40 g)
    panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 Tbsp (14 g)
    unsalted vegan butter, melted

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350ยฐF (200ยฐC). Add the cashews to a bowl and cover with boiling water. Let sit for 10 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, chop all the vegetables.
  3. Add 1 inch (2 cm) of water to a large pot and bring it to a simmer. Add a steamer basket with the potatoes, carrots, onion and garlic*. Cover the pot and let the veggies steam for 10 - 15 minutes, or until tender.
  4. When the vegetables are soft, drain and add to a blender, together with the drained cashews, and all of the remaining 'cheese' sauce ingredients.
  5. Fill the large pot with water, add the pasta, and cook according to the package instructions. In the last 3 minutes of cooking, add in the broccoli florets. When the pasta is al dente, drain.
  6. Add the cooked pasta, broccoli, and sauce to a large baking dish. Toss together.
  7. In a small bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, melted butter and smoked paprika powder.
  8. Top the mac and cheese with the breadcrumbs and place in the oven for 20 minutes, until the top is golden and crispy.
  9. Serve with some fresh parsley on top for garnish if desired, and enjoy!

Notes

  • โ€ Nutrition tip: aim to use plant-based milk that is fortified with calcium.
  • * If you don't have a steamer basket, simply cook in the simmering water.

Storage

Let us know what you think

Plate method

The Plate Method is a visual tool that helps us ensure our dietary needs are on track. Touch the image below to see how this recipe measures up.

Grains & Starches 54%

medium potato

dry macaroni pasta

panko breadcrumbs

Proteins 14%

raw cashews

unsweetened soy milk

nutritional yeast flakes

Fruits & Veggies 32%

carrot

medium onion

clove garlic

medium broccoli

Calcium

unsweetened soy milk

Fat

raw cashews

unsalted vegan butter

Nutrition info

We believe that focusing on numbers can harm our relationship with food. Instead, our philosophy is to Nourish the Cells & the Soul. If you require specific nutrition information due to a medical condition, please consult with a dietitian or physician. The nutritional information provided is composed with the utmost care. However, we cannot guarantee the correctness of the displayed values, see also our disclaimer.

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Discussion & Rating

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Kristi - Feb. 23, 2024, 1:55 a.m.

This is by far the best vegan Mac and Cheese Iโ€™ve ever made as well as the most nutritionally well balanced. My 14 month old and I LOVED it, while my husband, who LOVES meat and cheese, really liked it. He commented that it was WAY more filling than normal mac and cheese. When taste testing the sauce he said he liked it but thought adding in some cheddar would make it perfect. However, after we added breadcrumbs and baked it, he loved it just the way it was with some season salt for some extra oomph. Weโ€™ve been trying to make eating more plants a priority and I was so impressed with how delicious, easy and satisfying this turned out. If youโ€™ve ever had those โ€œGreen Giant, Broccoli and Cheese Sauceโ€ steam packets, the taste of the sauce is more like that than a typical Mac and cheese sauce; but itโ€™s way more delicious with much cleaner and nutritionally dense ingredients. We will absolutely make again.

PUL Team - Feb. 23, 2024, 8:31 a.m.

How wonderful to hear that you and your family enjoyed the vegan Mac and 'Cheese', Kristi! We're so honoured to be welcomed into your kitchen and are so grateful for the glowing review. This is the biggest compliment we could ask for! Happy cooking ๐ŸŒฑ ๐Ÿ’›


Ronja - Feb. 14, 2024, 8:13 a.m.

This is the BEST comfort food - so delicious and flavoury, we loved how the mustard lightly came through in every bite! We used leftover pumpkin instead of the potatoes, worked perfectly!


Erika T - Feb. 9, 2024, 9:45 p.m.

This was delicious, I didn't think there was going to be enough sauce for all the macaroni when I first saw it, but followed the recipe exactly, and it was of course perfect ๐Ÿคฉ Will be enjoying this regularly now for sure!

PUL Team - Feb. 9, 2024, 9:53 p.m.

Aw we're so happy that the Vegan Mac & 'Cheese' was enjoyed, Erika - thanks a bunch ๐Ÿคฉ


Angela - Feb. 4, 2024, 8:15 p.m.

This is tasty and comforting.


รine - Jan. 20, 2024, 1:25 p.m.

This is absolutely delicious. Itโ€™s so comforting and tasty. I really love using this app and finding super ideas like this one. Thank you!

PUL Team - Jan. 20, 2024, 5:28 p.m.

Oh weโ€™re so thrilled that the Mac and โ€˜Cheeseโ€™ was enjoyed, รine, and youโ€™re finding new recipes with the app. Hereโ€™s to many more delicious adventures together ๐Ÿซถโœจ

รine - Jan. 21, 2024, 4:28 a.m.

Do you think that the sauce would freeze ok? I was thinking about batch making it and storing in the freezer for a really quick weekend treat meal.

PUL Team - Jan. 21, 2024, 10:20 p.m.

Hey there, รine, we haven't tested it out as sometimes potatoes can develop a grainy or mealy texture when frozen and thawed. Since the potatoes are blended in the sauce the mac and 'cheese' might freeze okay though. Do let us know if you test it out ๐Ÿค—


alice - Jan. 15, 2024, 11:39 a.m.

any substitutes suggested for carrots ? I cant stand cooked carrots ;/

PUL Team - Jan. 15, 2024, 7:14 p.m.

Hey there, Alice, our One-Pot Mac & Cheeze recipe doesn't include carrots: https://www.pickuplimes.com/rโ€ฆ

If you prefer modifying this recipe though, you could omit the carrot and perhaps substitute for sweet potato or squash a achieve a similar texture and colour ๐Ÿค—


Hippo Slipper - Jan. 15, 2024, 2:40 a.m.

I have cashew issues and have had luck subbing almonds in other vegan macaroni and cheese recipes. It did not work so well on this one. Itโ€™s just too sweet - almost amaretto tasting. We made it edible with ketchup and sriracha. Just cautioning others who are curious since cashews are a somewhat common allergen. Use the other PUL suggestions!!! (Not rating since I was gambling with the substitution.)

PUL Team - Jan. 15, 2024, 4:22 a.m.

Hey Hippo! Aw thanks for taking the time to share your experience experimenting with the Vegan Mac & 'Cheese'. Indeed for a cashew-free option we'd recommend some pre-soaked sunflower seeds or equal parts plant-based creamer, like soy creamer or oat creamer. Happy cooking โ˜บ๏ธ


Audrey - Dec. 14, 2023, 3:27 a.m.

Delicious, warm, and comforting. I love the bread crumb topping. I did a minute or two of broil at the end to make it extra toasty! Will make again.

Iโ€™m confused by some of the reviews talking about the ratio of regular to sweet potatoes. Was the recipe changed at some point?

PUL Team - Dec. 15, 2023, 4:01 a.m.

Love the idea of broiling the Vegan Mac & 'Cheese', Audrey! And thanks for the question. We indeed updated this recipe in March as we didn't believe it was the best version it could be ๐Ÿซถ


Karina Nicolich - Dec. 4, 2023, 5:19 p.m.

We made it yesterday and we love it!
Easy and hearty meal. The perfect comfort food we needed for a cool and grey spring Sunday.
I am surprised of how easy are all the recipes I have already made. Exactly what I need.

PUL Team - Dec. 5, 2023, 9:08 p.m.

So happy that the Vegan Mac & 'Cheese' and other recipes are being enjoyed, Karina! One of our goals is to share simple yet delicious plant-based recipes so it means a lot that we're succeeding๐ŸŒฑ


Jocelyne Abrego - Nov. 28, 2023, 8:47 p.m.

This dish is amazing and very creamy. For us we found that baking it made it a little dry. When I make this again and I will for sure I think we will just serve it as is directly from the pot.
Also we might add a few Chile flakes before serving.

PUL Team - Nov. 29, 2023, 12:53 a.m.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the vegan Mac and โ€˜Cheeseโ€™, Jocelyne - itโ€™s so appreciated๐Ÿซถโœจ


Karla - Nov. 14, 2023, 12:12 p.m.

Didn't work for me, unfortunately. The sauce was too thick. My vegetables might have been too large.

PUL Team - Nov. 15, 2023, 1:06 a.m.

Hey Karla, oh shoot, sorry to hear the recipe wasn't a success. In case it helps for future reference, one carrot for us is around 60 grams (2.1 ounces) and one medium onion is around 110 grams (3.9 ounces). In case you give the recipe another try, you could add a touch of water to the sauce to help thin it out as well. The feedback is helpful though and helps us improve what we do, so thank you! ๐Ÿ˜Š


brooke - Nov. 13, 2023, 4:06 a.m.

Delicious!! I made this alongside my family having non-vegan mac and cheese. They tried some too and said it was very tasty. The app made it so easy to put together as well. Thank you so much!!

PUL Team - Nov. 13, 2023, 8:32 p.m.

Oh we're so thrilled to hear, Brooke! The step-by-step cook along mode in the app is one of our favourites features ๐Ÿ™Œ


Mandy - Nov. 4, 2023, 2:03 p.m.

Delicious, soul food, easy to make and yummy!


Anna Lowe - Sept. 21, 2023, 3:05 a.m.

So delicious!! We absolutely loved it!


Kenz - Sept. 7, 2023, 5:38 p.m.

This was SO good and surprisingly very easy. Will definitely be making this again. ๐Ÿ˜‹


Yvonne L. - Sept. 5, 2023, 9:43 p.m.

Germany. Tuesday evening 8 pm. I pack smiling the remains of this incredibly good dinner and look forward to tomorrow at noon as lunch on it.
Afterwards, I grab a spoon and scrape all the wonderful pieces of crust from the edge of the casserole dish. It was just too good! ๐Ÿคฉ

PUL Team - Sept. 7, 2023, 8:50 p.m.

Aww this is so heartwarming, Yvonne, thank you!


Tessa - Aug. 27, 2023, 2:57 p.m.

My partner loved the recipe. I was a bit disappointed that the sauce was starchy/lumpy/stuck together instead of creamy. I couldnโ€™t figure out whether I needed to sharpen the blades of my blender or change up the proportions of the ingredients. Next time I might try adding olive oil and garlic salt for consistency and extra flavour.

PUL Team - Aug. 31, 2023, 2:05 a.m.

Hey Tessa, thanks for sharing your experience with the mac and cheese! A high-powered blender is helpful for getting rid of lumps. It can also help to make sure the vegetables are soft to make sure they can combine with the other sauce ingredients. If needed, you can add more milk to the sauce to thin it out next time, though olive oil is also a lovely idea - if you're afraid more liquid might dilute the flavours, just add a small bit more of the seasonings to help offset this ๐Ÿ™‚


Sine - Aug. 14, 2023, 7:21 p.m.

I love this recipe. So delicious and easy to make. Great comfort food and not too much hassle in the kitchen. Also a great meal prep as I, as a single, have food for days. I toss in couple of handful of spinach and peas also for some extra greens.

PUL Team - Aug. 15, 2023, 4:19 a.m.

A lovely idea to add some greens, Sine! So happy the recipe is being enjoyed ๐Ÿ˜Š


Kiki - July 29, 2023, 2:46 p.m.

sooo good! Swapped the potatos for the same amount of firm tofu and it went well! I am so excited about your new app, thanks a lot! best wishes from Germany โ™ฅ๏ธ

PUL Team - July 30, 2023, 7:28 p.m.

A lovely idea to add tofu, and thanks so much for your interest in the PUL App, Kiki! Hugs to Germany ๐Ÿค—


Lena - June 15, 2023, 1:30 p.m.

This is hands down the BEST vegan โ€žMac & Cheeseโ€œ Iโ€˜ve ever made! I realy disliked other recipes and this one was my last try and a good success!

PUL Team - June 15, 2023, 9:49 p.m.

Woop woop! Such a huge compliment, Lena - thank you ๐Ÿ’›


Erin G - June 12, 2023, 11:42 p.m.

One of my all time favorite recipes! It is great for meal prep during the week and super hearty and filling. I have not had a chance to try this recipe with the new breadcrumb recipe with the paprika yet but will certainly try it next time.

PUL Team - June 13, 2023, 1:52 a.m.

Thank you, Erin, and we hope you enjoy the new recipe if you're able to give it a try ๐Ÿค—


Jessica Stirling - May 8, 2023, 10:08 p.m.

Amazing. Tried it with sunflower seeds instead of cashews and it was amazing. Kids begged me to leave some sauce to dip chips in!

PUL Team - May 8, 2023, 11:17 p.m.

Oh, Jessica, this is so lovely to hear! Thank you ๐Ÿ˜ƒ


Regina - April 26, 2023, 4:30 p.m.

This looks and sounds delicious! I will definitely be trying this soon. However, is there any way I can leave out the cashews, as my husband is intolerant? Thanks so much in advance!

PUL Team - April 29, 2023, 7:43 a.m.

Hey there, Regina, we haven't tested it so I can't say with certainty how well these will work, but what comes to mind is you could try to substitute the cashews for 1) some pre-soaked sunflower seeds, or 2) equal parts plant-based creamer, like soy creamer or oat creamer. We hope this helps for now ๐Ÿ™‚

Jessica Stirling - May 8, 2023, 10:08 p.m.

I tried it with sunflower seeds and it was great!


Margaret - April 8, 2023, 5:17 a.m.

Honestly could not taste the difference between this and real mac n' cheese! The cheese sauce is incredible!

PUL Team - April 8, 2023, 5:05 p.m.

Awe so glad the recipe was enjoyed, Margaret, thank you!


Anne-Marie - March 5, 2023, 8:46 p.m.


Kerstin - March 5, 2023, 2:48 p.m.

Iโ€™ve never had Mac n cheese before going vegan but Iโ€™ve tried a few recipes before and they all tasted really disappointing. Not so with this one! OH MY GOD itโ€™s comfort in a bowl!! I absolutely love it! Next time I might add a little lemon zest for some freshness but Iโ€™ll definitely be making this again!

PUL Team - March 5, 2023, 11:06 p.m.

Woohoo! So happy the recipe was enjoyed, Kerstin, thank you ๐Ÿ˜ƒ


Constanze - Feb. 6, 2023, 9:59 a.m.

I really enjoyed this dish, I think it was just as comforting as promised ๐Ÿ˜Š I appreciated the addition of the broccoli and served it with a little side salad for even more freshness. Will surely be making this again ๐Ÿ‘Œ

PUL Team - Feb. 7, 2023, 11:28 p.m.

Hey Constanze, so glad the recipe was enjoyed ๐Ÿ˜ƒ


Martunia - Jan. 19, 2023, 8:34 p.m.

I made this recipe three times now. I've never had mac'n'cheese before going vegan so I can't compare flavors. However, there's something about the taste of this dish that makes me come back to it every now and then. And it's so healthy witj the broccoli and two kinds of potatoes!

PUL Team - Jan. 20, 2023, 7:30 a.m.

Oh so lovely to hear, Martunia, thank you! So happy to hear the recipe is being enjoyed ๐Ÿค—


Erin - Sept. 24, 2022, 9:05 p.m.

I was a little hesitant to try this recipe based on some of the reviews, but I gave it a shot... IT'S DELICIOUS! Plus, it really is a vegan and WFPB comfort food. The sauce is super "cheesy," and its texture is definitely ooey-gooey. It gave me all the same comfort-food feelings as the super cheesy and Beschamel-y, ham-studded mac and cheese my mom made for us growing up!

And it's just so yummy! I did switch the ratio of potato to sweet potato (so I put in more sweet potato than potato). And I added more salt than is called for in the recipe and heavily salted my pasta water, too, which I also ladled into the sauce as I mixed in the cooked pasta. Adding the pasta water amped up the flavor and helped with creaminess too, I think. :)

Thank you! Love your videos and recipes!

PUL Team - Sept. 25, 2022, 1:43 a.m.

Hi Erin, thanks a bunch for taking the time to share your experience with this one! It means so much ๐Ÿ˜ƒ


Florentina - May 11, 2022, 6:02 p.m.

Hello Sadia! Hope all is well.

I tried your vegan mac and cheese recipe today and want to share my thoughts and experience. First of all I skipped the cashews, since I didn't have them at home. So I tried it without it and used more potatoes instead. The sauce still looked like yours in the video and smelled really good but it didn't taste as intensely as it smelled. I'm wondering if it has to do with the fact that I used more potatoes, instead of the cashews.

I think I'm going to try it again, since the combination of the spices smelled really good.

Thanks for sharing.

PUL Team - May 12, 2022, 3:30 p.m.

Hi Florentina! Thanks for sharing your experience with it. The cashews help this one be more creamy and cheese-like. If using more potatoes instead, we suspect the flavour may have been diluted without the boost of creaminess. You could add more nutritional yeast or spices to taste to help with the current batch. We hope you enjoy if it you give the Mac & 'Cheese' another try ๐Ÿ˜ƒ


Julia - Jan. 28, 2022, 7:38 p.m.

Love all your recipes! This one is just as great as the others! Thank you!

PUL Team - Jan. 29, 2022, 12:44 a.m.

We're so glad to hear, Julia, thank you!


Jahnavi Punna - Nov. 14, 2021, 2:49 a.m.

I tried this recipe today it comes out great


Linda - Oct. 25, 2021, 12:46 a.m.

My family are not Vegan but I love the PUL videos and recipes. Over the years we have tried a few Vegan macaroni cheese recipes and they have all been rejected by the family. This one was an absolute hit. So much so that my daughter said โ€œyum, this is just so cheesyโ€. I then shared proudly that there was no cheese. A total success. We used peas instead of the broccoli and it worked perfectly.

PUL Team - Oct. 26, 2021, 4:53 a.m.

Oh, Linda, this means so much! We're so happy the mac and cheese was enjoyed by everyone ๐Ÿ˜Š


Treena - Oct. 10, 2021, 2:53 a.m.

I am excited to try this for my (Canadian) vegan Thanksgiving, which is tomorrow!! =)

PUL Team - Oct. 10, 2021, 3:53 a.m.

So honoured it will be part of the special get-together, Treena! We hope you enjoy it :)

Treena - Oct. 10, 2021, 10:19 p.m.

Thank you, I"m taste testing it right now (before our family meal tonight) and it is delicious!! You are definitely part of my special day with my family today.

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving, PUL Team. =) >^..^<


Venya - Sept. 4, 2021, 5:31 a.m.

Hello ๐Ÿ‘‹ I tried your Mac and cheese recipe and it was really good and my parents loved it ๐Ÿ˜Š and making it , was really easy for me so thank you for sharing this recipe.

PUL Team - Sept. 4, 2021, 5:30 p.m.

Hello, Venya! Awe we're so happy to hear you and your parents enjoyed the Mac & 'Cheese' โœจ


Doreen - Aug. 20, 2021, 9 p.m.

It was VERY delicious, cheesy/gooey texture. I added more than double the garlic and cooked the broccoli separately in a pan with garlic. It would have been difficult to cook the broccoli in the sauce because itโ€™s so thick, it had a hard time boiling without sticking to the pan. I also added some of the pasta water to thin it out a bit. Add at least two medium broccoli heads. Will be making this again for sure !!!

PUL Team - Aug. 23, 2021, 11 p.m.

Hey there, Doreen, thanks for sharing your experience with this one! Lowering the heat a touch, adding a bit more oil, or stirring more might help with the stickiness. Happy cooking ๐Ÿ˜ƒ


Anubha - July 30, 2021, 1:32 a.m.

I live in Melbourne and somehow the potatoes here take a long time to soften up! So I separately cooked the potatoes and sweet potatoes in a pressure cooker. Once cooked, I then blended them with the soaked cashew nuts. I then added the blended mix to the butter, flour and soy milk. I cooked onions and broccoli with garlic separately and added it to the final mix with the boiled pasta. I also added some more condiments for flavouring (the original recipe is a bit too bland for my taste) and some extra chilli too! The overall result was yum, and I am not even vegan!

PUL Team - Aug. 1, 2021, 8:29 a.m.

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with the recipe with us, Anubha! Glad you enjoyed the recipe :)


Valerie - July 29, 2021, 2:36 a.m.

Delightful dish! Easy to make and was enjoyed by the non-vegan members of my family as well! For all my gluten-free friends: I used King Arthur GF All- Purpose Flour (the one without xanthan gum) as a 1-for-1 substitute for the flour and it worked perfectly.

PUL Team - July 29, 2021, 11:42 p.m.

Ooo thanks for the tip, Valerie, super helpful to hear!


Cรฉline - July 10, 2021, 11:07 p.m.

Maybe I have done something wrong. This recipe didn't convince me. I am not a full time vegan and honestly, I prefer the non-vegan version in this case. Sorry.

PUL Team - July 16, 2021, 4:45 a.m.

Hi there, Cรฉline, thank you for the honest feedback. How disappointing that the mac and cheese wasn't enjoyed! If you're interested in trying it again and remember what you didn't like, we'd be happy to provide some suggestions. For example, if it was flavour or texture related :)


Lisa - July 9, 2021, 6:18 p.m.

This recipe is e-very-thing! I had not even used all the ingredients for the recipe but how many times did not make it; I love it, my friends love it, and I believe my other beloved ones will love it! One thing that I still struggle with it not getting a slimy texture from the potatoes; maybe me adding the yeast would have contributed to break down the molecules responsible for that... but my love for this dish is unconditional! Just looking at it makes me crave it...
The plate method and nutritional info are fantastic, however got this idea is a genius!

PUL Team - July 15, 2021, 2:42 a.m.

Hi Lisa, thank you for the review. It's so appreciated! It sounds like perhaps too much starch is getting released from the potatoes leading to the sliminess. Rinsing the steamed potatoes before adding them in step five is one idea to help. So glad the mac and cheese was enjoyed still ๐Ÿค—


Claire - July 9, 2021, 12:14 a.m.

Great for making for non vegans, first time I tried this made it 3 nights in a row :)


Cris S - June 5, 2021, 4:09 p.m.

I like this recipe for about two days!