Recipes Main meals Best Vegan Mac & Cheese

Best Vegan Mac & Cheese Recipe

Name: Best Vegan Mac & Cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 250 g (2 1/2 cups) macaroni pasta (gluten-free if required); 4 tablespoons olive oil; 1/2 brown onion, diced; 120 g (1 1/4 cups) cauliflower florets; 1 carrot, chopped; 2 small zucchini, peeled* & chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tablespoons plain flour (gluten-free if required); 375 ml (1 1/2 cups) unsweetened almond milk (or plant milk of choice); 1 cup nutritional yeast flakes; 2 teaspoons chipotle in adobo sauce (optional); 2 teaspoons salt; 2 teaspoons garlic powder; 2 teaspoons turmeric powder (mostly for colour!); 2 teaspoons smoked paprika; ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1 tablespoon vegan butter (optional); Salt & pepper, to season; Vegan cheddar cheese shreds (optional); Fresh parsley or basil, to garnish (optional)

Gluten-free option

Soy-free option

Refined sugar free

Nut-free option

Kid-friendly

Comfort food

Entertaining

Main meals

Gluten-free option

Soy-free option

Refined sugar free

Nut-free option

Kid-friendly

Comfort food

Entertaining

Main meals

Vegan baked macaroni and cheese in bowls and a baking dish, topped with herbs, iced water, salt, pepper on a blue tablecloth.

A serving of macaroni pasta in a creamy plant-based orange sauce, topped with chopped parsley, on a blue plate.

Any meal that sneaks in a whole serve of veggies undetected is a friend of ours! Who knew your blender was such a skilled magician?

You will need

Serves 4

250 g (2 1/2 cups) macaroni pasta (gluten-free if required)
4 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 brown onion, diced
120 g (1 1/4 cups) cauliflower florets
1 carrot, chopped
2 small zucchini, peeled* & chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons plain flour (gluten-free if required)
375 ml (1 1/2 cups) unsweetened almond milk (or plant milk of choice)
1 cup nutritional yeast flakes
2 teaspoons chipotle in adobo sauce (optional)
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons turmeric powder (mostly for colour!)
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon vegan butter (optional)
Salt & pepper, to season
Vegan cheddar cheese shreds (optional)
Fresh parsley or basil, to garnish (optional)

Recipe: Vicki Valsamis

Photography: Chris Middleton

Stylist: Deb Kaloper

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Directions

15 mins to prep

Step 1

Cook your pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Step 2

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium-sized saucepan over high heat. When shimmering, add onion, cauliflower, carrot, zucchini, and garlic. Stir to combine, then reduce the heat to low-medium. Cover with a lid and cookfor 10-12 minutes, or until the onion is translucent and vegetables are cooked through.
Step 3

Remove from the heat and purée the vegetables using a stick blender, food processor, or blender. Set aside.
Step 4

Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in another medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. After 30 seconds, add flour. Fry for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, then pour in the milk. Reduce the heat to low and whisk continuously for 3-4 minutes, or until the mixture thickens.
Step 5

Add the vegetable purée, then stir in nutritional yeast, chipotle sauce if using, salt, garlic powder, turmeric, smoked paprika, nutmeg, and vegan butter if using.
Step 6

Once combined thoroughly and seasoned with desired salt and pepper to taste, transfer cooked pasta into the sauce. Stir through, over the heat, for 1 minute.
Step 7

Serve immediately, garnishing with vegan cheddar cheese shreds and fresh herbs as desired.

Variation

If you want an even richer, more indulgent sauce, try using coconut milk instead of almond milk, melting some vegan cheese shreds into the sauce, and/or adding a dash of liquid smoke!

To accommodate picky eaters, we’d suggest swapping out the chipotle in adobo sauce for tomato paste, or leaving it out completely. The sauce will still be creamy and delicious, but will have a less intense flavour.