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Vegan mac and cheese, baked in a white dish.
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4.82 from 54 votes

The Best Vegan Mac and Cheese (Stovetop or Baked)

This is The Best Vegan Mac and Cheese: flavorful, creamy, and made with simple ingredients. Cook it on the stovetop in just 30 minutes or opt for the baked version, both are out of this world!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Main Dish, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegan
Servings: 8
Calories: 447kcal
Author: Iosune

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces dried pasta of choice I used elbow macaroni

For the vegan cheese sauce:

  • 2 cups potatoes I used Yukon Gold, peeled and chopped
  • 1 cup carrots peeled and chopped
  • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup unsweetened non-dairy milk I used soy milk
  • ½ cup nutritional yeast
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder

For the breadcrumb topping (optional):

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Boil or steam the potatoes and carrots in a large pot for about 20 minutes or until soft. Drain them and set them aside.
  • In the meantime, cook the pasta according to the package directions. Once cooked, drain and set it aside.
  • Put all the vegan cheese sauce ingredients, including the cooked potatoes and carrots, into a blender and blend until smooth.

Stovetop version:

  • Combine the cooked pasta with the vegan cheese sauce in the pot. Reheat the mixture for 1-2 minutes if necessary, then serve immediately.

Baked version:

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish.
  • Add the drained pasta, pour in the vegan cheese sauce, and stir thoroughly until well combined.
  • To prepare the breadcrumb topping, simply combine the breadcrumbs and melted vegan butter in a small bowl until thoroughly mixed. Set it aside.
  • Sprinkle the breadcrumb topping over the pasta.
  • Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown and crispy. Serve immediately.

Video

Notes

  • Smooth Vegan Cheese Sauce: For an ultra-smooth vegan cheese sauce, consider peeling the potatoes and carrots before blending. This helps achieve a silkier texture.
  • Avoid Overbaking: Be cautious not to overbake the dish, as it can lead to dryness. If using breadcrumbs, you can also broil the top briefly to achieve a golden brown, crispy finish.
  • High-Speed Blender: For the creamiest sauce, opt for a high-speed blender. While an immersion blender can work too, it may not achieve the same silky texture.
  • Cook Pasta Al Dente: Aim for slightly undercooked pasta when boiling, as it will continue cooking in the oven, preventing mushiness.
  • Let It Rest: Allow the mac and cheese to rest for a few minutes after baking. This allows the flavors to meld, and it becomes easier to serve in neat portions.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 447kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 442mg | Potassium: 503mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2732IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 2mg