Vegan Mac 'n' Cheese Recipe

Name: Vegan Mac 'n' Cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 3 cups small cauliflower florets, chopped; 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil; 1 large shallot, minced; 1 large clove garlic, minced; Juice of 1 small lemon (about 2 tablespoons); 1 tablespoon white or yellow miso paste; 2 teaspoons spicy mustard; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper; 1/8 teaspoon ground turmeric; 3/4 cup plain unsweetened almond or other plant-based milk; 1/4 cup nutritional yeast flakes; 2 teaspoons packed brown sugar; 10 ounces shredded vegan Cheddar (about 2 1/2 cups); 1 pound elbow macaroni; Hot sauce, for serving, optional

Servings: persons

3 cups small cauliflower florets, chopped
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large shallot, minced
1 large clove garlic, minced
Juice of 1 small lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
1 tablespoon white or yellow miso paste
2 teaspoons spicy mustard
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground turmeric
3/4 cup plain unsweetened almond or other plant-based milk
1/4 cup nutritional yeast flakes
2 teaspoons packed brown sugar
10 ounces shredded vegan Cheddar (about 2 1/2 cups)
1 pound elbow macaroni
Hot sauce, for serving, optional

1
Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
2
Put the cauliflower and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat.
3
Cover, bring to a simmer and cook until the cauliflower is fully softened, about 20 minutes.
4
Transfer the cooked cauliflower and all the cooking liquid to a food processor and set aside.
5
Wipe out the saucepan.
6
Heat the oil in the saucepan over medium heat.
7
Add the shallot and garlic and cook, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes.
8
Stir in the lemon juice, miso, mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, 3/4 teaspoon black pepper, cayenne and turmeric until well combined.
9
Gradually whisk in the almond milk, nutritional yeast and brown sugar and bring just to a simmer.
10
Remove from heat.
11
Process the cauliflower until smooth.
12
With the food processor running, gradually add the warm almond milk mixture and process until extra creamy.
13
Transfer the cauliflower-almond milk mixture to a large saucepan over medium heat, add the vegan Cheddar and stir occasionally until it melts.
14
Meanwhile, add the elbow macaroni to the boiling water and cook according to package directions.
15
Strain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
16
Add the pasta to the sauce and stir to combine.
17
Stir in some of the reserved pasta cooking liquid to reach your desired consistency.
18
Add salt to taste.
19
Serve hot with hot sauce on the side if using.

662

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.
Leave out the nuts to make it nut-free, or swap in seeds for a similar crunch.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 16 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 3 cups small cauliflower florets, chopped, 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, 1 large shallot, minced, 1 large clove garlic, minced, and more.

Yes, Vegan Mac 'n' Cheese falls under the Vegetarian category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Vegan Mac 'n' Cheese

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions