This isn’t Kraft’s mac ‘n’ cheese – it’s better. And healthier (you’re welcome, cholesterol levels.) And of course, vegan! We easily veganized a simple mac ‘n’ cheese by using:
Elbow Macaroni
Vegan Cheddar Cheese (we used Daiya)
Nondairy Milk (we used this rice milk)
Vegan Butter (we used this brand)
All Purpose Flour
+ Spices
So simple, right? You can thank us later.
Check out our other mac n cheese recipes!
Easy Creamy Mac ‘n’ Cheese
This easy mac 'n' cheese tastes even better than the boxed stuff we all grew up eating – with no harm done!
Ingredients
- 16 oz elbow macaroni cooked and drained
- 1/4 cup vegan butter
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 2 cups nondairy unsweetened, plain rice milk
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt, plus more to taste
- 1/8 tsp black pepper, plus more to taste
- 1 tsp yellow or dijon mustard
- 2 cups vegan cheddar cheese
Instructions
Make the cheese sauce:
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Stir in the flour and let cook for a few minutes, forming a roux.
- Slowly add the milk while continuously stirring. Mix in the spices and mustard.
- Let cook until the mixture bubbles, occasionally stirring.
- Add the cheese while continuously stirring. Mix until it is completely melted.
Finish up:
- Combine the cheese and noodles until completely combined. Taste and add more salt and pepper, if needed.
- Serve and top with extra paprika and parsley.
This looks so good!!! But- I really am not a fan of the daiya cheese.. do you have any alternatives for this recipe? What about just adding nutritional yeast to the roux?
Thanks!!
I used Daiya and couldn’t tell it was Daiya.
Couldn’t tell it was Daiya! It was so good! Just made it for myself and my parents as a treat and they couldn’t tell the difference between this and the box stuff from the store!
that’s what we like to hear!!! yay! so glad you and your parents loved it 🙂
Turned out amazing!!!!!! Best mac and cheese ever!!!!
This is the best Mac and cheese I ever tried. My brothers who are non vegans did not even know it was vegan and they LOVED it. Household favorite??
Mac ‘n’ cheese has always been my childhood favorite, but since I’ve been vegan I feel like I’ve been so deprived! So excited to try this recipe — blessed!
Wondering why mine had a strong flavor of dijon mustard? I even measured. My kids were the critics and they did not like. Was really hoping to find a vegan mac recipe. Any ideas to make it better next time?
You can omit the mustard for no mustard flavor!
This Mac n cheese is sooo delicious! Thanks so much for sharing because this has become my go to Mac n cheese.
the best vegan mac i’ve made to date – so thankful for this recipe! my non vegan boyfriend is obsessed. i made it for thanksgiving & my (again, no vegan) family ate all of it! a must try
That’s amazing!!! We love hearing when non-vegan friends and fam love our recipes! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Hi! Do you think coconut milk or almond milk would work for this recipe, or would the flavor be too strong?
It would probably be too strong. You could try subbing for unsweetened almond milk, but it will probably add a sweetness that we don’t particularly like. We would highly recommend using rice milk if you can! 🙂
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Haven’t made this yet!! Sounds delicious – I use Daiya cheese all the time… Just wanted to know can I sub a gluten free flour as I am gluten free as well…
I don’t know if I did something wrong but it tasted really bland :/ I used just like “just like cheddar shreds” I halved the recipe too. I used unsweetened califa almond milk. I’m thinking maybe I added too much butter? Not sure just wasn’t good to me. Glad the rest of you enjoyed it tho! God bless 🙂
Sorry you didn’t love it, Jenny! Maybe you’d like our baked vegan mac n cheese? The cashew cream adds a ton of flavor: https://www.sixvegansisters.com/2018/12/16/vegan-baked-mac-n-cheese/ let us know if you try it!
I don’t have rice milk, which alternative would you recommend, almond, oat or cashew milk?
I used unsweetened oat milk and it was fine. Reckon I could double up on the onion powder and halve the paprika. Also. Save some of the sauce and dip a piece of bread in it and fry in butter. Oh. My. God.
Used this with almond milk and it was great! Any guidance on keeping leftover cheese sauce – fridge or freezer?
Could I use Gluten free flour top make this GF?
Oh wow, this was amazing! I tried a baked Mac n cheese recipe and it just didn’t hit the mark. This one however, was delicious! I halved the recipe and removed the mustard. Also sprinkled some smoked paprika on the top. Heavenly! Thank you 😊
Not bad tasting. I used the Fry’s brand of vegan cheddar cheese and it turned out very delicious ! So easy to make too!