Easy Vegan Mac and Cheese - Stovetop & Nut-Free Recipe
This easy vegan mac and cheese recipe uses a creamy, flavorful sauce made from olive oil, flour, and non-dairy milk, combined with nutritional yeast and spices for a cheesy taste without any dairy or nuts. Perfect for a quick stovetop meal that serves 6, it is nut-free and packed with plant-based goodness.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Vegan, American Comfort
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Pasta
- 16 oz. small pasta (shells, elbow, penne, rigatoni, etc.)
Vegan Cheese Sauce
- 1/3 cup olive oil or vegan butter
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour (preferably unbleached)
- 3 1/2 cups unsweetened non-dairy milk (at room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon white miso paste (optional)
- 1/2-1 cup nutritional yeast
- Sea salt & fresh cracked pepper, to taste
- 1/2-1 teaspoon chili + chipotle powder (for spicy option)
- 1/2-1 teaspoon smoked paprika (for subtle smokiness)
- 1/2-1 teaspoon onion powder (for rounding out the flavor)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook your pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta well and set it aside for later assembly.
- Make Roux: In a small to medium saucepan, heat the olive oil or vegan butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk vigorously to combine, cooking for about 2 minutes until the mixture becomes bubbly. This cooks out the raw flour taste and forms the base of the sauce.
- Add Milk and Thicken Sauce: Slowly add the unsweetened non-dairy milk while constantly whisking to prevent lumps. Continue whisking as the sauce thickens, then add garlic powder, salt, and any optional spices such as chili-chipotle powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder. Reduce heat to low and cook for about 8 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid sticking and ensure smoothness.
- Finish Sauce: Remove the sauce from heat. Stir in the nutritional yeast and optional white miso paste until fully incorporated and smooth. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning as needed for saltiness or spice.
- Combine and Serve: Toss the cooked pasta with the vegan cheese sauce until fully coated. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use any small pasta shapes like shells, elbow macaroni, penne, or rigatoni according to preference.
- White miso paste adds umami depth but is optional for those avoiding soy.
- Adjust the amount of nutritional yeast to your preferred cheesiness level.
- Spices such as chili-chipotle powder and smoked paprika add a smoky, spicy dimension but can be omitted or adjusted.
- Serve immediately as the sauce thickens upon standing and may become less creamy.
- To keep it nut-free, ensure your non-dairy milk and butter alternatives do not contain nuts.
