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Home » Plant-Based Recipes » Dinner » Dairy Free Mac and Cheese

Dairy Free Mac and Cheese

By Bohemian Vegan Kitchen · Published: Mar 30, 2021 · Updated: May 18, 2022 7 Comments This post may contain affiliate links.

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One may wonder how you could POSSIBLY still enjoy this childhood staple without “real cheese” (or clumpy powdered cheese packet). But I assure you, this dairy free mac and cheese is so creamy, so yummy, and so CHEESY, you won’t even get the blue box blues.

Yeah, I went there. Because real mac and cheese can be made using just a few simple ingredients. All you need is some cooked macaroni and a delicious vegan cheese sauce to toss it with. I wish the internet had a sound effects button, so you could hear a chorus and twinkling noises when you read that. Let’s try it again…*cheese sauce*.

Did you hear the chorus? Excellent.

picture of vegan mac and cheese with spoon running through it.

This recipe was first published on January 17, 2015 but has been updated for content.

Jump to:
  • Best dairy free mac and cheese
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Allergy Information and Substitutions
  • Ingredients needed
  • How to make it
  • More dairy free cheese recipes:
  • Best Dairy Free Mac and Cheese

Best dairy free mac and cheese

When I started fooling around with dairy free mac and cheese a decade ago, I tried a million different methods.

There was the crash course with vegan cheeses– an experience that, ten years ago, typically ended by gagging. I can literally remember throwing an entire pot of vegan mac in the trash, without any protest from the kids.

All these years later though, vegan cheese has come a long way. And thankfully, the options that are on the market actually taste delicious. No longer do I have to rely solely on nutritional yeast to get the job done.

close up of vegan mac and cheese with baked broccoli on top

I love this dairy free mac and cheese because:

  • It’s creamy, the way mac and cheese should be.
  • It’s cheesy, using two different types of dairy free cheese + nutritional yeast for added flavor.
  • It’s topped with baked broccoli for a healthy bonus.

While I continue to make a variety of dairy free mac, this is a version that I always enjoy. Anytime I make this my son busts out a giddy dance across the kitchen floor, and my girls squeal with excitement. So that’s always a good sign lol.

I hope you enjoy this creamy, delicious, and healthy version of macaroni and cheese…Mmmmm!

picture of fresh broccoli florets on a cutting board

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use vegan cheese for this recipe?

Nope! If you don’t want to use store-bought dairy free cheese, the best option is doubling up on your nutritional yeast + adding spices for extra flavor. See the Allergy-Information and Substitutions for more on this.

Can this recipe by made gluten-free?

Absolutely. All you have to do is swap the regular macaroni pasta for a gluten-free pasta of your choice. Just keep in mind that the cook times may vary with gluten-free pasta.

super close up shot of vegan mac and cheese

Allergy Information and Substitutions

  • This macaroni and cheese is 100% vegan, meaning it is dairy-free and egg-free. It is also naturally soy-free and nut-free.
  • Make it gluten-free by swapping the pasta for a gluten-free macaroni of your choice.
  • Don’t like coconut? Just switch it out for your favorite plant-based milk, such as almond, cashew, or soy.
  • I love using vegan cheese shreds, but if you don’t want to use store-bought vegan cheese, simply omit it and double the nutritional yeast (that’s ½ cup total). You can also sprinkle in onion powder, garlic powder, turmeric, and smoked paprika for added flavor. Add don’t forget the salt!
  • For oil-free, steam the broccoli instead and omit the vegan cheese in the sauce (follow instructions in the bullet note above).
  • Baked broccoli gives this mac a healthy kick, but feel free to leave it out if you want to keep your mac and cheese classic.
picture of vegan mac and cheese on a wooden table

Ingredients needed

  • Macaroni pasta. Regular macaroni pasta, whole wheat pasta, or gluten free pasta all work here. Just keep in mind that the cook times may vary.
  • Broccoli florets.
  • Olive oil.
  • Salt and pepper.
  • Vegan cheese sauce (click here for the recipe)
picture of the ingredients you need for vegan mac and cheese

How to make it

1. Preheat oven to 400º (204° C). Toss broccoli florets with olive oil and spread out on baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Pop in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, until the broccoli is fork tender.

close up of broccoli baked

2. Meanwhile, cook macaroni pasta according to package directions. Get your cheese sauce going in a small pot on the stove. You can grab the recipe for the cheese sauce by clicking here.

picture of cheese sauce

3. Once broccoli is finished cooking, remove from oven. Drain cooked pasta and return to pot.

picture of macaroni drained

4. Pour cheese sauce on top of cooked pasta and toss to coat. You can add the cooked broccoli right in the macaroni, or serve on the side.

picture of cheese sauce poured on top of macaroni
picture of cheese sauce mixed with the macaroni

More dairy free cheese recipes:

  • Dairy Free Cheese Sauce
  • Bean and Cheese Vegan Chimichangas
  • Easy Vegan Parmesan Cheese
  • Bomb Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce

Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card and, if you enjoy it, leave a comment. Thanks in advance!

Best Dairy Free Mac and Cheese

Randi Tisdall
Want your mac and cheese but not the dairy? Then try this non-dairy mac and cheese, which gives you all the childhood feels. It's creamy, it's cheesy, and it's easy!
5 from 4 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Servings 8
Calories 272 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 1 lb macaroni pasta
  • 4 cups broccoli florets
  • 3 Tablespoons olive oil
  • vegan cheese sauce (see instructions/notes for link to recipe)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400º F (204° C). Toss broccoli florets with olive oil and spread out on baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Pop in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, until the broccoli is fork tender.
  • Meanwhile, cook macaroni pasta according to package directions. Get your cheese sauce going in a small pot on the stove. You can grab the recipe for the cheese sauce by clicking here.
  • Once broccoli is finished cooking, remove from oven. Drain cooked pasta and return to pot.
  • Pour cheese sauce on top of cooked pasta and toss to coat. You can add the cooked broccoli right in the macaroni, or serve on the side.

Notes

  • This macaroni and cheese is 100% vegan, meaning it is dairy-free and egg-free. It is also naturally soy-free and nut-free.
  • Make it gluten-free by swapping the pasta for a gluten-free macaroni of your choice.
  • Don’t like coconut? Just switch it out for your favorite plant-based milk, such as almond, cashew, or soy.
  • I love using vegan cheese shreds, but if you don’t want to use store-bought vegan cheese, simply omit it and double the nutritional yeast (that’s ½ cup total). You can also sprinkle in onion powder, garlic powder, turmeric, and smoked paprika for added flavor. Add don’t forget the salt!
  • For oil-free, steam the broccoli instead and omit the vegan cheese in the sauce (follow instructions in the bullet note above).
  • Baked broccoli gives this mac a healthy kick, but feel free to leave it out if you want to keep your mac and cheese classic.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 272kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 19mg | Potassium: 270mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 283IU | Vitamin C: 41mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe? Tell me about it + share!Comment and let me know how it was! Then follow BVK on Pinterest @bohemianvegankitchen
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About Bohemian Vegan Kitchen

I believe that wellness starts in your kitchen, but it doesn’t have to be complicated or boring! That's why I'm dedicated to sharing the best vegan comfort food and healthy recipes. Because at the end of the day, you should feel good about what you eat and how you feel, regardless of health restrictions or crazy schedules. Bohemian Vegan Kitchen has been featured by VegNews, Delish, Beyond Meat, MSN, and HuffPost.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kay

    August 14, 2019 at 11:21 am

    Does it taste like coconut? Do you use the entire can?

    Reply
    • Randi Tisdall

      August 15, 2019 at 2:04 pm

      Hi Kay, it may have a slight coconut taste but I enjoy it. Also, yes, you use the whole can. I hope you give it a go!

      Reply
  2. All that's Jas

    August 07, 2015 at 6:27 pm

    Hm, I’ve got to try turmeric in my pasta. Interesting! Thanks for sharing your recipe with Thursday Favorite Things! Have a great weekend!

    Reply

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