8-Ingredient Easy Vegan Mac n’ Cheese

I have some seriously fond memories when it comes to Mac n’ Cheese. It brings me back to my childhood. Kraft Mac and Cheese was the first thing I ever learned how to “cook.” I remember feeling so proud that I – young Melissa – was able to cook food on my own.

Since then, I have learned that conventional Mac and cheese isn’t actually food, so much as it is a cocktail of chemical compounds strung together to look like food. But boy was it good. So what was a girl to do? Make my own dairy free, gluten free, healthy version of course!

Now, I am vegan, so I don’t have dairy, but far before I was vegan I stopped eating dairy products all together. After doing a Whole 30 elimination diet – where I completely eliminated dairy products – I noticed how awesome I felt. Since then, I have never looked back.

So What’s the deal with dairy?

It is well documented that dairy is highly inflammatory, meaning it causes inflammation in the body. This means it can cause bloating, gas, constipation and diarrhea. Awesome right? Some people are able to digest and assimilate it better than others. However, many people – like myself – have difficulty. Mind Body Green has a great article called the Dangers of Dairy if you’re interested in learning more.

One of the best things you can do to see if dairy is right for you, is to try cutting it out for a couple weeks. Notice how you feel. You may notice a decrease in the symptoms I mentioned earlier like bloating and gas. If so, awesome! There are some great dairy substitutes like nut milks, and nut cheeses. Or any of the recipes on this blog for that matter – like this one!

I am always on a mission to create healthy, vegan versions of my favourite recipes. But I’m also kind of lazy. I want all the deliciousness of my favourite foods, AND I want them to be stupidly easy to make. With simple, easily available ingredients.

This vegan Mac n’ Cheese recipe uses 8 simple ingredients to create a delicious, dairy free version of your favourite childhood snack.

A Note on the ingredients

This recipe is made with some ingredients you might already have on hand: Cashews, coconut oil, garlic, onion, turmeric and salt. But the key to that cheesy deliciousness is Nutritional Yeast. I use Bragg’s Nutritional Yeast. It comes in an easy shake container, and I really love the quality of their products so it’s one that I totally trust. Its important that if you have nutritional yeast on hand, you keep it in the fridge to maintain freshness.

The other thing you may or may not have on hand is turmeric. Turmeric is one of my favourite spices, and I actually try and sneak it into everything – even cookies! I’m hardcore. Obviously. But turmeric is one of the most potent anti-inflammatory spices around. It also lends to the orangey look of this Mac n’ Cheese.

As for the brown rice pasta, you should be able to get it pretty much anywhere. If you’re close to a Loblaws, check their natural foods department. My personal favourite place to go is Ambrosia. They have the best prices, and a wicked selection of gluten free pasta!

Now, onto the recipe!

Print Recipe

8-Ingredient Easy Vegan Mac n' Cheese

This vegan Mac n' Cheese recipe uses 8 simple ingredients to create a delicious, dairy free version of your favourite childhood snack.

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

10 minutes

Servings

people

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup cashews soaked
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1-2 cloves garlic
• 1 onion chopped
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 2 cups brown rice pasta
• salt & pepper to taste

Prep Time 10 minutes Cook Time 10 minutes Servings people Ingredients 3/4 cup cashews soaked 3/4 cup water 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp nutritional yeast 1/2 tsp turmeric 1-2 cloves garlic 1 onion chopped 2 tbsp coconut oil 2 cups brown rice pasta salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Soak cashews for 1-2 hours - or use quick soak method of 30 mins in boiling water
2. Add cashews, water, nutritional yeast, coconut oil, turmeric and garlic into a blender, and blend on high until all ingredients are mixed thoroughly. Add salt to taste. For a hint of spice add a 1/2 tsp of cayenne pepper (totally optional).
3. While pasta is boiling, sauté some onions in a sauce pan. (Onions are completely optional, but if you like the taste of onions like I do, add em in! You can also saute some mushrooms as well)
4. Strain and add pasta and mac n cheesy sauce to the onions, and mix together. If you find the sauce is too thick, add some water toward the end
5. Serve hot with some vegan parmesan cheese topping!

Share this Recipe