Vegan Macaroni + Cheese

For most Americans, macaronic and cheese is a staple food. Over the years, vegan cooking has become more sophisticated and there are countless ways to make dairy-free Mac-and-cheese. It's surprising to most that the yellow color comes from sweet potatoes, carrots or tumeric powder. 

I decided to create a non-dairy milk-based Mac-and-cheese that looks similar to white cheddar. It's easy. It's affordable. It's budget-friendly. But most of all, it's delicious. The combination of garlic, tahini and nutritional yeast gives this a "hard cheese" flavor, similar to a hard cheddar, like English or Irish cheese. 

Macaroni and cheese is perfect in the wintertime, not only because it's hearty, but the meal itself is nostalgic. I remember my mother cooking my sister and I Mac and cheese with ground meat. Although my palate's changed, I was so excited as a child when my mother cooked this dish. Nothing ignites my sense of nesting like a good home cooked meal. 

If you have left overs, use vegan butter or some non-dairy milk when heating this up. This enhances the creaminess of the pasta while reheating. If you desire a "harder" flavor, add additional garlic and onion salt. 

​What's your favorite style of vegan Mac and cheese? I'd love to know! Enjoy! 

Vegan Macaroni + Cheese
Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
Serves 4-5

Ingredients:
16 oz macaroni pasta bag
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 onion, chopped (1 cup)
2-3 tbsp vegan butter or olive oil
2 cups nondairy milk
2 tbsp cornstarch
1/3 cup nutritional yeast
1 tsp tahini
1/4-1/2 tsp salt
pinch of pepper, garlic salt + onion salt
Optional add-ins once cooked: 1 tsp vegan butter

Directions:
Cook the pasta according to the package directions. 

In a pan, sautéed the garlic and onion in butter or oil for 3-5 minutes. Add the cornstarch and mix. Next add the milk and cook for 2-3 minutes. Take the liquid and put it with the remaining ingredients into a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour the liquid back into the pan and once the noodles are edible, drain the noodles and mix into the liquid. Remove from heat and add additional butter or spices as needed. Enjoy warm! 

Let's Connect! Enjoy our other MBSF pasta recipes below and save these recipes to your Yummly recipe box below!  

Vegan Creamy Lemon Asparagus Baked Pasta

Vegan Creamy Meyer Lemon + Spinach Pasta

Vegan Creamy Kale + Mushroom Pasta

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