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Creamy Vegan Cashew Mac and Cheese

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You won’t miss the dairy in this creamy vegan Cashew Mac and Cheese. Cashews make this sauce velvety and perfect for a quick yet healthy weeknight meal. 

Creamy Vegan Cashew Mac and Cheese in bowls

Growing up my mom didn’t really cook much. The one thing I do remember “cooking” with her is boxed mac and cheese. Mac and Cheese has always been my comfort food.

Anytime I’m cold, sad, or stressed I crave some mac and cheese. And although back in the day we didn’t make the pasta or sauce from scratch, it was nice helping my mom with the “cooking”.

After going vegan, I did the whole pre-made boxed vegan mac and cheese thing. It was easier for me because that’s what I was used to even when I ate dairy. After a while though, I realized I could make a healthier version.

Don’t get me wrong, I still love my store bought boxed vegan mac and cheese every once in a while but I like to like to use whole foods as much as possible… and this creamy vegan Cashew Mac and Cheese beats the boxed brands!

Creamy Vegan Cashew Mac and Cheese

Cashews Make Things Creamy

Cashews are an amazing nut. They offer protein, healthy fat, and a nice dose of magnesium.

Blend them up cashews with some water and you have a tasty cream! I put cashew cream in just about anything that needs some creaminess.

Here are some other recipes besides cashew mac and cheese that you can make if you love cashews too:

Creamy Vegan Cashew Mac and Cheese in bowl

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Creamy Vegan Cashew Mac and Cheese

I like whipping up big batches of this cashew mac and cheese for myself and using it throughout the week. This way I have some on hand anytime I’m in a cheesy mood.

You can also make the sauce and use it for a number of other dishes. The sauce is great on:

  • veggies (I particularly love it on broccoli – try it with the kids!)
  • baked potatoes/fries (like these Potato Wedges)
  • veggie burgers
  • buddha bowls
  • popcorn tofu
  • nachos
  • or anything you want cheesier!

cashew mac and cheese on a spoon

 

You won't miss the dairy in this Creamy Vegan Mac and Cheese!Click To Tweet

If you make this vegan cashew mac and cheese recipe, let me know what you think by ★ star rating it and leaving a comment below.

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5 from 6 votes
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Cashew Vegan Mac and Cheese

You won't miss the dairy in this Creamy Cashew Vegan Mac and Cheese. Cashews make this sauce velvety and perfect for a quick yet healthy weeknight meal. 

Course Main Course
Cuisine American, pasta
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 240 kcal
Author Mary Ellen

Ingredients

  • 12 oz pasta (gf if needed)
  • 1 cup raw cashews soaked in water for at least 1-2 hours or in boiling water for 10 minutes*
  • 1/2 cup water (more if needed)
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 3 TB coconut milk (or other non-dairy milk but the canned coconut milk makes it the creamiest)
  • 2 tablespoons white miso paste (or 1 Tb salt but trust me the miso makes it fab)
  • 2 TB diced pimentos
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 6 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1 tsp dijon mustard

Toppings

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta to package directions.

  2. Blend all of the ingredients together in a high-speed blender starting with 1/2 a cup of water until smooth. Add more if you need. It’s better to add the water a little at a time to get a nice consistency – you don’t want it too watered down.

  3. Drain pasta and top with sauce and toppings.

Optional Additions

  1. I usually serve this with some steamed broccoli or cooked kale to make this a full healthy meal.

Recipe Notes

  • I use a high speed blender like a Vitamix when blending cashews.
  • Nutrition info is for the sauce only.
  • There may be a little sauce left over. If so save it for veggies later in the week! To reheat the sauce, add a little more milk or water to thin it out and heat on low for only a few minutes.
Nutrition Facts
Cashew Vegan Mac and Cheese
Amount Per Serving
Calories 240 Calories from Fat 135
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 15g 23%
Total Carbohydrates 16.5g 6%
Dietary Fiber 4.5g 18%
Protein 13.25g 27%
Iron 16%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Like my vegan cashew mac and cheese recipe? You might also enjoy…

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Creamy Vegan Cashew Mac and Cheese

Mary Ellen

Mary Ellen Valverde MS CNS LDN received her Master’s degree in Human Nutrition from the University of Bridgeport. As a Certified Nutrition Specialist, Mary Ellen helps her clients regain their health through a plant-based diet. She uses a functional approach to nutrition and wellness to help uncover the root cause of imbalances that may be impacting health.  

Creamy Vegan Cashew Mac and Cheese | You won't miss the dairy in this gluten-free vegan macaroni and cheese! It's simple to make and a great way to still have mac and cheese if you're vegan or dairy-free! The creamy sauce is made with nutritional yeast and cashews to make a perfect vegan comfort food. #vegancashewmacandcheese #veganmacaroniandcheese #veganmacandcheese #vnutrition #healthycashewmacandcheese #cashewmacandcheese #vegancashewmacandcheeserecipe
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Comments

  2. How lovely!!! I really love the idea of the cashew sauce here, it looks so tasty. You’d never know by your photo that wasn’t “real” mac & cheese!

    Reply

  4. “Anytime I’m cold, sad, or stressed, I crave some mac and cheese.”
    I’m with ‘ya! This is definitely a foodie memory for me too. I practically grew up on this stuff. We call it Kraft Dinner in Canada, whether it came from the brand box or not (even homemade was called Kraft Dinner haha). I have made homemade versions before, but your cheese sauce especially good. I bet the miso really does give it a nice fermenty flavour. Looking forward to trying this out!

    Reply

    • Thanks Kimmy! My mac & cheese always came from a box but I love how you called it Kraft Dinner all the time.

      Yes, the miso adds a nice little flavor. I’ve been putting it in a lot of savory dishes lately. 🙂

      Reply

  6. I love this dairy free version of mac n cheese! It’s been so long since I’ve had any, now I’m craving it 🙂

    Reply

  9. This looks SO GOOD!! I make mac n cheese from scratch but I usually add in a little spicy mustard. I can’t wait to try this with the miso!!
    Thank you for linking up with us for Meatless Monday!

    Reply

  18. That sounds delicious. I make my vegan cheese sauce a little differently. I make a traditional roux with dairy free spread and soy milk, then add grated vegan cheddar. I used to hate vegan cheddar, but there is a brand called Violife with make cheese with coconut milk and it’s really good. It melts and tastes like cheddar, so I have reverted to the roux method and my nutritional yeast is a little forgotten, but I remember how good this version tastes too. Thanks for submitting it to Meat Free Mondays. The roundup and linky is live. I featured your recipe this week and will share.

    Reply

    • Thanks for featuring me Jac! Your version sound delicious! I think I may have tried Violife when I visited Europe but we can’t get that round here. Actually, there’s a vegan cheese called Chao Cheese that’s made with coconut so maybe I can try your version with that, it sounds delicious!

      Reply

  24. YUMMY!! This is similar to how I make my cashew cheese- I LOVE IT!! You’re right, the coconut really adds to the creamiest, and it’s good on just about anything. Thanks for sharing lovely!

    Reply

  26. wow! Thank you for this recipe! This is the first vegan mac & cheese I have tried, and I loved it. I only have been eating vegan WFPB for a month and feel great, these kind of tasty, familiar recipes make it easy to keep going. 🙂 My husband liked it as well and he is a dairy lover.

    Reply

    • Hi Carrie! I’m so glad both you and your husband enjoyed the mac & cheese. I was obsessed with mac & cheese before going vegan so I like to create recipes that are plant-based but still tasty.
      Good luck on your journey! 🙂

      Reply

  27. Where do you get miso paste? I’ve heard that it doesn’t normally bother those with soy intolerance since it is fermented. However, if I want to forgo it, would coconut aminos work? Thanks!

    Reply

    • Hi Kristine! I usually pick up some organic miso at my local health food store or Asian market. If you do have a soy intolerance it might be better to keep it out. The miso adds some “umami” (savory) flavor which I like but isn’t totally necessary. You could do a bit of coconut aminos and/or a touch of salt to replace it. I would do only about 1 TB of coconut aminos instead of 2 TB because you don’t want it get too sweet.
      Let me know if you try it with the coconut aminos and how it works out because I haven’t tried that yet. I hope you enjoy!

      Reply

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