The Best Vegan Mac & Cheese (2 Ways: Stovetop & Baked!)



🧀 The Best Vegan Mac & Cheese (2 Ways: Stovetop & Baked!)

Total Time: 20–40 mins | Prep: 10 mins | Cook: 10–30 mins | Serves: 6

Mac & cheese is one of those universal comfort foods. Whether you like it creamy and stovetop-easy or baked with that golden crunchy top, this recipe’s got you. It all starts with my dreamy, plant-based cheese sauce—smooth, cheesy, and completely dairy-free. From there, you can go classic stovetop for a quick weeknight win, or bake it up for that Sunday dinner vibe. Either way, your tummy’s about to be real happy.

🛒 Ingredients

For the Pasta & Sauce:

Optional Baked Topping:

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Step 1: Make the Cheese Sauce

  1. Boil potatoes and carrots in salted water until fork-tender (about 10 mins). Drain.

  2. Blend potatoes, carrots, cashews, milk, nutritional yeast, oil, lemon juice, vinegar, and seasonings until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust.

Option 1: Creamy Stovetop Mac & Cheese (20 mins total)

  1. Cook pasta until al dente. Drain.

  2. Return pasta to the pot, pour in the cheese sauce, and stir until every noodle is coated.

  3. Heat on low for 2–3 mins to warm through. Serve hot and creamy.

Option 2: Baked Mac & Cheese with Crispy Top (40 mins total)


  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish.

  2. Cook pasta until just al dente. Drain.

  3. Mix pasta with the cheese sauce and pour into the dish.

  4. In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs, nutritional yeast, oil, garlic powder, paprika, and salt. Sprinkle evenly on top.

  5. Bake uncovered 20–25 mins, until golden brown and crispy.

  6. Cool 5 mins before serving (if you can wait!).

🧠 Mom Tips

  • 🥦 Sneak in veggies—broccoli, peas, or spinach mix in perfectly.

  • 🧑🏽‍🍳 Make-ahead: assemble baked mac the night before, cover, and refrigerate. Bake when ready.

  • 🌶️ Grown-up twist: add cayenne or hot sauce to the cheese sauce for a spicy kick.

🥣 Why I Love It

This recipe is everything I need as a busy mama—it can be fast and simple on a weeknight (hello stovetop version!) or cozy and impressive for guests (that baked topping, though 😍). Plus, it uses pantry basics, keeps my kids happy, and still feels like the comfort food I grew up loving.

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