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The Best Vegan Macaroni Cheese Recipe (Baked, Oil-Free)

Name: The Best Vegan Macaroni Cheese Recipe (Baked, Oil-Free)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: English, American
Ingredients: 9 ounces (250 g) uncooked wholemeal (if possible) macaroni, cooked with a pinch of salt and 1/2 vegetable stock cube.; 1 medium onion, chopped fine; Pinch of Himalayan salt; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 cup (120 ml) white wine; 10 1/2 ounces (300 g) mushrooms, diced; 1 tsp mixed Italian herbs, fresh or dried.; Homemade breadcrumbs or shop-bought.; Fresh spinach/broccoli/mixed salad or veggies of choice; 1 can cannelloni or butter beans - drained; 10 1/2 ounces (300 g) sweet potato - boiled to mash - keep the water.; 1 carrot, chopped and boiled; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp Himalayan salt; 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice; 1/4 cup nutritional yeast; 1 tsp Dijon mustard; 1 cup (250 ml) oat milk; 1 cup (250 ml) kept water; Pinch of salt & pepper to taste

Craving a saucy, creamy, and ultra-cheesy bowl of vegan macaroni cheese? Read on for one of the best oil-free, low-calorie recipes you’ve ever tried!

Prep Time: 20 Mins | Cook Time: 20 Mins

Total Time: 40 Mins

Servings: Adjustable

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Imagine returning from a long, tiring day being super hungry and craving something absolutely delicious—and also healthy enough to restore your drained energy levels.

Your exhausted body might convince you to indulge in something quick and easy, like microwaving instant noodles or popping a frozen pizza in the oven.

But what about your over-worked organs screaming for something nutritious? Well, my vegan macaroni cheese recipe is here to take care of those yelps.

Loaded with nutrients, packed with a heavenly taste, and prepared in under 30 minutes, the oil-free, plant-based mac and cheese recipe is the most delectable, wholesome, and scrumptious comfort food you’ve ever tried.

Jump in as we discover a fun and simple recipe!

Why This Recipe Works

Nutritious Comfort Food

Comfort food doesn’t always have to be unhealthy junk—and the vegan macaroni cheese proves it. Prepared with nutrient-dense ingredients, each serving provides a good amount of carbs, protein, and sodium to keep your tummy happy and body healthy.

Mouthwatering Taste

From one cheese lover to another, I’m here to tell you that this macaroni cheese is incredibly cheesy and super delicious. The luscious creamy sauce is filled with a nutty cheddar cheese-like flavour, exuding a rich, comforting aroma and mouthwatering, delicious taste.

Every bite is heavenly bliss. Picture this: the warm cheese sauce melting in the mouth, the soft pasta and velvety cheese sauce coating the tongue, and the striking balance of spices delighting your taste buds—my mouth is watering!

Perfect Balance of Nutrients

Macaroni cheese, when prepared with the right ingredients, serves as a superfood. Here’s how.

Recipe Ingredient Notes

I’ve kept the recipe simple—to satisfy the simple girlies in us. All you need is a handful of pantry ingredients to prepare my restaurant-style vegan mac and cheese recipe.

Ingredients for Mac and Cheese

Uncooked macaroni. Choose wholemeal macaroni if possible.

Onion. Both red and white onions will taste good. Finely chop them before adding.

Himalayan salt. Unlike regular table salt, Himalayan salt provides greater health benefits and has a milder, less harsh salty flavour.

Garlic. Use minced garlic to mix it in seamlessly.

White wine. This ingredient tenderizes proteins in the cheese sauce and cuts through its richness to create the perfect texture.

Mushrooms. You may use any variety available at home. Dice them up into small pieces.

Italian herbs. Both fresh and dry will do the job.

Homemade breadcrumbs or store-bought for the perfect texture. Make sure they are vegan-friendly.

Fresh spinach. Broccoli, mixed salad, or any other veggies of choice can be added. The key is to introduce colour and enhance texture.

Ingredients for Mac and Cheese Vegan Sauce

Cannellini beans. Look for beans that have smooth, shiny skin and no dark or chalky spots.

Sweet potato. Firm, small- to medium-sized sweet potatoes will do good. Tip: To check if the potatoes are fresh, give them a squeeze. It will be firm if fresh and mushy if not.

Carrot. Choose a sweet and tender variety, like baby carrots, Nantes carrots, or rainbow carrots. They are quick to cook and create a better texture.

Onion powder and garlic powder. They enhance flavour and provide depth to the dish.

Himalayan salt to taste.

Fresh lemon juice. You can squeeze it out from fresh lemons or use bottled lemon juice.

Nutritional yeast. Choose an option fortified with additional essential micronutrients, such as B-vitamins, and minerals. Both flakes and powder forms will work.

Dijon mustard. Perfect for a distinct aroma and subtle heat.

Oat milk. You can choose any other plant-based milk. Just make sure to opt for a plain, unsweetened option. Note: Check the ingredient label because some nut milks still contain vanilla flavouring.

Kept water. Add gradually to adjust the consistency.

Salt and pepper to taste.

How To Make The Vegan Mac and Cheese Recipe

The vegan mac and cheese recipe is so simple to prepare, you won’t believe it!

Excited? Me too. Let’s get started.

Prepare the sauce. Start by boiling potatoes and carrots until they are soft.

Fry the onions. I fry the onions while the carrots and potatoes boil. No oil is required; just add a pinch of salt, garlic, and half of the wine (to deglaze the pan). Next, add the mushrooms, continue frying, and deglaze with the rest of the wine. Finally, sprinkle in the herbs and fry until the onions are soft.

Check the potatoes and onions and drain them when soft. Keep the water when straining.

Cook the macaroni in a pinch of salt and vegetable broth.

Turn the oven on to 390 F (200 C) to warm up.

Empty the sauce ingredients into a blender and blend until you achieve a rich, creamy consistency. Add the reserved water (from the potatoes and carrots) bit by bit and pour in some oat milk if required.

Add the ingredients to the oven dish, including the diced mushrooms, the macaroni, and the vegan cheesy sauce. Mix well so all the macaroni is coated in the sauce, and sprinkle the top with breadcrumbs.

Bake for about 20 minutes until heated and brown.

Serve and enjoy!

Delicious, fun, and easy, right?

Variations, Ideas & Notes

While my mac and cheese is a tried, tested, and loved recipe, you can always try some substitutions and variations for a different flavour combination.

For example, you can try a no-oven mac and cheese recipe. All you have to do is cook the macaroni (according to the directions).

Combine cashews, water, lemon juice, dijon mustard, salt, nutritional yeast, and spices into a blender and continue blending until smooth.

Tip: If you don’t have a high-speed blender, soak the cashews to soften them and make blending easier.

When the macaroni is done cooking, combine it in a large pot with the cheesy sauce prepared. Warm it up to fully coat the macaroni, adjust the seasoning, and serve fresh and hot!

Ingredient Substitutions

Quinoa flakes instead of breadcrumbs.
Apple cider vinegar instead of white wine.
Vegan bacon and/or sundried tomatoes instead of mushrooms.

For the macaroni cheese sauce, you can use the low-fat recipe I’ve given above or go for my super creamy vegan cheesy sauce recipe, made with cashew nuts.

Delicious Add-ons

Raw cashews to enhance the cheesy flavour, adding protein and healthy fats.
1 head of broccoli for additional nutrients.
A few green chillies for extra spice.
Smoked tofu for a protein boost.

Pro Tips For The Best Vegan Macaroni Cheese Recipe

You can use any mushroom variety available at home.
The vegan mac and cheese sauce can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge.
While cooking, you can prepare some vegetables or prepare a raw salad. A 30% to 50% ratio of greens/veggies/salads on the plate is an ideal amount to lose weight.
Use fresh herbs and spices, as they add more taste and essential micronutrients. If not available, use dried herbs rather than none.
Cook the macaroni al dente, as it will continue to cook slightly in the oven.
Assemble the vegan macaroni cheese in layers: pasta, sauce, repeat.
For folks who aren’t worried about extra calories, consider mixing the breadcrumbs with melted vegan butter, to give them the perfect crisp and golden-brown colour.
Alternatively, feel free to sprinkle any shop-bought grated vegan cheese of choice over the macaroni instead of breadcrumbs.
Allow the mac and cheese to rest for a few minutes before delving in.
For extra flavour, mouth feel and wow factor (for friends and family, for example) consider drizzling extra virgin olive oil over this dish after serving. Obviously this adds extra calories too, so go easy with this for yourself if your goal is shedding unwanted pounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I meal prep vegan macaroni cheese?

Absolutely; we recommend it! You can prepare the sauce in advance and cook the macaroni before baking. If you’re super short on time, cook the macaroni well beforehand, too.

Layer the macaroni and sauce in a dish, cover with foil, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When ready to bake, add the breadcrumbs and make sure to give an extra 5 minutes of baking time—as the layers are cold.

Can I add veggies to this dish?

Absolutely! Stir in steamed broccoli, spinach, or roasted cauliflower for extra nutrition.

Does vegan cheese macaroni taste cheesy?

Nutritional yeast has a distinct savoury flavour that greatly resembles the creamy, nutty taste of cheese—and when mixed in hot dishes like macaroni cheese, it melts into a rich liquid that introduces the perfect texture without any additional salt, sugar, or unhealthy fats.

So you’re maintaining your fat loss diet while enjoying a scrumptious, nutrient dense and comforting meal!

How long can I store leftovers?

Save your leftover plant-based mac and cheese for the next day—or even the next few days. Yup, the mouthwatering meal can keep its fresh, yummy taste for up to 3 or 4 days!

Just make sure to shift the leftovers into fully sealable glass containers or tightly wrap the baking dish in aluminium foil. You can freeze it too, for up to 3 months!

What to serve the plant-based mac and cheese with?

While mac and cheese is a complete and delectable meal in itself, here are some fun ideas to serve it with.

Vegan garlic bread
Vegan coleslaw
Mixed beans and corn salad
Mixed green salad with cherry tomatoes
Vegan tomato soup
Tangy orange tofu

Final Words

Be it a lunch party with family, a romantic dinner with hubs, or a get-together with friends, the vegan mac and cheese recipe is exactly what you need to spice up the table and cheer up the diners—give it a try and update me how you liked my special low-cal recipe!

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