Vegan Baked Mac and Cheese
User Reviews
5
Vegan Baked Mac and Cheese
Description
The Vegan Baked Mac and Cheese transforms cooked pasta with a rich vegan cheese sauce created by first making a roux from vegan butter, onion, and flour. Hot pasta water is gradually whisked in to build a creamy consistency. Flavorful ingredients like nutritional yeast, turmeric for color, soy sauce for umami, garlic, and black pepper enhance the sauce while red chili flakes can add subtle heat. The pasta is coated thoroughly before transferring to a baking dish.
The assembled dish is topped with bread crumbs spiced with paprika, which bake to a golden, crisp layer under the heat. The brief broil after baking intensifies the crispness on top without drying out the sauce. This method results in a casserole with tender macaroni enveloped in a smooth, savory sauce highlighted by a crunchy topping.
This dish can be served as a main or alongside other dishes, providing vegan comfort food that is hearty and flavorful. The recipe notes recommend cooking the pasta al dente to avoid mushiness after baking and adjusting seasoning to taste before combining the pasta and sauce, ensuring the best flavor balance for personal preference.
Ingredients
- 1 macaroni or your favorite pasta, 1-pound package
- ½ cup vegan butter
- ½ yellow onion diced, medium
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 ½ cups pasta water hot
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 garlic minced, cloves
- ¾ teaspoon Turmeric ground
- 1 cup nutritional yeast
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes optional
- ½ cup bread crumbs
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain the cooked pasta over a bowl so that you save the water and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large pot, melt vegan butter over medium heat. Add onions and saute until they become translucent, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the flour and mix until it thickens and becomes a roux. Whisk roux continuously for 3-5 minutes.
- Whisk the pasta water into the roux. Add salt, soy sauce, garlic, turmeric, nutritional yeast, pepper, and chili flakes (if using), and stir until the sauce thickens.
- Stir the cooked pasta into the vegan cheese sauce. Transfer the 'cheesy' pasta into a 9x13-inch casserole dish, add an even layer of bread crumbs, and sprinkle with paprika.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- Turn the oven heat to broil, and broil for 1 minute.
Notes
- Cook pasta al dente to prevent over-softening during baking.
- Reserve pasta cooking water to create the vegan cheese sauce base.
- Choose pasta shapes like macaroni that hold sauce well for best texture.
- Taste and adjust the sauce seasoning before mixing with pasta for preferred flavor balance.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6to 8
Amount Per Serving
Calories 520 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 520kcal | 26% |
| Carbohydrates | 76g | 25% |
| Protein | 17g | 34% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Trans Fat | 3g | 150% |
| Sodium | 913mg | 38% |
| Potassium | 395mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 133IU | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 43mg | 4% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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