5 from 204 votes
Vegan Baked Mac and Cheese
This Vegan Baked Mac and Cheese uses a creamy sauce made from vegan butter, flour, nutritional yeast, and turmeric to mimic traditional cheese flavors. Elbow macaroni is cooked and combined with the sauce, then topped with bread crumbs and paprika before baking to create a golden crust. The sauce's use of soy sauce and garlic adds depth, while optional chili flakes provide a gentle heat, making this a comforting plant-based comfort food.
Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
21 mins
Total Time
46 mins
Servings:
6
to 8
Calories:
520 kcal
Course:
Lunch, Dinner
Cuisine:
American
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.
Cup of Yum
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
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%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 to 8
Amount Per Serving
Calories 520
% 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.