Vegan Comfort Food: Baked Mac And Cheese

How to Make Vegan Baked Mac and Cheese

Vegan baked mac and cheese is a delicious, comforting dish that's surprisingly easy to make. It's perfect for those following a plant-based diet or anyone looking for a dairy-free alternative to the classic comfort food. With a creamy, cheesy sauce and a crispy breadcrumb topping, this dish is sure to satisfy your cravings.

Ingredients

For the cheese sauce:

- Vegan butter or oil

- Carrots

- Onion

- Garlic

- Raw cashews (soaked in water)

- Nutritional yeast

- Plant-based milk (e.g. coconut milk, almond milk, or soy milk)

- Spices (e.g. mustard, paprika, nutmeg)

- Lemon juice or lime juice

- Soy sauce, liquid aminos, or tamari

For the pasta:

- Elbow macaroni or similar short pasta shapes (e.g. shells, rotini, cavatappi)

For the breadcrumb topping:

- Breadcrumbs (optional: make your own by blending slices of toasted bread)

- Vegan butter or oil

- Spices (e.g. garlic powder, smoked paprika)

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F/180°C.

2. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions.

3. To make the sauce, sauté carrots, onion, and garlic in vegan butter or oil until tender.

4. Blend the cooked vegetables with soaked cashews, nutritional yeast, plant-based milk, spices, lemon or lime juice, and soy sauce/liquid aminos/tamari until smooth.

5. Combine the cooked pasta and sauce, ensuring all the pasta is coated.

6. Prepare the breadcrumb topping by mixing breadcrumbs with melted vegan butter or oil and spices.

7. Transfer the pasta and sauce mixture to an oven-safe dish, sprinkle with the breadcrumb topping, and bake for about 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

8. Enjoy your delicious, cheesy vegan mac and cheese!

Making a vegan cheese sauce

The key to a good vegan mac and cheese is a delicious, creamy, and stretchy cheese sauce. Here is a simple recipe for a vegan cheese sauce that does not require any blending or food processing.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup (180 ml) coconut milk (canned and full-fat)
• 3 tbsp (20 g) nutritional yeast flakes
• 2 tbsp (15 g) tapioca flour (or arrowroot flour/starch)
• 1/2 tsp sea salt (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 tsp onion powder (optional)
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder (optional)
• Pinch of smoked paprika (optional)

Instructions:

• Add all the ingredients to a saucepan and stir with a whisk until well combined.
• Turn on the heat and bring the mixture to a boil while stirring constantly.
• Let the sauce simmer on low to medium heat for about one minute until it becomes stretchy.

Tips:

• If the sauce turns out too thick, simply add more coconut milk or any other plant-based milk (or even water), up to 1 cup, to adjust the consistency.
• If you don't like the taste of coconut milk, you can use a different plant-based milk such as almond milk or cashew milk. The higher the fat content, the better the sauce will taste.
• Tapioca flour can be purchased at Asian grocery stores, large supermarkets, or online.
• Cornstarch can be used instead of tapioca flour, but the sauce may not be as stretchy.
• The sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days, but the texture may change. To reheat, add a splash of dairy-free milk and warm it up. It tastes best when freshly made.
• To make the sauce more yellow, you can add a pinch of turmeric powder.

Variations:

You can add different spices and herbs to the basic cheese sauce recipe to create different flavors:

• Mustard Sauce: Stir in 2-3 teaspoons of wholegrain mustard along with the cheese.
• Parsley Sauce: Finely chop some parsley (or other fresh herbs like chives, sage, thyme, or basil) and stir through just before serving.
• Creamy Tomato Sauce: Stir in 1-2 tablespoons of sun-dried tomato paste before adding the cheese for a delicious pasta bake.

This vegan cheese sauce is perfect for nachos, pizza, mac and cheese, burgers, pasta bakes, and more!

Preparing the pasta

The pasta is the star of the show in this vegan comfort food classic, so it's important to get it just right. Here's a step-by-step guide to preparing the pasta for your vegan baked mac and cheese:

Choosing the Right Pasta

Start by selecting the right type of pasta. While elbow macaroni is the traditional choice, you can also use other shapes such as shells, rotini, or cavatappi. These shapes hold creamy sauces well and will ensure your mac and cheese has the perfect texture.

Cooking the Pasta

Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. You can do this while preparing the cheese sauce to save time. Be careful not to overcook the pasta, as it will continue to cook in the oven later. Drain the pasta in a colander and set it aside until you're ready to assemble the dish.

Combining the Pasta and Sauce

In a large cast iron skillet or baking dish, combine the cooked pasta with the prepared cheese sauce. Stir well to ensure that all the pasta is evenly coated in the sauce. You can also add any mix-ins at this stage, such as roasted vegetables or vegan bacon bits, if desired.

Topping with Breadcrumbs

To add a crispy, golden topping to your mac and cheese, sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the pasta and sauce mixture. You can use store-bought breadcrumbs or make your own by toasting and blending slices of bread. Drizzle the breadcrumbs with melted vegan butter or oil to help them brown and crisp up during baking.

Baking the Mac and Cheese

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes. Keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn't dry out. For an extra crispy topping, broil the mac and cheese for a few minutes until the breadcrumbs are golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving.

Your vegan baked mac and cheese is now ready to be devoured! Enjoy the creamy, cheesy goodness of this classic comfort food, knowing that it's entirely plant-based and cruelty-free.

Combining the sauce and pasta

Now that you have your sauce ready, it's time to combine it with the pasta. For this recipe, you'll need elbow macaroni, but feel free to use any pasta shape that holds creamy sauces well, such as shells, rotini, or cavatappi. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, making sure not to overcook it. Once it's done, drain the water and give the pasta a quick rinse.

Take your pot of sauce and add the cooked macaroni. Gently toss the pasta with the sauce until it's fully coated. You can use a pair of tongs or a large spoon for this step. Make sure all the pasta is evenly coated to ensure every bite is delicious!

Now, it's time to transfer the saucy pasta to a baking dish. For this recipe, a 9x13 baking dish works well. Spread the pasta and sauce mixture evenly in the dish and smooth out the top. If you want to get fancy, you can use the back of a spoon or a spatula to create some swirls or patterns on top.

At this point, your vegan mac and cheese is almost ready! The final step is to add the breadcrumbs. If you're using store-bought breadcrumbs, simply sprinkle them on top of the pasta until it's evenly covered. If you're making your own breadcrumbs, as described earlier, combine them with some melted vegan butter in a bowl, toss to coat, and then sprinkle them over the pasta.

Your vegan baked mac and cheese is now ready for the oven! Place it in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes. Keep an eye on it, as you don't want it to dry out. You're aiming for a golden brown, crispy topping. If you're using a broiler, you can broil it for a few minutes to get that perfect colour and crispiness.

Once it's done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a bit. This dish is best served warm, so it's a good idea to let it rest for 5-10 minutes before digging in. This will also give the sauce a chance to thicken slightly and make the flavours even more indulgent.

And there you have it! Your vegan baked mac and cheese is ready to be devoured. This dish is sure to impress both vegans and non-vegans alike. It's a comforting, satisfying meal that's perfect for a cosy night in or a potluck with friends. Enjoy the cheesy, saucy goodness!

Adding a topping

The topping is the final touch to your vegan mac and cheese, and there are a few options to choose from.

Breadcrumbs

You can make your own breadcrumbs by toasting slices of white bread and blitzing them in a blender. Then, add some melted vegan butter and toss the crumbs in it. You can also use store-bought breadcrumbs, such as panko breadcrumbs. For a 9x13 baking dish, you'll need about 1 cup of breadcrumbs.

Vegan Cheese

You can also add a top layer of vegan cheese. However, this may result in a lightly crispy cheese layer on top. To avoid this, you can cover the dish with aluminium foil before baking.

Broccoli

For a nutritious upgrade, you can add 1-2 cups of steamed broccoli florets to your mac and cheese.

Mushrooms and Spinach

For an earthy flavor, you can sauté 1-2 cups of sliced mushrooms and fresh spinach each and add them to the dish.

Spicy Vegan Mac and Cheese

For a zesty kick, add 1-2 diced jalapeños or ½-1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to your sauce.

Vegan Mac and Cheese with Caramelized Onions

You can incorporate 1-2 finely sliced and caramelized onions for a touch of natural sweetness and depth.

Mexican-Style Vegan Mac and Cheese

Add 1 cup of diced tomatoes, ½ cup of black beans, and a sprinkle of 1-2 teaspoons of chili powder for a Mexican twist.

Baked Version

If you're opting for the baked version, simply sprinkle your chosen topping over the pasta and bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown and crispy.

Broiling

If you want a golden brown, crispy finish, you can briefly broil the top of your mac and cheese after baking.

Baking

Now that you have your sauce and pasta ready, it's time to bake your vegan mac and cheese! Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F/180°C. This is a common temperature for baking vegan mac and cheese, but do check your specific recipe, as it may vary slightly.

Step 2: Prepare the Baking Dish

Grease an oven-safe baking dish with a bit of vegan butter or oil. You can use a cast iron skillet, a casserole dish, or any other suitable baking dish. Choose a size that will comfortably fit your pasta and sauce mixture.

Step 3: Combine Pasta and Sauce

In your prepared baking dish, combine the cooked pasta and cheese sauce. Stir well to ensure that all the pasta is evenly coated in the sauce. Smooth out the top with a spoon or spatula.

Step 4: Prepare the Breadcrumb Topping (Optional)

If you're adding a crispy breadcrumb topping to your mac and cheese, now is the time to prepare it. Melt some vegan butter and mix it with breadcrumbs, and any desired seasonings like garlic powder or herbs. You can also use olive oil instead of butter. The amount of butter or oil will depend on your personal preference and the quantity of breadcrumbs you're using.

Step 5: Add the Topping to the Pasta

Sprinkle the buttery breadcrumbs over the pasta and sauce mixture. Make sure to cover the entire surface evenly.

Step 6: Bake!

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes. Keep an eye on it to avoid over-baking, as this can dry out your mac and cheese. You want the topping to be golden brown and crispy. Some recipes suggest broiling for a few minutes at the end to achieve the perfect colour and texture.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Remove your baked vegan mac and cheese from the oven and allow it to cool slightly. It will be very hot, so be careful not to burn yourself. Serve it as a main course or a side dish, and enjoy the cheesy, creamy goodness!

Storage and Reheating:

You can store leftover baked vegan mac and cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, simply pop it in the microwave or oven until warmed through. You can also freeze baked vegan mac and cheese for up to 3 months. It's best to thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating for more even heating.

Frequently asked questions