Easy Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese
We all know how great Mac & Cheese is, but not everyone is down for dairy. This is an incredible alternative to add to your next dinner or the upcoming holiday menu.
Making Vegan Mac & Cheese
My particular method is simplified with only a few ingredients with thanks to the advancement of vegan products.
The base is a Rue made from Butter, onion, seasonings, milk, plant based cream and cheese. Finish with a mix of Cheese, breadcrumbs and butter to the top, then bake.
Favorite Plant Based Cream
Elmlea carries a plant based heavy cream which is made from vegetable oils and buttermilk blends that gives the sauce extra body and creaminess. To note, if Elmlea is not available in your country, this can also be achieved with standard dairy free milk and more flour.
Picking the Right Vegan Cheese
I personally have had a challenge with finding a brand of cheese that was actually enjoyable. No doubt making vegan cheese at home can be time consuming and use a lot of ingredients so thankfully these products have really come a long way.
Top Choice Cheese
Bute Island Foods carries the best dairy free products. They have everything from cream cheese varieties to block cheese. Their Red Leicester cheese is smooth, melty and without that pungent coconut oil smell.
Second Best
For mere convenience Sainsbury’s carries a variety of Free From products to which I used their White Cheddar, however be warned that unpleasant coconut smell is very strong in their cheeses. With a lot of tweaking I was able to calm this down so you don’t get that super strong scent.
Tips and Tricks
- When making the rue, keep the fire on a medium low temperature so it doesn’t burn or curdle.
- Add the butter for the topping in dollops and allow it to melt into the breadcrumbs and cheese. Once melted it creates a crisp crust on top.
- Use onion powder if you don’t like onions in mac & cheese.
Recommendations
Here are a few other vegan recipes to check out:
- Vegan Sweet Potato Fritters with Roasted Red Pepper Aioli
- The Most Incredible Vegan Shepherd’s Pie
- Crispy Baked Sesame Cauliflower Bites
I’d love to hear from you!
Comment below and let me know what you think! If you decide to make this dish comment below or tag me on Instagram @myeagereats or hashtag #myeagereats.
How to Make Vegan Mac & Cheese
AuthorsefordCategoryAwesome sides, dinner ideas, Holiday Menu, Pasta, pasta, VeganDifficultyBeginnerThis Vegan Mac and Cheese is rich and creamy made with Non Dairy cream, lemon juice, loads of seasonings, a mix of vegan cheeses and baked until golden.
To start, in a fairly large pot add water with a pinch of salt and a drop of oil. Bring to a boil then put in the macaroni and cook until al dente, drain and rest aside.
Next, heat a medium pot adding the butter and finely chopped onions. Once onions have become translucent, turn the heat down to a medium low, pour in the milk, cream and seasonings followed by the lemon juice and cheeses. Stir until sauce thickens then remove from heat.
Preheat the Oven at 350F/150C.
Place Macaroni into your desired baking dish then mix in the cheesy sauce. Top with the mixed cheeses, breadcrumbs and salt then place the butter in pieces along the top.
Finally, Bake until topping is golden brown and slightly crisp.
Ingredients
Directions
To start, in a fairly large pot add water with a pinch of salt and a drop of oil. Bring to a boil then put in the macaroni and cook until al dente, drain and rest aside.
Next, heat a medium pot adding the butter and finely chopped onions. Once onions have become translucent, turn the heat down to a medium low, pour in the milk, cream and seasonings followed by the lemon juice and cheeses. Stir until sauce thickens then remove from heat.
Preheat the Oven at 350F/150C.
Place Macaroni into your desired baking dish then mix in the cheesy sauce. Top with the mixed cheeses, breadcrumbs and salt then place the butter in pieces along the top.
Finally, Bake until topping is golden brown and slightly crisp.
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