Why is boxed mac & cheese so good? Because it's convenient, quick, it patiently waits for you in the cupboard until hunger strikes, and it tastes gooooood. I've miss boxed mac & cheese in my life. Now there are definitely vegan boxed mac & cheese's available in health food store and online, and I've tried a few myself but I was always underwhelmed and thought I could probably do better. And so I did. I played around in my kitchen until I perfected my recipe for Homemade Vegan Mac & Cheese Powder!
How fun is that!? It's all the fun. And it's oh so creamy, cheesy, vegan yummy, pasta perfection. ~drool~
Homemade Vegan Mac & Cheese Powder is super duper easy to make. Just add all the ingredients to a jar and shake. That's it! You can make as much or as little as of this mac and cheese powder as you like, and store it in the cupboard until a vegan mac and cheese craving strikes.
My recipe makes about 1 cup of powder which is enough for 4 cups of uncooked macaroni noodles (about 4 boxes). But feel free to multiply or reduce the recipe as you see fit. Then just store your jar of Homemade Vegan Mac & Cheese Powder in your pantry until ready for use.
Bonus points: my Homemade Vegan Mac & Cheese Powder recipe is completely nut free, soy free, oil-free, and with a gluten-free option. Making this recipe very allergy and whole food plant based friendly (just depending on what flour, plant-based milk, and pasta you choose to use).
The secret ingredient in this recipe is lemon pepper which adds a nice little sharpness to the creamy sauce, which really makes for a cheesy taste. Mix that with cheesy nutritional yeast, flour for thickening and for creaminess, and spices for flavouring and colour. Oooeee is this so simple and SO tasty.
It's convenient, quick, cupboard stable, and it tastes really, really, gooooood!!
Turn the heat back on to medium-high heat and whisk while cooking until the sauce thickens, 2 - 5 minutes. Add the cooked pasta to the pot along with the cheese sauce and stir to combine.
Homemade Vegan Mac & Cheese Powder
Ingredients
To make homemade vegan mac & cheese powder:
- ¾ cup nutritional yeast
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (sub whole wheat or all-purpose gluten-free flour if preferred)
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
To prepare vegan mac & cheese:
- 1 cup uncooked macaroni noodles (gluten-free if preferred)
- ¾ cup plant-based milk (such a s soy or almond)
- ¼ cup prepared Homemade Vegan Mac & Cheese Powder
Instructions
To make the vegan mac & cheese powder:
- Add all of the ingredients to an air-tight container. Stir or shake well to combine. Store in your pantry until needed.
To prepare vegan mac & cheese
- Cook the macaroni noodles according to package directions. Drain and rinse the pasta. Return the pot to the stove (heat off) and pour in the plant-based milk and ¼ cup of Homemade Vegan Mac & Cheese Powder and whisk together. Turn the heat back on to medium-high heat and whisk while cooking until the sauce thickens, 2 - 5 minutes. Add the cooked pasta to the pot along with the cheese sauce and stir to combine.
Nutrition
Bon appetegan!
Sam.
Mark Gailmor says
Sam, I can't remember if I've commented before but I love this recipe. First off, I love that it has no cashews as they are crazy expensive. And you made this recipe affordable for the masses.
Second, I made a few amendments to your recipe. Your recipe was too sweet for my personal taste so I went with 1/2 TB of sugar. Also, I subbed smoked paprika for regular paprika and it adds an extra depth.
Finally, I made one more change. I use a full cup of plant based milk because I like my sauce a little thinner. Even with a cup, it will thicken a bit more once it hits the macaroni.
Anyway, this is a super easy and fun recipe. I buy my nooch online from bulkfoods. This way I can make up a full quart or even half gallon jar and I have enough mac & cheese powder for when I have a craving.
Thanks again for a delightful recipe.
Cheers,
Mark
Julie says
I dont use garlic/onion powders, but fried some along with a small amount of chopped pepper, mushrooms and peas to give it some colour and texture. Sprinkled toasted breadcrumbs with oregano on the top. A great idea to combine all dry ingredients, will use when camping.
Marsha says
I was wondering if I could use almond flour? This looks really good and I have whole wheat flour and know that will thicken the sauce, but I’m not sure about almond flour. I know it’s supposed to be nut free, but I thought almond flour would give it a little richer taste, if you know what I mean. I love the idea about taking it camping!
Jan says
Looks delicious! We can’t have nightshades so would it taste ok without the paprika or is there a substitution you could suggest? Thanks!
Dre says
I'm calculating the calories for fitness reasons but I keep getting 190 calories per serving using the same measurements and ingredients for 4 servicing,
Am I doing this wrong hah?
Patty says
I think it's more like 6 servings - if you add up the ingredients, it's about 1-1/2 cups of powder when combined.
Toni says
So, this is sort of two separate recipes, might be the problem. The 'cheez' powder is first, it makes a bunch, most of which you put into a jar on a pantry shelf for the next four times you make the meal. In order to make the meal itself, you put ONE-QUARTER CUP of the powder into your cooked pasta. Sooo...if you counted the entire 3/4 c nooch, all of the flour and sugar, in your 4 servings, that may be your calorie problem, since most of it gets left in the jar for successive batches. Just guessing, but an easy mistake to make!
Dre says
I understood that part. But thank you
Valerie says
I've tried a lot of vegan mac and cheese recipes over that last 30 years. This one tops them all for ease,quick, tasty, low fat, and all of that. Can't wait to take this one camping. Perfect for that.
Jessica says
I've been making your recipes for a couple years now and I can't believe it's taken me this long to make this. It's delicious and I love that I can just keep it in the pantry for a quick meal. I like to cook broccoli, peas and zucchini to have on the side so I don't feel quite so guilty for inhaling the entire bowl.
Rosanne says
This is amazing. So happy I found you and your so many good new recipes to try. Will make many more of them, and this powder will go into a big big jar in my staple food/ basics pantry!
Sam Turnbull says
Amazing! Enjoy!
Kelly A says
The first time I made this I didn't have lemon pepper, so I subbed lemon juice crystals. Not good. I made this today with lemon pepper and found I had no turmeric, so I omitted it. The color was ok, just not the traditional bright orange. Really good! Not sure it tastes cheesy, but it has a really good flavor. A little salty for my taste, but that could just be me.
Rachael says
I substituted tapioca starch for half the flour. I also added mustard powder. Delicious!
Mike says
Hi Shannon,
I just connected and am going over some of your ideas, and they all look great.
In regards to the Nutritional Yeast you refer to, what do I do if it's not available in my country or at the link you shared anymore ?
Can I use just any yeast ? Like the kind I use for the bread we make ?
Judy H says
Mike, I'm not the author, but I wanted to be sure you receive a reply. Nutritional yeast is not the same as bread yeast. Please don't try to substitute - the result would not be remotely the same.
Mike says
Hi Judy,
Thank you for letting me know.
I have not found Nutritional Yeast at all in any of the stores here in Israel, so I suppose I'll have to find it some other way.
My daughter is asking that I make this for her.
So again, thanks.
Sabine Finney says
In Germany nutritional yeast is called „hefeflocken“ which literally translates to yeast flakes.
Maybe that helps.
Usually it can be found in health Food Stores or supplement stores. I don’t know if that helps. Good luck.
Faith says
You may want to order it. Amazon maybe?
Mike says
Hi, I found it in a vegan store here in the end, so I can now give it a try and see if my daughter likes it or not.
Sarah says
This is the best mac and cheese I've tried. It has become my go to and it's so easy to make!
Jill Ellis says
With the added hot sauce this Mac n cheese is the bomb!!!! I love how healthy all the ingredients are and no butter, oil or nuts are needed! It’s also excellent poured over tofu scramble. This is a new staple in my kitchen, thank you so much for the fantastic recipe!
Claire says
This is the best vegan mac and cheese recipe I've ever tried! The best thing about it is the texture; it's actually creamy like real mac and cheese. Every other recipe I've tried requires blending something, which makes it turn out chunky/grainy. It also doesn't taste too starchy like vegan cheese recipes that use potatoes. And this is also one of the only vegan recipes I've tried that would be easy to just have on hand and whip up whenever. Thank you so much!
Lokesh says
Can't wait to try it! Can I use date sugar instead of white sugar? I want to use a healthier sugar.
Valerie says
I made your mac and cheese recipe exactly as you wrote (sprinkled basil on top) and this was the best tasting melty cheese, Quick & easiest vegan meal I have made. Watching your video helped me shake it more/better, thanks. Looking forward to making this for my non vegan family. Appreciate the recipe, Be well.
Adi Loevsky says
I decided to make an easy mac and cheese tonight and this was amazing! I used spelt flour and it worked great. Topped it with some vegan butter and hot sauce and it was delicious. Will always keep this powder on hand for an easy meal!
Sam Turnbull says
Wonderful!
Kris says
LOVED LOVED them! I subbed coconut oil for the butter on topping but it was soo good! I put them in for 20 minutes my fork came out clean but they were very soft I have to play around with them because they were getting kinda brown ontop but we LOVED them My three year had 3 in one day the hubby loved them and my newly one year old literally took it out my hand and tried to fit the whole thing in her mouth! YUM
Kris says
This was supposed to go on the muffins page some how it got changed ooops!
Sam Turnbull says
Haha! I was wondering. Glad you enjoyed the muffins!
Sean says
We tried this tonight and it was absolutely awesome! I did not use the sugar, and substituted 1tsp of Mustard powder for the lemon pepper and used smoked paprika. We will defiantly go back to this so nice to have a sauce that doesn’t use cashews! Thanks so much!!
Carla says
Oh I’m so going to use those substitutions on my next batch. I’m not a huge fan of the lemon pepper but love mustard and smoked paprika! Thanks for sharing
Amanda says
Girl! You the bomb!
This is delish!
Sam Turnbull says
Haha, glad you enjoyed!
Mark Gailmor says
Have made this mac and cheese powder twice but there was a bit of tweaking that I did, which is normal for a vegan of 32 years. Anyway, I want to share with you what I did. For some reason, the mac and cheese sauce was too sweet. Maybe it was the sugar, but it needed a touch of bitter to balance everything out. The lightbulb went off in my head and I started experimenting. One TB of dry mustard powder balances the sweetness. And yes, it's still awesome. Also, I changed the amount of liquid to a cup. This makes a thinner sauce that is more cheesy. It takes a few extra seconds to thicken but it does thicken nicely.
All in all though, thanks for a great recipe. I like the convenience of making some macaronie and whipping up some vegan cheese sauce in less than ten minutes.
Mark Gailmor says
Have made this mac and cheese powder twice but there was a bit of tweaking that I did, which is normal for a vegan of 32 years. Anyway, I want to share with you what I did. For some reason, the mac and cheese sauce was too sweet. Maybe it was the sugar, but it needed a touch of bitter to balance everything out. The lightbulb went off in my head and I started experimenting. One TB of dry mustard powder balances the sweetness. And yes, it's still awesome. Also, I changed the amount of liquid to a cup. This makes a thinner sauce that is more cheesy. It takes a few extra seconds to thicken but it does thicken nicely.
All in all though, thanks for a great recipe. I like the convenience of making some macaronie and whipping up some vegan cheese sauce in less than ten minutes.
Debbie says
So Absolutely Good !!!
Sam Turnbull says
Yay!
Jennifer says
Hi Sam - Putting this together but have a question: Is the paprika smoked or sweet?
Thanks!
Jennifer
Sam Turnbull says
Sweet. If you want a smoky mac and cheese tho, you could sub smoked 🙂
Jennifer says
Thanks Sam! Can't wait to try!
Cheers,
Jennifer
sue says
Made the powder and was thrilled with the resulting supper! Great recipe. Thank you!
Sam Turnbull says
Wonderful!
Yael says
The perfect thing to have on hand in the pantry! So easy to put together & then make. Really tasty and reheats well, with the addition of a bit of liquid.
Thank you for the recipe!
*I made it gluten free with Bob’s Mill AP flour.
Sam Turnbull says
Amazing! So happy you loved it 🙂
Vanessa says
Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?
Sam Turnbull says
Yep it should store in the pantry for about a year
Suzanne says
This looks so good! It would be a fun gift to give a vegan friend too!
Sam Turnbull says
Absolutely!
Karen says
This was surprisingly good! A definite keeper. I didn't have lemon pepper so I omitted it but think I'll add it to my shopping list for next time and maybe add some mustard powder (but I'm not sure how much). Have you used this sauce on anything else, like nachos?
Sam Turnbull says
That's great, Karen! Yes you can use it on nachos, baked potatoes, anywhere you like 🙂
EM says
Can you omit the sugar or replace with something else?
Thank you very much!
EM
Sam Turnbull says
Yes you can! Go for it, either one 🙂
Holly says
OMG! This is amazing!!
There should be an award out there for people like you... This recipe is pure genius!
Easy, convenient, tasty- it just works!
Btw- a tip for people like me, too lazy to take out a pot once they have the powder- you can mix the milk & powder and heat it in the microwave in 30 second increments until thick- and it still works! 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
Haha! Thank you so much, Holly! Actually, I'm currently nominated as one of the best vegan blogs by VegNews, you can vote for me here if you want 🙂 Thrilled you enjoyed the recipe so much!
Emma says
Excellent! I love that you can just have it on hands in the pantry for the next mac and cheese craving.
Sam Turnbull says
So happy you enjoyed, Emma!
Nikki says
Incredible! My family has been enjoying the carrot/potato recipes for mac'n'cheese for years now, but I've gotten pretty tired of having to chop and cook them and then deal with the extra dishes those recipes require (peeler, chopping board, knife, blender). 😛 This is so simple and a truly magical addition to my pantry. And so affordable, too! Definitely a new staple here. Thanks so much! <3
Sam Turnbull says
Aww that's wonderful! Thrilled you love it, Nikki 🙂
Sonya says
This sounds really good. Im lactose intolerant and this is virtually fat free. Thank you
Sam Turnbull says
You're most welcome 🙂
Amanda says
I’ve made this many times and always enjoy it. I went to make it tonight and couldn’t find my lemon pepper but decided to try it without it anyways and it was still super delicious! I also don’t add the salt as I try to eat very little sodium and just add a bit to the finished dish. I love how versatile this is as you can add vegan cheese on top, bake it with breadcrumbs on top, add veggies or vegan ground “beef”. Thanks for this recipe Sam, you never disappoint!
Sam Turnbull says
Thrilled you enjoyed it, Amanda 🙂
Ashley says
I thought this was good! My 4 year old proclaimed after first bite, "This tastes weird!" I think it's a little nutritional yeast-forward on the flavor, which I'm usually not a fan of and may be why she didn't care for it. She was slow to eat it and 2 year old scarfed it down. I think it's a great quick recipe when I don't have time to make our usual cheese sauce and hopefully 4 year old will come to like it.
Anjie says
This is my go to recipe for just about anything requiring a cheese sauce or cheese flavor. My husband and I love it. We both have started cutting out dairy from out diet. So thanks Sam for sharing!!!
Sam Turnbull says
That's wonderful, Anjie! Thrilled you enjoyed it.
Lynn says
Hi Sam! Happy eater over here! 🙂 Newly vegan, the first time I made this accidentally with sweetened almond milk. Oooops! The second time I was more careful. I tried to use your spice mix to replicate what I suspect is the original mac & cheese that we eat here in Italy - just butter or olive oil and parmesan. So I just sauteed your spice mix with a little water, olive oil and vegan butter. Simple, fast, savory, easy BLISS. Next level challenge: I'll test it with my little son who's born and raised Italian...he doesn't even like the boxed Kraft mix... but I really think he'll like this. Keep you posted! And thank you for your brilliant and creative recipes! <3
Sam Turnbull says
So happy you enjoyed it Lynn and congrats on your new veganism 🙂
Sam says
Hey Sam. Love this recipe! Convenient AND delicious! I have a mac n’cheese event (yah, I know) at the office and I’m wondering if I can make it completely the morning of and bring it to work in a casserole dish to reheat. Do you think it’ll dry out if it isn’t made right before serving? Know anyone who has tried it? I won’t have access to full kitchen. Any tips are appreciated! Thanks.
Sam Turnbull says
You can but I would make sure the pasta is al dente so it doesn't over cook when heated, and you might need to add an extra splash of non-dairy milk. Enjoy!
Sarah says
This is awesome and super easy! Best vegan Mac n cheese I’ve tried! Thank you!
Sam Turnbull says
You're most welcome 🙂
Heather says
What brand nutritional yeast do you use? The one I picked on Amazon I think hasn't been a great choice. It has a very strong smell and distinct flavor my family can't seem to get past.
sarah says
Hi Heather,
I'm using Red Star nutritional yeast (Amazon). 🙂
CK says
Braggs is much better in quality and taste. Plus RedStar puts less Nooch inside the bottle than they claim on the front of the bottle. I switched from RedStar to Braggs and and am quite happy with the change
Carlie Alvarez says
Great Recipe Thank You!!!!
I am a vegan teenager and needed some mac and cheese its been so long!!!
Been vegan for 5 months and this makes me like vegan even more!
Sam Turnbull says
Amazing!! Congrats on 5 months, Carlie 🙂
Carlie says
Thank you!
Shar Lise says
Yum! I'm eating it now. Next batch I'll roll back the onion and garlic powder and use a dry soup bullion instead.. I added a bit of mustard powder as another person mentioned and I also added a glob of vegan mayo to make it really creamy.
Thanks for the great recipe!
Sam Turnbull says
You're most welcome! SO happy you enjoyed 🙂
Lauren Harvey says
THE BEST. The first time I made this I told my husband "I'm making vegan mac n cheeze, do you want some" and he said no. Then I made it. And he tried it. And ate all of it!
Seriously, I always keep a batch of this in my pantry. I make it 2-3x the recipe so I always can have it on hand. I put it in everything! Sometimes I just make the cheezy sauce according to the recipe and add it to different dishes.
Recently, I baked a spaghetti squash and made this cheezy sauce for it. SO DELICIOUS.
I can't give this recipe enough stars. This website is full of vegan magic but this one might be the top of the list.
YUM.
Sam Turnbull says
Hahaha! Love that story! Thanks so much for the rave review, Lauren 🙂
Mary says
I haven’t found a recipes for Mac and cheeze that I like. This one is out of this world delicious. So easy too. Thank you. No carrots or potatoes involved. Yay!
Sam Turnbull says
Haha! You're most welcome, Mary! Carrots and potatoes don't taste like cheese to me... haha
Garrett says
I seriously don't know how you do it. This isn't just the best mac and cheese for vegans; it's one of the best mac and cheese recipes all around. I've made it twice. It's super easy and consistently great. Thank you so much.
Also, pro tip: it makes a great sauce for cheddar broccoli also!
Sam Turnbull says
Aww melt my heart! So happy to hear you love it, Garrett. And I love the broccoli idea 😉
Kristin says
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! My super picky, 4 year-old dairy allergy child can finally have Mac and Cheese again! She hasn't had any in two years since her diagnosis and tonight I made this and she LOVED it! It's so simple and easy to keep on hand.
Sam Turnbull says
Aww that's so awesome, Kristin!! All of my recipes are 100% dairy-free so I hope you and your daughter will enjoy many more 🙂
Shauna says
Just made this for the first time last night. It’s definitely my new go-to vegan Mac and cheese recipe. It was so good, my four-year-old twin boys gobbled it up! Thanks for helping to make my life a little easier and a lot more delicious
Sam Turnbull says
You're most welcome, Shauna! I'm so happy everyone enjoyed it 🙂
Tammy says
I am new to plant based. This is a great recipe. Cant wait to try more of your dishes. Thank you.
Sam Turnbull says
Thank you so much, Tammy! Thrilled you love it and congrats on your new plant-based lifestyle 🙂
Cathy L Ballenger-Apolo says
Hi! I haven't tried your recipe yet, but I was just wondering if you've ever made it with any alternative flour sources such as coconut, almond, etc?
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Cathy! I haven't but as the flour is just for thickening the sauce, any flour that has that ability should work just fine. Enjoy!
Sophia says
OMG!! Just made this and I’m in love! Definitely will be a weekly dish!! Thank you so much ❤️
Sam Turnbull says
So happy to hear that, Sophia! Glad it's a new fave for you 🙂
Laura says
Very tasty... added a little vegan cheese and some vegan worcester sauce.. next time I will omit the sugar! I really liked this and will make it again! Thankyou!
Sam Turnbull says
Glad you enjoyed 🙂
Jenn A. says
My 4 year old son just ate this & he is the pickiest eater. I am impressed! I definitely plan to have a jar of this on hand at all times. Great recipe!
Sam Turnbull says
So happy you loved it, Jenn 🙂
Katie says
Is the lemon pepper a must? I don’t have any and I’m craving Mac and cheese!
Sam Turnbull says
The lemon pepper adds that tang that makes it taste like cheese. If you don't have any you could add a squeeze of lemon when preparing the mac and cheese and that should help. Enjoy!
Vivian says
I made this recipe and it's so good! So easy and tasty, I totally imagine myself bringing this to my future camping trips! So so worth trying!
Vivian says
Oh and I added 1 tbsp vegan butter to replicate the full boxed mac and cheese experience.
Sam Turnbull says
Wonderful! So thrilled you loved it, Vivian 🙂
Nicole Carpiniello says
Don't waste your money on processed vegan mac & cheese in a box! This recipe is literally PERFECT and that's without lemon pepper! I added 1/2 tbsp of vegan butter spread as well because I wanted to be able to compare to boxed mac & cheese. Bottom line, I am so excited about this recipe! 🙂
If you are new to itdoesnttastelikechicken.com, you hit the jackpot! Every recipe is amazing!! 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
Awww shucks, thank you so much, Nicole!! Thrilled you are enjoying my recipes so much 🙂
Christy says
I’ve eaten a whole food plant based diet for over seven years, so it’s not very often a recipe impresses me. But this one does. With two little kids, the convenience of this is perfect. Note, if you use a sweetened plant milk you will want to cut back on the sugar. And if you happen to keep powdered vinegar in the house (I use it on popcorn), add some; it will give the cheese a sharper flavor.
Sam Turnbull says
So happy you it impressed you, Christy! I've never even heard of powdered vinegar! I will have to keep an eye out for that 🙂
Jamie says
This recipe helped me quit cheese for good back in December—I love it, thank you!!
Sam Turnbull says
Yay!! I love that!
Jovana says
I love vegan cheese sauces and I've had a few that taste like the real thing. I decided to make this because I wanted to have something in the house that will allow me to make an easy meal if I came home late and was famished.
This has saved me a few times. It's not the best cheese sauce when made but it tastes delish! While I cook pasta, I steam some veggies and dinner is done in 10 minutes.
Got home at 8pm today exhausted and I was so happy when I realized I had some of this powder left! Thank you for this shelf stable deliciousness.
Sam Turnbull says
Glad you enjoyed.
Regina says
I just have one question...what is this gypsy magic?! I’m not a vegan, but my fiancée can’t have dairy right now so I’ve been trying to find some good recipes for comfort food for him until he gets better...I haven’t actually fed him this yet, I literally just took it off the stove and took a bite and all I can say is WOW. 10/10. Can’t wait to make it again!!!
Sam Turnbull says
Hahahahaha! Love it!! So thrilled you enjoyed some vegan magic, Regina! 🙂
Kimberly says
This reminds me more of a cheesy pasta sauce versus a Mac and cheese sauce, but either way I've made it twice in the past three days and I can't stop eating it. My boyfriend was skeptical of trying it, but he's finished my Mac both nights!
Sam Turnbull says
Hahaha, as long as you enjoy it that's all that matters 🙂
Tonya Welton says
I gave up white sugar ages ago, so I used coconut sugar. I gave up white flour so I used coconut flour. I used dried onions as I didn't have onion powder. Real garlic too. And canned coconut milk. Once all mixed, I used a can of carrots and peas, mixed it, and put it all in a casserole baking dish. Sprinkled italian bread crumbs over it, and baked it for 2o minutes. Delicious!!!!!
Tonya Welton says
I'm also a new vegetarian so this was awesome!!!
Sam Turnbull says
Thrilled you enjoyed!
Rita Simao says
Hi Sam I was wondering if I could substitute the all purpose flower for tapioca starch to make it more stringy. And about the mesurments would half and half suffice? More, less?
Thank you 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Rita, yes you could sub the tapioca if you prefer. I imagine those measurements would be about right. Enjoy!
Kathryn says
I'd like to make this but I don't use white sugar anymore, can you please tell me if you think it would be ok to sub muscavado sugar? Thanks in advance!
Sam Turnbull says
I've never used muscovado sugar, so I'm afraid I don't know, but I am sure any powdered sugar substitute should work well here. Enjoy!
Tonya Welton says
try coconut sugar
@plantbasedcookin says
Seriously good!!!! I tweaked the recipe a bit to add some extra spice but the original is just as good! It’s my go to weeknight meal if I’m feeling lazy! I love me a comforting bowl of Mac and Cheese and even better love how I don’t have to empty my oven to make it!! lol This stove top Mac and Cheese powder is now a staple in my household!!!
Sam Turnbull says
Wonderful! So happy it's become a staple for you 🙂
Shenoa says
The first time I made this I was so disappointed, then I realized I'd read the recipe wrong and used 2x the pasta. Tried it again (properly this time) and loved it! Thanks for sharing.
Sam Turnbull says
Oh good! Glad you loved it so much! 🙂
Shawna says
Thank you so much! I was out of lemon pepper, so added half black pepper and then a half lemon before serving. This is really good! It will be a great thing to take on camping trips this summer! An added thank you for keeping this recipe nut-free.
Sam Turnbull says
You're most welcome, Shawna! Thrilled you loved it so much 🙂
Kathalia M.I. says
OMG, THIS IS SO BOMB! Here are a few modifications I made to adjust to my palette based on my experiences making things taste cheesy:
1) I used chickpea flour instead of AP. It adds color, protein, and has a very distinct flavor.
2) No sweetener just because I don't feel it needs it.
3) When cooking the pasta, cook in unsweetened milk. This creates a creamy base and retaining the pasta water keeps the starch that thickens the sauce further. This also means you need less powder mix to achieve the desired consistency so more bang for your buck.
4) Add some color. Throw in some cherry tomatoes and chopped broccoli. Tomatoes add umami.
5) When making the pasta sauce, season at this stage of cooking too! I use the slightest hint of marmite and doenjang (fermented soybean paste). You could possibly alternatively use a bit of unsweetened non-dairy cultured yogurt. Using something that has been fermented adds both umami to the dish and that characteristic "funk" of cheese. It hits all the right flavor notes this way. Trust me. And if you're hesitant about using such powerful seasonings, think about nutrition labels for packaged cheesy products. Guess what's on there? YEAST EXTRACT. Add 1/4tsp per serving to start and adjust to preference.
THANKS SAM! This will be a new staple now that I'm finishing up my last semester!
Sam Turnbull says
Glad you enjoyed it, Kathalia!
Nan West says
for me!! This is incredibly yummy and yes it tastes like chicken!! I made this for my picky eater kid, like SUPER picky, but he eat this with no fuss!
Sam Turnbull says
Wonderful! So happy you enjoyed it, Nan 🙂
Laura says
I just made this-- it is FABULOUS. I don't think I need another mac and cheese recipe in my life ever again.
That said, I made a few changes to mine:
- Added 1 Tbsp mustard powder
- Omitted the sugar
- Used smoked paprika
I am very happy with this recipe. Thank you!!
Sam Turnbull says
So happy you loved it so much, Laura!! 🙂
Marilyn Lauzon says
This recipe is a real game changer! It's so perfect for those days where I feel lazy or depressed! Thank you so much, Sam! I'll talk about your website on my german Instagram soon! (@veganleben_mit_marilyn)
Sam Turnbull says
Aww wonderful, thank you! SO happy you loved the recipe, Marilyn 🙂
Samantha P. says
This is the 2nd recipe that I have made from your site, and it's just as impressive as the 1st one I tried (the tofu bites that taste like fried chicken). Honestly, I'm just going to purchase your cookbook. You have worked so hard on these recipes and put so much love into it, that I feel guilty just taking the recipes off the internet. We have so many vegan and vegan friendly restaurants in Chicago (shout out to Chicago Diner, Native Foods, Ground Control, and Handlebar!) and I can honestly say that what I have made from your site is equal to, or better than the restaurants that I regularly go to. Keep it up!!
Sam Turnbull says
Aww shucks, thanks so much, Samantha! (Great name by the way 😉 ). Please do not feel bad for using the free recipes on my site, I earn income from the ads that are on the site so it's all good! That said, if you do wish to purchase my cookbook, I hope you love it as much as you love the recipes you have tried so far. I'm sure you will! I appreciate the support 🙂
Teresa says
Hi, I know own this comment is a little off base, but I'm travelling to LA and san Francisco later this year from ireland, and just wondering if anyone can recommend any vegan eaterys? We're staying in the city in both places.
Great recipe by the way Sam.
Sandra Marcus says
I'm sorry this is too late for the California visit. There's an app called Happy Cow that will give you vegan restaurants near your location and it's good internationally.
Lisa says
I am so grateful for this recipe. I can treat myself to a large, beautiful bowl of cheesy goodness (and I always add smartdogs, broccoli and/or greens) without the binge I can never avoid when making a box. You are helping me on my journey of health. It is such a delicious, easy recipe. Thank you!!
Sam Turnbull says
Oh that's so awesome, Lisa! So happy you are enjoying my recipes so much 🙂
Maria says
My boyfriend and I didn't like it at all. I made a huge batch and couldn't even eat it. I found it didn't taste like cheese sauce even remotely, and I was so excited to try it.
Sam Turnbull says
I'm sorry you didn't enjoy the recipe.
Marge Teilhaber says
Very gracious of you to answer Maria's useless comment. How about what exactly made it so bad for her and the boyfriend? Was it an ingredient? Something!
Greyson says
I made this today and wow. It honestly blew my mind. I’ve tried every Mac and cheese recipe known to man, but they’ve all just been “okay.” Cauliflower, cashew, you name it. Unfortunately I didn’t have any paprika on hand, but I was really anxious to try this, so I just omitted it. I wanted SOME kick to it though so I added about a teaspoon of crushed red pepper. I’m definitely going to try it with the paprika next time, though. Also, I added a bit more salt, as well as a few squirts of mustard for a more cheesy twang (I would’ve put mustard powder in the powder mix but I’m also out of that.. lol). Overall, this recipe is really good and also very easy, and by far better than any vegan Mac I’ve ever tried. Kudos to you!
Sam Turnbull says
That's wonderful, Greyson! So happy you found the vegan mac & cheese recipe that you love!!
Becca says
Hey.. how much of the powder is 1 serving for 84 calories and does that include the milk?
Sam Turnbull says
About 1/4 cup of the powder is 84 calories. The macaroni and non-dairy milk will add more depending on the type you use. Enjoy!
Lauren says
This stuff is SO. GOOD. I'll admit I was skeptical but it's magic. The consistency is like mac n cheese. I also like to mix some vegan pesto from Trader Joes in with it for cheesy pesto sauce. Makes last minute dinner a breeze. Love it. Thank you for sharing!
Sam Turnbull says
You're most welcome! Thrilled you love it so much, Lauren 🙂
Kate says
Could I use oat milk when making up the sauce, or would it congeal? I just discovered this recipe and want to try it tonight, but I don't have any soy milk or almond milk on hand. Thanks!
Sam Turnbull says
Any non-dairy milk you like will work just fine. Enjoy!
Traci says
Amazing recipe! I have finally found the best Mac and Cheese recipe! Thank you!
Sam Turnbull says
Woot woot!! Thrilled you loved it so much 🙂
Chandos K says
Okay so I ADORE how easy it is and the flavor is spot on! Just one hitch, mine keeps coming out a bit gritty. Thoughts? Thank you!
Sam Turnbull says
Hmm there is nothing in this recipe that is gritty... unless some of your spices are in large chunks? You could try tossing the mix in a coffee grinder to make it into a finer powder. Hope that helps!
Amy says
Gah I don’t have tumeric. Is it for colour or flavour??????
P.s Adore you Sam!
Sam Turnbull says
Colour 🙂 Thank you!!!
Melanie says
This is wonderful! I'm not vegan, but I am dairy free and gluten free. I made a huge batch (4x) of this for Thanksging tomorrow. I ate a huge bowl right out of the pan. The rest is in a casserole dish topped with vegan cheese ready to be baked and broiled. So good. Thank you!
Sam Turnbull says
Oh yum!!!! Now I want that! Thrilled you love it so much, Melanie 🙂
Melanie says
I continue to make this again and again. I'm doing vegan Fridays for lent and I knew this dish had to be in the roundup. I make a big batch of the powder and keep it in a mason jar with the recipe taped to the side. I like to add veggies and a glob of vegan butter. Thanks again!
Sam Turnbull says
Amazing!! Thrilled it's such a hit, Melanie 🙂
Aliyah says
Omg.......this was sooooo good.....I substituted the regular paprika for smoked and it was over the top.....I made it yesterday and again today......it was actually so easy I took the ingredients with me to work and made it at work ......I am going to make this for thanksgiving also
It reminded me of making Kraft Mac n cheese which I haven't had in 20 years....I love recipes that are simple and economical so ill be making more of your recipes
Sam Turnbull says
That's awesome, Aliyah! Thrilled you are enjoying my recipes so much 🙂
Yvonne says
I've been craving mac+cheese for months and since I don't eat cashews, I thought my craving would be just that, a craving! I searched out your recipe and although skeptical gave it a try. Man, I'm so glad I tried it because it was freaking delicious! I love that I have extra "cheese" powder on hand for when the craving hits again!! Thanks for sharing this amazing
Sam Turnbull says
You're most welcome, Yvonne! Thrilled you were able to enjoy a cashew-free vegan mac and cheese!
Todd says
We made this tonight, it was pretty good but next time I'm going to add some BBQ spices, I think that will really make it fantastic.
We really wanted it to taste like real mac and cheese and while it was good, I would not say it has a very cheesy taste like the real thing.
Sam Turnbull says
BBq mac and cheese, sounds good!
Jake says
I made this tonight! I cannot recommend this enough. I bought a mason jar at the grocery store, so I could store it. Followed the exact recipe as listed. Thank you so much! 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
You're most welcome, Jake 🙂
DJ says
Vegan mac & cheese is one of my favorite go-to comfort foods, thanks for making it so simple!
Sam Turnbull says
You're most welcome, DJ
hannah says
do you Think i could use Brown sugar or date sweetener instead of the white sugar? 🙂
Cap'n Dave says
I was thinking the same, but using raw cane sugar. I don't see why not, really.
Sam Turnbull says
Sure!
John says
This turned out pretty good! Thanks!
Sam Turnbull says
You're welcome!
Jennifer says
Eating this now and it is sooo good! I used cassava flour and it seemed to work well. This is great for those comfort food craving nights! Thanks for the recipe... cant wait to try your other ones!
Sam Turnbull says
Yay! Thrilled you are loving it so much, Jennifer 🙂
Katy says
I love this! I made it for the first time last Tuesday and ended up making it again on Saturday 😀 so delicious! I added leeks, broccoli and vegan bacon bits to ours and ended up making a double batch of the mix to keep me going!
Sam Turnbull says
Woohoo!!! Thrilled you loved it so much, Katy 🙂
Kyla says
This was so quick and easy! My husband was wary because we went to an expensive all vegan restaurant in Kansas City last month and their mac and cheese was just ok. He took a bite of this and went this is way better! I love the convenience that you can make most of it ahead of time so you can always have it fresh! Thanks for the awesome recipe!
Sam Turnbull says
Haha! I love that story!! Thrilled you and your husband love it so much, Kyla 🙂
Leanna says
Excellent! This is SO much better than boxed mac & cheese - hands down. In fact, it's even better than some of the "real" mac & cheese I've had during my pre-vegan days. Well done!
Sam Turnbull says
Woohoo!! Love it 🙂
patricia says
a superfast, tasty recipe! we buy shaped pasta like farfalle and rotini in bulk to avoid unnecessary packaging. this recipe makes it as easy for the kids to make mac and cheese as making it from a box. thanks!
Sam Turnbull says
Thrilled you enjoy it, Patricia 🙂
Brigitte says
Sam you are the best vegan cook!!! I followed the recipe and I didn’t change anything , it’s the easiest, fastest mac&cheese i have ever made . I am not totally vegan because of my husband but everything I can cook with no dairy , cheese or milk I do . Next time I will add sauteed vegetables , my husband said it’s good , it’s different he didn’t even know there wasn’t any cheese!! Thanks for a quick weekday meal.....when you have nothing in the fridge .
Sam Turnbull says
Thank you so much, Brigitte!! Thrilled you and your husband enjoyed it so much 🙂
Meghan says
This is absolutely brilliant! Can't wait to try 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
Thank you, Meghan!
Abbey says
Do you think almond flour would work? I never have gluten free flour on hand and I'm dying to try this recipe!!
Sam Turnbull says
Yes, almond flour should work well. Enjoy!
Ali says
Great, EASY recipe! Was craving something filling and comforting and fast! Used potato flour and coconut milk and added tons of veggies. Soooooo good! Thanks.
Sam Turnbull says
Awesome! So happy you enjoyed it, Ali 🙂
Deanna says
Thank you for sharing this recipe! It was so good and satisfied our mac & cheese cravings.
Sam Turnbull says
Wonderful!!! So happy you loved it, Deanna 🙂
Cat says
If I wanted to bake the mac and cheese in the oven with breadcrumbs what temp/time would you recommend? Would I have to prep the dish or add any other ingredients to bake it?
Sam Turnbull says
I haven't tried that myself, but I would say probably 350F until the breadcrumbs are toasted. Enjoy!
April says
Is the sugar crucial? I feel like cheese powder should be as savory / zingy as possible and it just seems a bit odd. But I'm a total n00b so i could be totally wrong lol
Sam Turnbull says
I think adding the sugar makes it taste just right. 🙂
Liz says
This is genius! Finally tried it today and so glad I did. Thanks Sam! Btw, I sprinkled a half teaspoon of tomato powder instead of ketchup. Yum!
Sam Turnbull says
So very happy you love it, Liz 😉
DocSiders says
I've tried lots of vegan Mac-n-Cheese recipes. This is the first and only one that is more satisfying ...and tasty... than the "real thing"..
Thanks so much... I've missed this quickie staple.
DocSiders says
This cheesy sauce is going on EVERYTHING !!.
Sam Turnbull says
Wow that's so awesome!!! SO very happy you loved it so much 🙂
Jerusha Borden says
Oh my gosh. This is SO.DANG.GOOD. I've been a vegetarian for a decade, tried to switch to vegan about two years ago but got discouraged because the vegan cheese was less than stellar (maybe there are better brands, but in this part of the East Coast all I could find was Daiya). Two weeks ago, I decided to try again and on my first day discovered your site, watched some of your videos, bought your cookbook and tried all your cheeeese. And they're all so yummy and satisfy. Not looking back!! Thank you!!
Sam Turnbull says
Oh wow!!! Melt my vegan cheesy heart!! I'm so thrilled you are enjoying my cheese recipes so much. That's so incredibly awesome that you're sticking to veganism this time!! Let me know if you ever have any recipe requests, questions, or need any support 🙂
Debbie says
I've bought your cookbooks and I'm your biggest fan. I've made most of your recipes but this one is the BEST! It's so easy! I never thought I would get an easy Mac and cheze that I would love. Thank you!
Sam Turnbull says
Thank you so much for all of your support, Debbie! I'm so happy that I'm able to continue to wow you! 🙂
Lia says
What brand of lemon pepper do you use?
Sam Turnbull says
I don't have a preference but I currently have Presidents Choice brand which is a Canadian grocery story brand.
Wendy says
Omg I’ve made this for my lunch three days in a row now, it’s incredible! Ketchup for the win
Sam Turnbull says
Haha, that's awesome, Wendy. Yay ketchup!
DocSiders says
Oh, YES...KETCHUP !!
Evie says
Hi,
Any ideas for a substitution for the all purpose flour? I have oat flour, tapioca flour and buckwheat flour but I’m not sure how any of them will react.
Sam Turnbull says
I'm not an expert in gluten-free but out of those, I would go for oat flour. Enjoy!
Amanda says
I'm gluten free and used Trader Joe's all purpose flour. This turned out to be the best vegan mac n cheese I've ever had. Yum! I think the tapioca flour that is in TJ all purpose makes this mac n cheese gooey and stretchy so I would use it even if I wasn't gluten free.
Sam Turnbull says
That's great to know, thanks for sharing, Amanda 🙂
Renee Roberts says
Love this. You topped with ketchup. Not weird. I topped mine with vegan ranch and also sriracha 😉
Sam Turnbull says
Haha! Love it 🙂
Molly Drožda says
BAM! The comfort food of my childhood that I can be happy to eat as a more ethically aware adult. Thank you so much, Sam. I had some tapioca powder to increase the factor. I am really happy to have a jar of this in my pantry. It even makes cauliflower, when subbed in for the noodles, taste good.
Sam Turnbull says
So happy you love it!! 🙂
Caroline P says
I added a teaspoon of dry Mustard powder - it intensifies the cheesy bite.
Sam Turnbull says
Glad you enjoyed!
Marcelle says
Hi,
Quick question. Making your mac&cheese right now and I’m feeling that 1/4 cup of the powder for 1 cup maceroni seems a too small amount?! Am I wrong?
Sam Turnbull says
The measurements are correct as written. Enjoy!
Renee says
This is fantastic!! I made with almond milk. It was great. Just wondering if you have a preferred non dairy milk for this recipe. And yes please to a second book!!
Sam Turnbull says
Haha, thank you! My go-to non-dairy milk for everything is always soy (unless I specify). It's just my fave. But if you don't like soy then I wouldn't recommend it! Haha.
Jillian says
I made this for dinner twice this week! The first time I followed your recipe exactly. The second time I decided to add a little more nutritional yeast and a sprinkle of cumin, which I think made it even better! Thanks for the recipe- it's so quick and easy!
Sam Turnbull says
Glad you enjoyed
Martha ^..^ says
Do you think this would work with almond flour? I'm doing vegan keto but I reaaaaally want to try this over zoodles!
Sam Turnbull says
I believe it should work fine. Enjoy!
Beth Rideout says
Thank you so much Sam!!! My hubby and I have been desperate for some quick, tasty, warm go-to lunches and you nailed it!!! So yummy - I can see it being a new staple in our kitchen. Cheers from BC!
Sam Turnbull says
Wonderful!! So thrilled you loved it so much, Beth 🙂
Katie @ Produce on Parade says
You are such a genius, Sam! I am so excited to try this!!!
Sam Turnbull says
Aww thank you so much!
Joanna says
I can't believe how delicious this mac sauce is! The first batch I used liquid plant based milk. The next batch I decided to test out dehydrated plant based milk. Both worked great! All set to have mac and cheese on my next backcountry hiking trip! Thanks so much for the creative recipes!
Sam Turnbull says
Oh what a great hiking food idea!! So happy you enjoyed it so much, Joanna!
Miranda says
Yum! I’d love to see this adapted to do a single serve microwave/ Easy Mac style portion.
Sam Turnbull says
Hmmm.... I must get a microwave one day...
Madison says
I just made this and it's definitely the best vegan mac & cheese I've made and it's so easy! Even my picky fiance enjoyed it. It's also less calories & way more filling than boxed mac, plus it has good ingredients, so overall, this one's a winner. Thanks for making such an awesome recipe!
Sam Turnbull says
That's so awesome, I'm so thrilled you enjoyed it so much, Madison!!
Karen says
Hi Sam,
Just last week I made a batch of Miyoko’s “well-crafted mac and cheese mix.” It was okay, not mind blowing but not awful. Hers has cashews, so it’s not shelf stable. I’m eager to try yours and do a side by side comparison!
I love to toss some broccoli florets into the water for a few minutes before the pasta, pull them out and add back in at the end. Om-nom! 😀
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Karen, yes, I have had Miyoko's and I too thought it was just ok. I hope you love my version so much more as I sure do!!
Karen says
Hi Sam's, Well, I finally tried this recipe and came here to leave a comment. "Hey," I thought, " that person puts broccoli in hers too?" (Turns out the comment was from ME, months ago, duh!) Yours was definitely better than Miyoko's, and yours is shelf stable, not that it'll last long in the cabinet! Ha! The only thing I'd change next time would be to reduce/leave out the sugar as it was a little too sweet. Otherwise, YES! Yum! Another win in Sam's book. 😀
Sam Turnbull says
Aww so happy you enjoyed it so much, Karen 🙂
Helen Corbin says
What an amazing thing. You are so clever!!!!!!!!
Sam Turnbull says
Thank you!
Emmanuelle says
Would it work with water instead of milk? Like maybe add water and some vegan butter/margarine? Thanks! I can’t wait to try
Sam Turnbull says
The creaminess from a non-dairy milk is ideal, but you could use water for a less creamy version in a pinch. Enjoy!
Julie H says
Is there a substitute for the white sugar?
Sam Turnbull says
You could use any powder sweetener you enjoy.
Tamia says
Is brown sugar is OK?
Sam Turnbull says
Yes, but the moisture in it might clump up the mix a little. Enjoy!
Emily says
Holy Sam-oly you've done it again!! This took the shortest amount of time to put together and then cook. I didn't have lemon pepper so added... A squeeze of lemon and black pepper and it seemed to taste just great. Using it as lazy lasagne topping for tonight!
Sam Turnbull says
Wonderful!!! So thrilled you love it so much, Emily!!
Mollie says
How long would you say to microwave the cheese sauce? I'm thinking after school snack here.
Sam Turnbull says
I actually don't own a microwave (I know, crazy), so I am not sure the correct time.
Hilly says
Hello there!
Thanks for this really handy recipe.
Just a quick question... I’m in England and I’m wondering how much cooked pasta does a cup of dry macaroni make please? Would that serve one or two people?
Thank you in advance!
Sam Turnbull says
According to this guide, 1 cup uncooked noodles would make about 2 1/4 cups cooked. Enjoy!
Hilly says
Thanks Sam!
Inna says
Hi Sam
Thanks for this amazing sounding recipe. Would you mind please clarifying if the paprika is sweet or smoked?
Thanks again!
Sam Turnbull says
You're most welcome, Inna, I used sweet, but you could use smoked if you wanted a smoky mac and cheese. Enjoy!
Inna says
Thanks for your prompt reply, Sam. I think a tiny pinch of smoked paprika could take it to another level!
Laura says
Inna, I accidentally used smoked paprika as the full amount-- the smoky flavour really takes over. Use the smoked paprika with caution!
Susan says
Another amazing recipe! Thank you for all of your fun and delicious recipes. My family and I have been vegan for over 6 years and I know I can still look for you for inspiration! I hope another cookbook will be in the works soon 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
Aww thanks so much, Susan, that means a lot!! I do my best to continue to come out with new fun recipes 🙂 Fingers crossed for a second book!
Julie says
Yay! Yay! Yay! Thank you! I love being vegan. I love the food I eat. I adore Mac and cheese of All kinds, but I grew up eating the boxed stuff. Sometimes I want the yum, quickly! And the $4 box of vegan mac and cheese from the natural food store did not impress. This was ONE thing that was missing in my pantry. Delicious.
Sam Turnbull says
Awesome! I am so happy I was able to fill the hole in your pantry for you, Julie 😀
amy says
Great recipe. My family loved it.
Sam Turnbull says
Awesome!! 🙂
Jen says
I made this for dinner tonight. It turned out well, and I have lots of leftovers for a lazy dinner night. 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
Wonderful! Happy you enjoyed it, Jen!
Nancy says
With a gluten free mix, is a gum needed or not?
Helen says
Hi, I'm not Sam, so you might want to wait for her reply, but I think that you wouldn't need to add any thing else if you are using the All Purpose Gluten free flour. The one I've used handled just like the regular AP flour.
Sam Turnbull says
Nope, it should work just fine. The flour just needs to thicken the sauce a bit which any gluten-free mix will do. Enjoy!
Jordi says
Bless you Sam Turnbull; this is definitely on my "to try" list.
Sam Turnbull says
Wonderful!