Author: I played around in my kitchen until I perfected my recipe for Homemade Vegan Mac & Cheese Powder! And it it the best!!
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.
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 which 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.
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Homemade Vegan Mac & Cheese Powder
Servings: (makes 1 cup of powder)
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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 ground 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
⭐ Did You Make This Recipe?
I’d love if you left a rating and comment, it helps others find the recipe and makes my day! 💕Bon appetegan!
Sam.
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!