The most iconic of comfort foods definitely deserves a nationwide celebration, and we are commemorating the creamy, gooey, cozy goodness of this classic dish with a list of unconventional vegan recipes for National Mac and Cheese Day! We start simple, with stovetop recipes that can be made in under 30 minutes, and move on to the many variations of baked mac and cheese (cajun, white truffle, cauliflower, and more!), and finally let the creative juices flow along with the creators of stunning vegan mac and cheese fusion recipes that range anywhere between merging mac & cheese with pizza, artichoke dip, and cheesesteak, and making it a sandwich filling, or even burger buns! There is definitely a vegan mac and cheese recipe out there for everyone on today’s list. Enjoy!
Stovetop Vegan Mac and Cheese Recipes
10 Minute High Protein Vegan Mac and Cheese by Veggie Kins
This secretly healthy vegan mac and cheese recipe contains no nuts, no potatoes, no gluten, and even no oil. What it does have, however, is extra protein from silken tofu, and it’s made in 10 minutes!
Click here for the full recipe.
Instant Vegan Mac and Cheese by School Night Vegan
A lazy hack for all the vegan mac and cheese lovers out there: your homemade instant cheese powder that requires only plant milk, a little vegan butter, and some gorgeous little pasta tubes to make it a delicious fuss-free meal. What’s more, there’s an oven-free breadcrumb topping recipe included!
Click here for the full recipe.
WFPB Mac and Cheese by Shine with Plants
Made with accessible wholesome ingredients, this cheesy pasta is made with gluten-free fusilli and a thick and creamy veggie-based sauce. Be sure to check out the full recipe in the video’s description!
Click here for the full recipe.
Mac no Cheese with Vegan Rice Paper Bacon by The Foodie Takes Flight
This vegan mac and cheese recipe is comforting, satisfying, pantry-friendly, and easy to ake — basically, it’s everything you want from this dish! Top it with some homemade vegan bacon to enhance the flavor even more.
Click here for the full recipe.
Nut-Free Vegan Mac and Cheese by Sweet Potato Soul
If you are allergic to cashews, have no fear! Jenné of Sweet Potato Soul is too, so she developed a creamy indulgent vegan mac and cheese recipe that is completely nut-free! What’s her secret? Humble white beans!
Click here for the full recipe.
Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese Recipes
Easy Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese by I Can You Can Vegan
If you’re not vegan yet and are struggling with replacing cheese with its plant-based alternatives, this vegan mac and cheese recipe might be helpful! It’s ready in less than an hour, made with store-bought cheese to save you time, and it definitely delivers in terms of looks & flavors.
Click here for the full recipe.
Cheesy Vegan Mac and Cheese by Ghetto Vegans
This vegan mac and cheese recipe works with five different kinds of plant-based dairy (we do live in the future!), but what truly makes it stand out is homemade vegan cream of chicken. Be sure to check out the full recipe in the video’s description!
Click here for the full recipe.
Healthier Vegan Cauliflower Mac and Cheese by Avant-Garde Vegan
Some vegan recipes are healthier than others, and that’s great! Variety is key when it comes to vegan food and recipes. If your plant-based diet is on the healthier side, check out this vegan mac and cheese recipe by Avant-Garde Vegan that’s made with cauliflower and packed with protein from chickpeas & flavor from sundried tomatoes, garlic, spring onions, and spices.
Click here for the full recipe.
Cajun Vegan Baked Mac and Cheese by Healthier Steps
Michelle Blackwood of Healthier Steps put a Southern twist on her vegan mac and cheese recipe by adding green onions, garlic, bell peppers, smothered in a cheesy cashew sauce with homemade Creole spice blend, and homemade gluten-free vegan sausage slices. Yum!
Click here for the full recipe.
Baked Vegan White Truffle Mac and Cheese by Eat Figs, Not Pigs
This creamy, garlicky white truffle vegan mac and cheese with shaved Brussels sprouts and a buttery, crispy breadcrumb topping will make a perfect holiday side dish, but can definitely be enjoyed without a special occasion!
Click here for the full recipe.
“Meaty” Mac & Cheesy by Teri-Ann Carty
When Teri-Ann Carty, vegan food creator and author of her own Best of Vegan column Simply Pasta, says that “carbs are life and don’t let anyone tell you different,” we can’t help but agree! This recipe isn’t technically a mac and cheese bake, but you will need the oven to make meatless walnut beef crumbles, but the pasta itself and the cheesy butternut squash-based sauce can be made on the stovetop!
Click here for the full recipe.
Fusion Vegan Mac and Cheese Recipes
Kimchi Mac and Cheese by The Korean Vegan
The secret to a good vegan cheese sauce, according to The Korean Vegan, is umami, the powerful fifth taste which can be incorporated through things like nutritional yeast, onions, and garlic, but what really takes it to the next level is a pickling solution — which is what you get by adding kimchi to the mix!
Click here for the full recipe.
Masala Mac and Cheese by Vegan Richa
Take your vegan mac and cheese to flavor town with this Indian spiced cheese sauce made with garam masala, cumin, fennel, cayenne, nigella, and fenugreek seeds!
Click here for the full recipe.
One-Pot Vegan Chili Mac by Rainbow Plant Life
This vegan mac and cheese recipe exists right at the intersection of protein-packed chili and creamy, comforting pasta, and we’re absolutely here for this crossover! It’s easy to make and budget-friendly, as well as gluten, soy, and oil-free.
Click here for the full recipe.
Spicy Vegan Mac and Cheese with Jalapeño and Kale by Forager Project
Spicy, but not overwhelming, flavorful, but familiar, healthy, but doesn’t taste like it — this vegan mac and cheese is simply perfect!
Click here for the full recipe.
Baked Spinach-Artichoke Mac and Cheese by Sweet Simple Vegan
Is it a dip? Is it a bake? Is it a mac? It’s all of the above! This recipe merges two classics: artichoke dip and mac & cheese. It gets its layers of tang from grilled artichokes and lemon zest, mingling with the creamy cashew cheese, crunchy bread crumbs in perfectly cooked pasta.
Click here for the full recipe.
Vegan Swiss Macaroni and Cheese with Potatoes and Applesauce by Zucker & Jagdwurst
Did you know other cultures and cuisines have their own traditional versions of mac and cheese? This dish is originally known as ‘Älplermagronen’ and it’s a classic of Swiss cuisine. It’s a fusion dish made with potatoes, pasta, cheese, smoked tofu, and onions doused in a creamy sauce and served with sweet applesauce! Definitely worth a try if you’re tired of plain old cheesy pasta.
Click here for the full recipe.
Tandoori Mac N’ Cheese by Chai to Chia
A weeknight dinner option that’s packed with flavors and fiber, yet is easy to make? Sign us up! Roasted veggie lovers and Indian cuisine fans will greatly appreciate this vegan mac and cheese topped with tandoori-spiced chopped vegetables.
Click here for the full recipe.
Vegan Buffalo Wing Mac and Cheese by The Curious Chickpea
Satisfy your comfort food cravings with this recipe that calls for crispy homemade tofu wings, spicy buffalo sauce, and an easy coconut milk cheese sauce, resulting in the gooiest of bites — with every bite.
Click here for the full recipe.
Vegan “Lobster” Beer Mac by Vegan Travel Eats
Valerie Libutti’s mac and cheese recipe is proof anything can be veganized! Imagine your favorite pasta doused in creamy cashew-based beer sauce and topped with hearts of palm “lobster” bits… Sounds exciting? Head on over to Vegan Travel Eats for the full recipe.
Click here for the full recipe.
Cauliflower Gnocchi Mac and Cheese by Okonomi Kitchen
Replacing store-bought pasta with homemade gnocchi is a surefire way to elevate your mac and cheese game! This gluten-free vegan recipe is the ultimate comfort food.
Click here for the full recipe.
Roasted Butternut Squash Miso Mac ‘n Cheese by The Plant-Based Wok
Remember that part about umami flavors being crucial to vegan mac and cheese? This recipe is made with a whole lot of them, including miso paste! It’s creamy, flavorful, and tangy, an irresistible dinner option.
Click here for the full recipe.
Vegan Pizza Mac & Cheese by Hot for Food
Another vegan mac and cheese recipe pairing two comfort food classics, this time it’s pizza’s turn to become a comforting macaroni bake. It takes all of the traditional pizza toppings like cheese, pepperoni, and pepper, and mixes them with macaroni, herbs, spices, and breadcrumbs for the ultimate comforting experience!
Click here for the full recipe.
Mozzarella Mac Deep Dish Pizza by Vegan Yack Attack
If you’d like it the other way around, Jackie Sobon of Vegan Yack Attack has got you covered with a recipe that trunks mac and cheese into a vegan deep dish pizza! It’s got homemade crust, easy toppings, and flavorful marinara encasing some seriously delicious vegan mozzarella mac ‘n’ cheese.
Click here for the full recipe.
Jalapeño Popper Mac & Cheese by BOSH!
Sometimes original ideas are born out of abundance — such is the case of this vegan jalapeño popper mac and cheese, which is BOSH!’s unconventional, hearty, spicy take on the classic.
Click here for the full recipe.
Veggie Mac n Cheeze Chowder by The Vegan Sara
You only need five words to describe this mac and cheese chowder: cozy, chunky, cheesy, comforting, and, of course, vegan! Made with cashew cream and veggies, it’s a great option on colder days.
Click here for the full recipe.
Vegan Mac and Cheese Shepherd’s Pie by Rainbow Nourishments
This vegan shepherd’s pie has mac and cheese for what traditionally is a mash potato topping and assorted veggies for the filling. It’s a wholesome recipe that doesn’t call for store-bought vegan meats or cheeses, and yet it’s as flavorful as ever!
Click here for the full recipe.
Vegan Macaroni Pie and BBQ Portobello Mushrooms by Black Foodie
Of course, there is more than one way to make a mac and cheese pie, and this recipe by Black Foodies is proof. Cheesy baked macaroni pie is topped with a wholesome green seasoning and paired with barbecued portobello mushrooms. Yum!
Click here for the full recipe.
Philly Cheesesteak Mac ’n’ Cheese by The Nut-Free Vegan
Another impressive crossover on today’s list, this recipe will appeal to all the cheesesteak fans, comfort food fans, mac, and cheese fans, and, if we’re being honest, probably anyone who likes delicious vegan food!
Click here for the full recipe.
Deep-fried Mac and Cheese Balls by Zacchary Bird
Internet’s favorite vegan chef is not only quite the jokester but also an unapologetic vegan junk food aficionado. This recipe comes from his eponymous book, and it absolutely delivers — vegan deep-fried mac and cheese balls served with homemade bloody mary dipping sauce are the stuff of our junk food dreams!
Click here for the full recipe.
Vegan Mac ‘n Cheese Lasagna by The Jewish Vegan
A creative spin on the good old pasta bake, this plant-based lasagna is made of layers of vegan ricotta cheese, mac n’ cheese, spinach, and cheese sauce. You definitely get the best of both worlds with this recipe!
Click here for the full recipe.
Vegan Mac and Cheese Sandwich by A Vegan Feed
Another unconventional way to enjoy vegan mac and cheese is to stuff it into a sandwich, believe it or not! It’s an easy and filling version perfect to enjoy on the go.
Click here for the full recipe.
Vegan Mac and Cheese Burger by Romy London
True vegan mac and cheese fans will not shy away from trying this elaborate concoction that looks far more intimidating to make than it is (at least according to its creator)! Put together vegan mac and cheese burger buns, coconut bacon bits, gherkins, ketchup, and meatless burgers of choice, and you’ve got yourself some next-level comfort food!
Click here for the full recipe.
Editor: Anna Kot.
