The Best Vegan Mac and Cheese with Nutritional Yeast
Creamy, cheesy-tasting macaroni made with cashews and nutritional yeast, perfect for a satisfying plant-based comfort meal. This american-inspired vegetarian (vegan) ready in about 30 minutes pairs elbow pasta, raw cashews, nutritional yeast for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz elbow pasta
- 1/2 cup raw cashews
- 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook 8 oz elbow pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Soak 1/2 cup raw cashews in hot water for 15 minutes. Drain and transfer to a blender with 3 tbsp nutritional yeast, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 cup water. Blend on high for 2-3 minutes until completely smooth and creamy.
- Step 3: Return drained pasta to the pot, pour in the cashew sauce, and stir over low heat for 3-4 minutes until sauce coats the pasta evenly and thickens slightly.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does The Best Vegan Mac and Cheese with Nutritional Yeast take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover The Best Vegan Mac and Cheese with Nutritional Yeast?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep elbow pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in The Best Vegan Mac and Cheese with Nutritional Yeast?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale The Best Vegan Mac and Cheese with Nutritional Yeast for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is The Best Vegan Mac and Cheese with Nutritional Yeast vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
