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    Home » Comfort Food Recipes

    Vegan Black Pepper Mac and Cheese with Potato Carrot Cheese Sauce

    Published: Jul 24, 2015 · Modified: Jan 9, 2019 by Richa 101 Comments

    Jump to Recipe   Print Recipe

    Vegan Black Pepper Mac and Cheese with a light potato carrot cheese sauce. Free of dairy, egg, corn, nuts. Can be made soy-free and gluten-free with gf pasta. 30 minute meal. Add cashews to make a thicker creamier sauce. Vegan Mac and Cheese Recipe. 

    Jump to Recipe   

    Vegan Black Pepper Mac and cheese with Potato Carrot Cheese Sauce| Vegan Richa #vegan #macncheese #nutfree

    More Mac n cheese! Cannot have enough mac recipes right.

    Veggie cheese is all over the web recently. So I made some my way. No prep needed, no mashed potatoes needed. Cook the potatoes and veggies you want to use for 15-18 minutes. Blend, boil with pasta, done. Easy and simple. 

    And black pepper oh my. I don’t know why I haven’t added this much pepper to my mac before. It tastes amazing! more pepper= more fun.

    This is a light sauce. For a creamier sauce, add sesame or pumpkin seeds or cashews. Use whole grain pasta or gf pasta to preference. Add more veggies in the cheese sauce or add with broccoli and use less pasta. Variations are endless. The veggie cheese sauce is one of those sauces that either one loves or doesn’t (as seen on the interweb on the many variations of the sauce) just like the butternut sauce mac :).  


    This missing scroll bar is annoying. Has anyone’s wordpress editor scroll bar disappeared with the WP 4.2 upgrade?

    Vegan Black Pepper Mac and cheese | Vegan Richa #vegan #macncheese #nutfree

    Vegan Black Pepper Mac and cheese with nutfree potato carrot sauce | VeganRicha.com #vegan #macncheese #nutfree #recipe

    More Macs and Pasta recipes from the blog. 

    • Masala Mac and Cheese Vegan Recipe
    • Cauliflower Alfredo, Spinach, artichoke Lasagna
    • Pumpkin Sage Pasta with Pumpkin Cream Sauce and Crispy Sage
    • Instant Mac and cheese mix in a jar 
    • Nacho Mac and cheese Casserole

    Vegan Black Pepper Mac and cheese | Vegan Richa #vegan #macncheese #nutfree

    Video:


     

    Vegan Black Pepper Mac and cheese | Vegan Richa #vegan #macncheese #nutfree #veganricha
    Print Recipe
    4.90 from 29 votes

    Vegan Black Pepper Mac and Cheese with Potato Carrot Cheese Sauce

    Vegan Black Pepper Mac and Cheese with a light potato carrot cheese sauce. Free of dairy, egg, corn, nuts. Can be made soy-free and gluten-free with gf pasta. 30 minute meal. Add cashews to make a thicker creamier sauce. Recipe inspired by several veggie cheese sauce recipes.
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time35 mins
    Total Time55 mins
    Course: Pasta
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: vegan mac and cheese, vegan mac and cheese recipe
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 284kcal
    Author: Vegan Richa

    Ingredients

    • 2 1/4 cups (562.5 ml) water
    • 1 medium potato about 1 cup or use 3/4 cup mashed potatoes
    • 1/3 cup (42.67 g) chopped carrots
    • 4 garlic cloves or 1 tsp garlic powder
    • 2 tbsp chopped onion or use 1/2 tsp onion powder
    • 1/2 (0.5) green chili optional
    • 1/2 (0.5) medium tomato chopped
    • 1/2 to 1 tsp prepared mustard
    • 2 tsp soy sauce or liquid aminos
    • 3 to 4 tbsp nutritional yeast
    • 2 to 3 tsp lemon juice
    • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil omit to make oil free
    • 1/3 tsp (0.33 tsp) paprika
    • 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) sriracha optional
    • 3/4 tsp (0.75 tsp) or more salt
    • 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) white pepper
    • 3/4 to 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper divided
    • 6 to 8 oz (6 oz) elbows pasta cooked to preference
    • 1 cup (91 g) broccoli chopped small

    Instructions

    • In a skillet, add water, potato, carrots, garlic, onion, chili and tomato. Cover and cook over medium-high heat for 17 to 19 minutes or until the potato is very tender and breaks easily. (add 2 Tbsp cashews for creamier sauce). Cool slightly.
    • Meanwhile, cook the pasta to aldente. (in parallel with the above step if you like).
    • Add the potato carrot mixture to a blender with the rest of the ingredients. Blend until smooth. taste and adjust salt and spice.
    • Transfer to the pan over medium heat. Add salt, white pepper, 1/3 tsp black pepper. Mix in. Bring to a boil. Carefully taste and adjust salt, cheesiness (add more nutritional yeast if needed).
    • Add the cooked pasta and broccoli or other veggies. Mix in. Cover and cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until the sauce comes to a good boil and thickens.
    • Let it sit for 5 minutes. Mix in the rest of the freshly ground black pepper (1/2 to 2/3 tsp). Sprinkle more pepper if you wish and serve/

    Video

    Notes

    For creamier sauce or variation: Add tbsp cashews, or 1-2 Tbsp sesame seeds or pumpkin seeds with the potato and carrots or add a tbsp of flour to the blended sauce.
    If you like your broccoli and veggies a bit cooked, add them to the pasta pot, 5 minutes before the pasta will be taken off heat. Drain both and keep aside.
    Dont like carrots? Use zucchini
    Nutritional values based on one serving

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Vegan Black Pepper Mac and Cheese with Potato Carrot Cheese Sauce
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 284 Calories from Fat 72
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 8g12%
    Saturated Fat 1g6%
    Sodium 604mg26%
    Potassium 506mg14%
    Carbohydrates 44g15%
    Fiber 4g17%
    Sugar 2g2%
    Protein 9g18%
    Vitamin A 2145IU43%
    Vitamin C 32mg39%
    Calcium 49mg5%
    Iron 2.7mg15%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Vegan Black Pepper Mac and cheese | Vegan Richa #vegan #macncheese #nutfree

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    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you Love the Recipe, Please consider rating it using stars in comments! It helps readers and helps more people find the recipe online! I love hearing from you all! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

    Reader Interactions

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    1. Karen

      April 10, 2022 at 4:36 pm

      5 stars
      This was unbelievably delicious. I added frozen peas along with the broccoli. Yours are my go-to for recipes these days. Can’t wait to get your new book.

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        April 12, 2022 at 11:45 am

        Yay! I’m excited for you too – I hope that you enjoy it

        Reply
    2. Ramona

      November 03, 2021 at 9:49 am

      5 stars
      Fantastic!!! I added a wee bit of vegan cream cheese but that’s it. Great recipe.

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        November 04, 2021 at 11:18 am

        nice addition

        Reply
    3. Richa Bhardwaj

      September 10, 2021 at 12:18 pm

      5 stars
      I have used your recipes every now and then. I saw it first time on Facebook and instantly got interested because of the name (as we share the same name). Yesterday, I made this mac and cheese and it was a hit in my family. I have tried other mac and cheese recipes too (definitely 4 times if not more) but they were not this successful. Today while searching on your website for something to try cooking today, I got a chance to read about you. You are such an inspiration. You have gone through a lot but it never stopped you to do what you love. I am so glad I am following you and trying your recipes, not only because they are inspired by Indian cooking but they are so easy to make.
      Thanks for sharing your wonderful creations.

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        September 12, 2021 at 4:14 pm

        excellent to hear

        Reply
    4. Lindsay

      May 09, 2021 at 2:02 am

      I can’t find white pepper anywhere. Will the recipe turn out okay if i only use black pepper?

      Reply
      • Richa

        May 09, 2021 at 9:05 am

        Yes

        Reply
    5. B Walker

      March 18, 2021 at 6:37 pm

      4 stars
      I followed the recipe fairly closely but reduced the amount of water that I boiled the vegetables in quite a bit. I only used 1.5 cups of water, and figured I would use pasta water to thin it as needed, but turns out it was thin enough for me without any extra liquid. I did add the cashews for exra creaminess, and instead of using any siracha or jalapeno, I added a dab of vegan chipotle mayo, figuring this would add some spiciness and smokiness, and therefore I omitted the oil, too, since this stuff is mostly oil anyway.
      Any feedback on whether or not you think this (cheese sauce only, not pasta) will freeze well? I’m the only vegan in our household and 4 servings of pasta in a row is a bit much for me.
      Thanks for the tasty recipe!

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        March 22, 2021 at 4:58 pm

        sure – the sauce will freeze just fine. i’ve even frozen cooked pasta separately as well

        Reply
    6. Priyanka

      January 27, 2021 at 1:26 pm

      I love your recipes, have tried so many and all of them were hit.. I am planning to try Black pepper Mac n cheese this weekend and I do not have nutritional yeast. Is it okay if I skip it?

      Reply
      • Richa

        January 27, 2021 at 2:32 pm

        Yes. Add in 1/2 tsp ground mustard

        Reply
    7. Surbi

      January 11, 2021 at 5:31 pm

      5 stars
      Super delicious! Super easy! Will definitely make again!
      Eliminated the chili pepper and sriracha to make it less spicy for the kids (added sriracha in my own bowl because that is yum).
      Also subbed miso for the soy sauce as someone suggested.

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        January 12, 2021 at 9:15 am

        love the sriracha also. Thanks

        Reply
    8. Sruthi Muralidharan

      November 03, 2020 at 7:37 pm

      5 stars
      I made this today. Gorgeous recipe, never making mac and cheese any other way ever again.

      Reply
    9. Dave Big Chief

      September 11, 2020 at 7:46 am

      3 stars
      I’d swap the water for a 3 1/2 cups plant-based milk — it makes the sauce looser and creamier. Also swapping the soya sauce with 2 tsp white miso has more umami. If you want more of a cheese taste add 1 tsp lactic acid and half the lemon juice. Consider soaking the cashews for a few hours…

      Reply
    10. Anjali

      August 14, 2020 at 11:58 pm

      Thank you thank you thank you. I made mac and cheese without any real cheese….i am sooooo in love with the taste. Loved it!!!!

      Reply
    11. Katherine

      August 05, 2020 at 2:40 pm

      Five years later, I still make this cheese sauce all the time. I’m about to make it for dinner right now, I never get tired of it.

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        August 05, 2020 at 8:32 pm

        wow! That’s half a decade

        Reply
    12. Julia

      April 25, 2020 at 11:49 am

      5 stars
      I like this a lot. I usually use a recipe with coconut milk but this is an exceptional alternative when I don’t have any on hand. Other than the green chillies, which I omitted along with the sriracha, I have all these ingredients stocked at all times so it can’t get any more convenient than this. I will say it has a spice to it so I would probably cut back on the paprika and black/white pepper for anyone who is sensitive, and omit the green chillies and sriracha like I did.

      Reply
    13. Yvette

      April 09, 2020 at 6:48 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you for sharing this very tasty and comforting vegan recipe!! I truly enjoyed it!! I added turmeric for some added color but it was already tasting great! Paired it with black beans & rice and collard greens. It was simply fantastic!!

      Reply
    14. arti

      March 22, 2020 at 1:57 am

      5 stars
      truly awesome.
      vegan comfort food at its best,…did not even miss “regular ” cheese
      thanks @ Richa

      Reply
      • Richa

        March 22, 2020 at 12:15 pm

        thanks!

        Reply
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