This Easy Vegan Mac and Cheese Powder is perfect to whip up mac and cheese within minutes when needed. It also makes a great gift! Add flavors and herbs for variations. Soyfree Vegan Mac and Cheese Mix Recipe. Glutenfree Nutfree Option. Jump to Recipe
You know when you need some mac and cheese fix super quickly and without having to think much about what to add when and how much! Or a Creamy Cheese Sauce to dip some veggies, This mix comes in handy!
Just mix or blend with non dairy milk, simmer and done. Add cooked pasta, sauteed veggies or salsa for a dip!
Saute some onion, garlic and veggies such as mushrooms to the cheese sauce for variation. Add some flavors such as chipotle pepper or cajun or garam masala. Play away!
You can use the mix to make a fabulous cheese sauce to dress roasted veggies or bowls or use as a dip! You can also make a casserole with it. Add more herbs of choice. Lots of options!
When the sauce is simmering, you can add additional flavors like some miso, lemon and/or soy sauce. Add some sriracha or chili garlic sauce or Gochujang for variation. Fold in some salsa and taco spice for a fajita style cheese sauce. Perfect to have around while travelling/camping!
If you want to use nuts other than cashews, such as almond, use a 1/3 cup nuts and add 2 tbsp more flour as most other nuts are not as creamy.
Tips to make a smooth cheese sauce
- You want to process or blend the mixture a few times with scraping and mixing in between. Check in between to feel the mixture if it is too gritty with pieces of nuts. Process more until themixture becomes more powdery with just a slight grittyness.
- Blend the mixture with the non dairy milk in a blender so the nuts blend in even more, before adding to the saucepan.
More gifts for the Holidays
- Cowboy Cookies in a Jar.
- Kitchari Mix in a Jar – Put in instant pot or saucepan and done.
Lets make this easy mac mix and gift it out to everyone who loves a good cheese sauce! This recipe is adapted from Miyoko’s Cheese Mix.
Above is scant 1/2 cup chipotle mac mix with non dairy milk. Below is 1/3 cup mac mix with water.
Recipe Card
Vegan Mac and Cheese Powder
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (64.5 g) cashews raw, (see notes for nutfree)
- 1/2 cup (22 g) nutritional yeast
- 3 tbsp flour ( all purpose or use oat flour for glutenfree. rice flour will work too, but it adds a slight grittyness)
- 2 tbsp tapioca starch or other starch
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp ground mustard
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1.5 tsp (2 tsp) salt (2 tsp for saltier or adjust later when you make the sauce)
- 2 to 3 tsp paprika , a mix of smoked and regular or all smoked
- 1/2 to 1 tsp black pepper
To make Mac & Cheese:
- 1 cup (4 oz) mac or other small pasta
- 1 cup (240 ml) non dairy milk or water
- 1/3 to 1/2 cup (6 to 8 tbsp) of mac and cheese powder from above
Instructions
To make the Powder Mix:
- Process everything in a food processor or blender until powdered. It takes 2-3 mins. Blend/process or a minute, scrape sides and blend again. (Check in between to feel the mixture if it is too gritty with pieces of nuts. Process more until the mixture becomes more powdery with just a slight grittyness.)
- Add other flavor profiles such as chipotle, cajun, garam masala and mix in (optional). See notes for options.
To make mac:
- Cook 1 cup of dry pasta according to instructions on the package in salted water. Drain and set aside.
- Combine 1/3 to 1/2 cup of mix with 1 cup of water or non dairy milk and 2-3 tsp olive oil or vegan butter (optional) in a saucepan or blend and add to saucepan for creamier, and bring to a boil. Add cooked pasta (and optionally sauteed veggies such as mushrooms, broccoli etc) and cook for a min, taste and adjust salt and flavor. (You can add 1 tsp miso or soy sauce and/or lemon juice for additional flavor. Garnish with oregano, pepper flakes if needed.) Cover and let sit for another 2 mins. (For saucier, use 1/2 cup mix. You can add a tbsp more of the powder to the simmering sauce, if it isnt as thick as you like).
- To make cheese sauce to drizzle over roasted veggies or salad or baked potato, blend 1/2 cup mix with 1 cup non dairy milk.Add to a pan and bring to a boil. Simmer for a few mins to thicken.
- To Store: Store in a glass jar or ceramic airtight container. On the counter away from heat for upto a month. Refrigerate for freshness and longer life.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Janet K
I would not recommend. If you want to try it, make a half recipe.
Texture was good, flavor was missing something
Richa
Hi Janet, adjust the flavor to preference while it’s simmering. That way you will figure out what balance of spices and herbs you need in the dry mix
Cas
I love this, thank you!
I like to make it with chickpea flour, it adds the nutrition of the beans to round out the meal since there is already veggies and whole grain in my pasta I use the sauce on. Your recipe is faster and less messy than other cheese sauces I have made involving cooking the beans and potatoes, etc., ahead of time, and then blending.
I was confused for the nut free option, though. Is it 1/2 cup flour + 3 tb flour + 2 tb starch, or just 1/2 cup flour + 2 tb starch, or no starch at all? Thank you!
Richa
1/2 cup flour plus 2 tbsp starch
Patrice Anita
This is excellent! Thanks so much!!
Vegan Richa Support
🙂
Poonam
Hi Richa,
Vegetarian turning vegan. Do I have to add black pepper, paprika and ground mustard to make the cheese mix? My husband doesnt eat spicy and just wanted to make this so he can have some to. Ive never used ground mustard before so dont know the flavor profile very well.
Richa
All the flavors added add the flavor depth to the cheese mix. You can reduce or reduce or omit the black pepper if he cannot tolerate heat. It isn’t much but you can add some later when heating it and feel it needs a bit of the pepper. Paprika adds a smoky flavor . Use mild paprika and add less of it. You can powder mustard seeds and use. They don’t add any heat, they add an umami type flavor
Susan Dilger
Always have this on hand because….. who doesn’t love Mac and Cheese! Mix with frozen Broccoli or mixed veggies (throw in with the pasta to cook) and Voila!!! A quick lunch, snack, or side dish in minutes.
BIG ❤️❤️❤️ to Richa! Been vegan for 7 years and she is in my top 3 for perfect, tasty, can’t-wait-to-make-again meals!!!
Vegan Richa Support
Thanks so much for your kind comment, Susan!
Richard W.
This is so awesome, thank you so much! It’s no surprise that this is the best vegan cheese powder recipe on the internet, because your Indian Kitchen book is by far the best vegan Indian cookbook on the planet!
I especially like making Chili Mac & Cheese with it now, by adding sautéed bell pepper, onion and ground veggie burger patties, along with some chili powder, cumin and hot sauce.
Vegan Richa Support
Thank you for your kind comment, Richard!
Jennifer
I love your recipes! You’ve been inspiring my cooking for years. This recipe would be awesome with powdered coconut milk instead of the cashews.
Alexandria Phillips
Made this today. I am very excited. This is going to be a game changer for days when I dont have leftovers for lunch for the kids.
Vegan Richa Support
I’m so glad to hear!
Laura
Do you think that cassava flour would work? I’d like to make a jar for my daughter. She has to avoid all grains.
Vegan Richa Support
I have not used cassava flour in this recipe, but you could certainly try. The consistency might be a bit thicker.
Em
Hi there, I am researching vegan recipes & stumbled upon yours. It sounds delicious and am considering making this and gifting the mix as a Christmas present. Just wondered, would you happen to know how long this dry mix will last on the shelf? Thanks!
Vegan Richa Support
The blend will keep well stored at room temperature in a sealed container for up to one month. Store in the refrigerator for up to 6 weeks or so.
Reena
Richa, this is amazing!! I have missed Mac & cheese since becoming vegan. Thank you for ALWAYS having nut free options ❤️🙏
Vegan Richa Support
Perfect. You’re so welcome.
Jim
I’ve tried literally dozens of vegan ‘mac and cheese’ powder recipes and this by far is the best of them all. The variations are also fantastic and give me ideas for my own. Currently I like to use all smoked paprika and also add 1 ts Ethiopian berbere that I get from Brundo. It it more complex with African herbs and a bit hotter than any berbere recipes I have tried. However, it has honey used in processing so is not vegan though. Oddly it is honey wine they use to make a paste with all of the ingredients that is then dried in the sun before made into a powder.
Vegan Richa Support
Yum! I love smoked paprika. Wow – you’re into your spices – that’s great!
Laura
MMMMmmm. Now I’m in the mood to try out some African spices!
Chris DeBremaecker
Is salt the only sodium source in the dish?
I’m watching my sodium intake for medical reasons.
Vegan Richa Support
yes, and there’s some in the pasta as well
Roxanne
I didn’t know which powdered cheese sauce I would like best, so I did a side-by-side taste test of several from the internet. Yours won hands down! It was rich and creamy, it had that stretchy quality that dairy-made sauce does, (probably from the tapioca starch,) a pleasing, creamy color, and the best flavor! I don’t think anyone would be able to tell this from a homemade dairy-based
sauce. They’d certainly be able to tell it from a boxed mac and cheese sauce because those don’t taste like cheese. Thank you! I will be making a gigantic batch to keep in my freezer for every cheese sauce need.
Note: I used my Vita-Mix to make my test batch. The motor heated the powder so it stuck to the bottom of the blender. I’m sure the raw cashews had enough fat in them that they caused the powder to be slightly clumpy. The clumps disappeared when I cooked the sauce.
Vegan Richa Support
Really? I’m flattered.
MJ Walls
Absolutely fantastic! Making as a powder is genius rather than soaking cashews. Fast and delicious. I will always make as a double batch. Who knew fake Mac and cheese could be this good!
Richa
Yay
Beatnik
I’ve never made non dairy cheese anything. Love this easy to make recipe. I used cashew flour (1/2 C) instead of cashews.
While I enjoy garlic, the next batch will have less than recommended. Might try adding turmeric.
Definitely like adding smoked Paprika!
Vegan Richa Support
all about the smoked Paprika!
Lianne
I can’t eat nutritional yeast. Can you suggest any substitution for it? I’d love to be able to make a gf vegan Mac and cheese that’s safe for me, and tasty enough to make my kids happy. Thanks! I just found your site and I’m excited to try your recipes. I’m especially excited to try the vegan Malai kofta! Yum!
Richa
Can you eat miso? Add 2-3 teaspoons miso while making the sauce. Or your other best bet is mixing in some vegan cheese shreds. There are quite a few brands that don’t container nutritional yeast
Teresa
So I weighed my cashews, & 1/2 cup was 64.5 g. Then I weighed my nutritional yeast and a level 1/2 cup gave me 36g, 1/3 cup gave me 24g and 1/4 cup gave me 18g. Is there a typo in the recipe?
Richa
I use a widget and it uses some standardized values. Also nutritional yeast flakes va powder would differ in weight. Which one did you measure
Chloey
Can I use almond flour in place of white flour? I hate using white flour.
Richa
Use a mix of almond and cashew. Almond won’t thicken as much as regular flour and will be gritty. Some more cashew will help thicken
Kim Abby
This was a comfort food staple for me during lockdown! Thanks to a comment from another reader I tried it with hemp seeds, also delicious. I always use pumpkin seeds and will play with other nuts seeds now too 🙂 Love having a big jar of this in the pantry at all times. Amazing how creamy it turns out! Omnivores love it too. Thank you Richa!
Richa
Awesome!
Stacy
This is a game-changer for me. Very easy, very tasty, and so much wiser than my usual convenience food tendencies. Definitely a new pantry staple.
sylvia
Yummy, yummy! Served it over steamed cauliflower. To die for!
Thank you, Richa!
Vegan Richa Support
sounds delicious sylvia
Kim Abby
Oooh that’s a great idea Sylvia!
Louise
It’s nice for mac & cheez but I am finding different uses for it too. Sliced some extra-firm tofu, coated with egg replacer and dipped in cheez powder, fried it up. Yum. Also, added to mashed potatoes with a touch of vegan butter, soy milk, lemon and cracked pepper as filling for perogies!
Richa
Awesome
Lina
Just to clarify, to make this GF i used oat flour and cornstarch and followed everything else for the recipe is that okay?
Vegan Richa Support
perfect
Amanda
Can you sub almond flour for the flour? I don’t have rice flour to go with oat flour.
Vegan Richa Support
sure – use the same amt as the cashews instead
Amanda Arnold
So 1/2 cup of almond flour vs 3 tbsp regular flour? Just asking because it seems like a LOT more!
Vegan Richa Support
yes because it’s replacing the other
Meggie Wolfe
Thanks for your wonderful recipes 🙂
Richa
Awesome!
Margaret Wolfe
This recipe is brilliant! I have subbed in half cashews for sunflower or pumpkin seeds. Thanks for creating this. You have made the convince of boxed mac and cheese possible with whole ingredients to make a nice cheese sauce for anything but especially a noodle. I make large batches to keep when the urge for a cheesy craving arrives.
Becky
Yummmmmy! So easy to make, turned out super delish! Thank you 🙂
Vegan Richa Support
thanks for popping in ♡
Leah Anne Abercrombie
Could you substitute almond flour for the cashews?
Vegan Richa Support
yes, same amount
Nicole
I made mine fresh with boiled potatoes and carrots instead of any flour. Turned out pretty good. I just put the ready to go chesse sauce in jars in the fridge. So good over air fried potato wedges with some salsa.
Vegan Richa Support
yummy
Laura
I double the recipe and keep this in a jar in the freezer for whenever I need it. Weeks later it’s still fresh and delicious!
Vegan Richa Support
What a great idea! Thanks for the awesome review, so glad you stopped by!
Swathi
This looks delicious. I don’t have starch or yeast at home. Can starch be replaced by potato? What can I use instead of yeast?
Vegan Richa Support
in the dry mix that would be difficult to substitute. I dont like too much nutritional yeast either, but this works for me.
You can make a cheese sauce with no nutritional yeast. Try this one and add 1 tsp miso and 1/2 tsp natural mustard and that will help with the the cheesy flavor. https://www.veganricha.com/garlicky-korean-mac-cheese/“>Garlicky Korean Mac and Cheese with Gochujang
Rhonda
I can’t have any dairy and also GF ? Can I get this in GF also …? Please let me know what it’s called I will order.
Vegan Richa Support
great- – it’s already dairy free – and the GF option in the notes states: A mix of 1/3 cup oat flour, 2 tbsp rice flour and 1 tbsp tapioca for glutenfree.
Elaine Eddinger
I’m all set to do the nut-free/gluten-free version. I have the ingredients, but I notice I’m confused (this happens to me on your other recipe subs too.)
The part in the notes about using “A mix of 1/3 cup oat flour, 2 tbsp rice flour and 1 tbsp tapioca for glutenfree.”: Is this in addition to the oat flour (within the recipe it says to use oat flour to make GF) and tapioca already in there? Or is this total oat flour, tapioca and rice flour and then forget lines 3 and 4 of the recipe?
Thanks so much and I enjoy playing with your recipes.
Vegan Richa Support
ok great – not in addition to – just use 1/3 cup oat flour, 2 tbsp rice flour and 1 tbsp tapioca for glutenfree.” only and forget about the other lines (2 T tapioca) thanks for your question Elaine
Toni
I didn’t want to use cashews for this recipe. I had a big bag of shelled hemp seeds from Costco so I used them instead. It trunked out really well. I did add a bit more nutritional yeast and lemon juice at the end to give some tang. This is a mix i will definitely keep around for a quick batch of Mac n cheese.
AmberH
Thanks for sharing Toni! I too have Costco hemp seeds that need more use lol. I so love this recipe with pumpkin seeds and cashews and look forward to trying with hemp 🙂
Vegan Richa Support
perfect timing
Alina
Sounds delicious but it is a pity that I cannot use nutritional yeast. Does anyone have any solutions? Thank you.
Vegan Richa Support
in the dry mix that would be difficult to substitute. I dont like too much nutritional yeast either, but this works for me.
You can make a cheese sauce with no nutritional yeast. Try this one and add 1 tsp miso and 1/2 tsp natural mustard and that will help with the the cheesy flavor. https://www.veganricha.com/2017/02/garlicky-korean-mac-cheese.html
Karolyn Aucoin
Quicker, tastier and easier than any other vegan mac I’ve had. my go-to from now on.
Vegan Richa Support
Awesome !!
Luke
Tastes just like store-bought, love it! I made this when my vegan box mac came without a packet and I don’t think I’ll buy another now, this is just so easy and much healthier. Thank you!
Vegan Richa Support
amazing! thank YOU!!
Alyssa
This looks awesome! Any thoughts on how this might work for cheese popcorn? I’m craving Chicago style popcorn hard these days!!
Richa
Should work just fine!
Toni Kulma
Love this recipe. So convenient! But to my taste it needed a tang of acid because cheddar cheese has a tang to it. . So I added lemon juice with the non dairy milk.. perfect
Jimena Juarez
I like the recipe too much, i started with a free month trial vegan challenge, and this change my life. Now i can enjoy more my life and the food, Thank u.
If u want the link of the challenge here is: https://bit.ly/3eWDq6D
Vegan Richa Support
wow. that’s amazing!! good for you. thank you.
Charlotte
Excellent! So much flavor, definitely the best vegan mac and cheese recipe I’ve come across! And so convenient too!
Laura
Would cornstarch work instead of tapioca starch? TIA. This could be a game changer. All vegan Mac and cheese recipes look so time consuming. Thanks for sharing this powder. ☺️
Richa
It will. The mixture might not be a stringy that’s all.
Michele
Easy & Delicious! I added a little cayenne and some crushed up croutons on top. Can’t wait to try different add ons. Thanks so much!!
Colleen Swanger
I am just in love with this recipe (especially with the nut free option) and now want to make little gift jars of it. Do you mind sharing where you got your little jars shown? Thank you in advance!
Richa
From amazon. They are smaller mason jars
Grace
Thank you so much for this recipe! It has been a lifesaver for my daughter with many allergies
M
Richa,
I only have roasted pepitas. Will that work for the nut-free sub, or do they need to be raw?
Aman
Forgot to give it the 5 stars it deserves!
Richa
Awesome! Thanks!
Aman
This was life changing. Not only was it quick but my super carnivore husband loved it. I’ve made other vegan mac n’ cheese recipes before and he did not like them at all. My kid is eating it up like candy. I can see this as our easy dinner night on my weekly meal rotation! Thanks a million!
Greta
This was freaking delicious. Thank you so much!
Vegan Richa Support
So glad you enjoyed this recipe!