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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 

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. #Vegan Mac n Cheese Mix #Recipe. Glutenfree Nutfree Option #VeganRicha
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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!

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. #Vegan Mac n Cheese Mix #Recipe. Glutenfree Nutfree Option #VeganRicha
Ingredients for our Vegan Mac and cheese Powder in bowls and measuring cups

Vegan Mac and Cheese Powder

4.94 from 78 votes
By: Vegan Richa
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 serves of third cup powder that serves 2-3
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Vegan Gluten-free
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.
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Ingredients 
 

  • 1/2 cup cashews, raw, (see notes for nutfree)
  • 1/2 cup 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 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 mac or other small pasta
  • 1 cup non dairy milk or water
  • 1/3 to 1/2 cup 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

Nutfree: Use 1/2 cup total flour(all purpose) instead of cashews. 
A mix of 1/3 cup oat flour, 2 tbsp rice flour and 1 tbsp tapioca for glutenfree. 
Or 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds+ 1/3 cup total flour.
Also try my potato carrot cheese here 
 
Chipotle Mac: Add 1 tsp chipotle pepper powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika and 1 tsp oregano. 
Cajun/garam masala/Jerk Mac: Add 1 Tbsp cajun spice/garam masala/jerk seasoning to the mix. Sprinkle more on the cooked mac .
 
To bake into a casserole: Blend 1/2 cup of the mix with 1 1/4 cup non dairy milk. Combine in a casserole with cooked pasta and 1 tbsp olive oil. Top with breadcrumbs, mined garlic, fresh herbs of choice and a drizzle of olive oil. Bake at 400 deg F for 20 mins.
 
To make a Queso style dip: Blend 1/2 cup of the mix with 1 cup non dairy milk, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika,1/2 tsp cumin. Bring to a boil to thicken, take off heat, fold in some salsa and chopped pickled jalapeno.
 
Nutrition is for a 1/3 cup of the mix(which serves 2 or more people depending on how you use it), does not include pasta. (makes 1 1/3 cup) . For 1 individual serving, divide by 2.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 164kcal, Carbohydrates: 19g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 857mg, Potassium: 286mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 850IU, Vitamin C: 0.2mg, Calcium: 15mg, Iron: 2.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this recipe? Rate and comment below!

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. 
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. Vegan Mac and Cheese Mix Recipe. Glutenfree Nutfree Option

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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.

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. #Vegan Mac n Cheese Mix #Recipe. Glutenfree Nutfree Option #VeganRicha

Above is scant 1/2 cup chipotle mac mix with non dairy milk. Below is 1/3 cup mac mix with water. 
Mac and Cheese made with Vegan Mac and Cheese Powder in a while bowl

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. Vegan Mac and Cheese Mix Recipe. Glutenfree Nutfree Option

About Richa

Hi, I'm Richa! I create flavorful plant based recipes that are inspired by my Indian upbringing, including many gluten-free, soy-free, and oil-free options.

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4.94 from 78 votes (12 ratings without comment)

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224 Comments

  1. Rebecca says:

    5 stars
    This is both genius and delicious. It’s also exactly what I needed in my life! Thank you so very much ❤️

    1. Richa says:

      awesome!

  2. Patricia hamm says:

    5 stars
    Are the cashews raw ?

    1. Richa says:

      yes

      1. Zach says:

        Would roasted/salted cashews work?

        1. Richa says:

          they might add a slightly more nutty flavor, but should be ok. Maybe use a 1/3 cup and add 3 tbsp more flour to thicken.

  3. Susan says:

    5 stars
    This looks great! I want to make it for myself. Anything to simply mealtime is great! Thanks for all you do. I have both of your cookbooks and I love them!

    1. Richa says:

      awesome!! thankyou for getting both!

  4. Skip says:

    How can I pin this?

    1. Richa says:

      there is pin button when you hover on each image and also a social bar on the left on desktop view and bottom and top on mobile with the “P” button which pins

  5. Heather says:

    How many cups foes this recipe make?

    1. Richa says:

      about 1 1/3 cup.

  6. Bonnie Pettyjohn says:

    Would it work if I used Almonds instead of cashews? My son is highly allergic to cashews but can eat almonds. Seems like many vegan recipes call for cashews. I’ve always wondered if they could be replaced with something else.

    1. Richa says:

      yes you can use almonds. Almonds arent as creamy, so use 1/3 cup almonds(blanched peeled if possible) and add 2-3 tbsp more flour

  7. Brenna says:

    Genius! I’ll use this both at home and when I travel!

    1. Richa says:

      thanks!

  8. Linda says:

    I don’t have a food processor. Can the mix be made in a Vita Mix instead?

    1. Richa says:

      yes use vitamix

    2. John David McCormick says:

      I made it in a Krups coffee grinder because I didn’t want to clean the big food processor.

  9. Bajan mum says:

    5 stars
    What a great idea! I often fancy Mac and cheese, your magic powder will mean I get to have it even quicker. Thanks 💙

  10. Kirsten says:

    I would love to make this but my daughter is allergic to tree nuts (including cashews). Do you think it would work to substitute pumpkin seeds in place of the nuts? Thanks!

    1. Richa says:

      yes, see notes. youll need either all flour or some pumpkin seeds and flour

      1. Colleen says:

        I just made it with pumpkin seats and it’s TERRIFIC. Thank you for providing a nut free option!

    2. Archana says:

      5 stars
      Richa, I made this recipe today and I loved it! This is about as close as it can get to the taste of Mac & cheese! Although my son didn’t take to it (I suspect it’s because of the paprika) I have fallen in love with this taste and will continue to prepare this with little less spice for my son. Thank you so much!