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Creamy Mac and Cheese

This Creamy Mac and Cheese is seriously the best you’ve ever tried. It is ready in under 15 minutes and made with simple ingredients that you’ve already have on hand. Even the pickiest kids will eat this and want a second plate in no time. A keeper that the whole family will love and no one would ever taste or guess it is entirely vegan.

A saucepan full with the creamy Mac and Cheese.

You know I do not get tired of making Mac and Cheese recipes. Stunners like my Garlic Brussels Sprouts Mac and Cheese, the One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese, Jalapeno Mac and Cheese, or the Cauliflower Mac & Cheese.

If you are looking for more ideas use the search bar and keep your craving mile high.

Today’s recipe is taking a somewhat more traditional turn: lots of vegan cheese, creamy, and so comforting.

Overview of the ingredients needed for this Creamy Mac and Cheese.

I have tested this recipe in and out to get it absolutely right and seriously the result and the flavor were simply amazing

Go ahead and try this Creamy Mac and Cheese, because it is:

  • easy to prepare with step by step pictures
  • great for leftover pasta
  • super creamy
  • rich
  • flavorful

Step 1: Melting the vegan cheddar on low heat.

Besides that, the result is also:

  • filling
  • satisfying
  • comforting
  • kids friendly
  • ready in under 15 minutes

Step 2: mixing in the vegan cream cheese.

What’s in this Mac and Cheese sauce

As I mentioned, this recipe is very traditional: just pasta and a cheese sauce.

Of course this means that the sauce is the most important part of the dish. To get the best combination of creaminess and flavor, you will need:

  • vegan cream cheese
  • butter (vegan)
  • vegan cheddar and parmesan
  • almond milk

Final step: Mix cheese sauce with pasta.

What is special about these ingredients for Creamy Mac & Cheese Sauce

Vegan Cream Cheese adds creaminess and tang; often made from cashews or coconut oil. 

Vegan Butter provides richness; typically made from plant oils like coconut or avocado. 

Vegan Cheddar & Parmesan is key for cheesy flavor and umami. Choose brands with good meltability like Violife or Daiya.

Almond Milk for a light and creamy base; use unsweetened for best results. Alternatives: Soy, oat, or cashew milk.

Together, these ingredients create a rich, dairy-free mac and cheese.

What you need for this vegan Mac and Cheese

Apart from those ingredients, not much is left to add: pasta and some spices.

Make sure you have the following at hand:

  • Macaroni noodles – this works perfectly with leftover pasta
  • garlic powder
  • onion powder

Optionally you can also add some smoked paprika.

Closeup view showing the pasta soaked in creamy sauce.

How to make stove top Mac and Cheese

Start out with a large casserole or pot and melt vegan butter on low heat. Now add the vegan cheddar and also melt it while stirring all the time. Still on low heat – this is important!

When the cheddar and butter is combined to a smooth mix, stir in the vegan cream cheese. Then add plant milk and parmesan and combine everything to a smooth sauce.

Finally, give precooked macaroni to the pot, mix well, and season with salt and pepper (and optional smoked paprika). Heat everything for 5 minutes, then serve in bowl or on plates. 

Lifting a spoonful of the ready dish out of the pan.

My Creamy Mac and Cheese makes such a perfect option for dinner, lunch, or meal prep that you can always count on.

It is especially amazing as a make ahead meal.

You can store it in the fridge for around 5 days, when covered with a lid on top.

Give some fresh pepper over the Creamy Mac and Cheese for extra flavor.

Can I freeze this?

Yes you absolutely can! But before freezing it, please make sure it cools down properly.

Use an airtight container with a lid of choose freezer bags. It will stay fresh in the freezer for around 2 months.

You can even make a bigger batch, If you want to.

Easy and ready in 15 minutes: this Creamy Mac and Cheese is incredibly satisfying, delicious and so easy to make. Everyone will eat this, even the pickiest eaters. It tastes better than the real deal and no one would ever taste it is vegan. #vegan #dairyfree #glutenfree #vegetarian #comfortfood #contentednesscooking #dinner #lunch #mealprep #creamymacandcheese #veganmacandcheese

If you try this Creamy Mac and Cheese, tag me on Instagram or Facebook.

Love seeing all your remakes.

Cheers, Florian.

Creamy Mac and Cheese

Creamy Mac and Cheese

Yield: 4
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

This Creamy Mac and Cheese is seriously the best you've ever tried. It is ready in under 15 minutes and made with simple ingredients that you've already have on hand. Even the pickiest kids will eat this and want a second plate in no time. A keeper that the whole family will love and no one would ever taste or guess it is entirely vegan.

Ingredients

  • 4 cups Macaroni (leftover is great, use gf if needed)
  • 2 Tbs vegan butter
  • 10 oz vegan cheddar, finely cut
  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1 batch Vegan Parmesan Cheese (3 ingredients, 1 min)
  • 7 oz vegan cream cheese
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • salt, pepper to taste

Optional:

  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

Instructions

  1. Start out with a large casserole or pot and melt vegan butter on low heat. Now add the vegan cheddar and also melt it while stirring all the time. Still on low heat - this is important!
  2. When the cheddar and butter are combined to a smooth mix, stir in the vegan cream cheese. Then add plant milk and parmesan and combine everything to a smooth sauce.
  3. Finally, give precooked macaroni to the pot, mix well, and season with salt and pepper, garlic, onion powder (and optional smoked paprika). Heat everything for 5 minutes, then serve in bowl or on plates.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1.5 cups
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 564Total Fat: 25gSaturated Fat: 11.4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12.6gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 312mgCarbohydrates: 71gFiber: 3.6gSugar: 13gProtein: 15g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Facebook

Lacey

Tuesday 25th of November 2025

Looks like an amazing recipe and I can’t wait to try it! Could I use dairy free Boursin cream in place of the cream cheese? Also, can I make this in a crockpot rather than stove top? Thanks!

Florian

Tuesday 25th of November 2025

Hi Lacey! You can use dairy free Boursin, but keep in mind the result will be different. I would say, it will work in the crockpot. Let me know what you think and how it turns out.

Armani Emmal

Monday 24th of November 2025

Do you think this could be made ahead of time and reheated? What do you recommend?

Florian

Monday 24th of November 2025

Hi Armani! Surely, you can make everything up to 5 days ahead of time. You can reheat, but keep in mind always reheat on low temperature this is really important for an amazing result. Hope that helps and clarifies. Let know what you think.

SpaceWitch

Wednesday 15th of October 2025

Hi for how many people is this dish?

Florian

Wednesday 15th of October 2025

Hi there! It is for 4 people and let me know what you think.

Rach

Tuesday 26th of November 2024

Excited to make this! Can I use DF shredded parmesan cheese instead of making my own? If so, how much should I do?

Florian

Tuesday 26th of November 2024

Absolutely and let me know what you think!

anna

Friday 18th of October 2024

Oh my goodness, this is SOOO good!!! I had a recipe I loved that used Daiya (which I don't really love), but they change the dang formula so much that I haven't liked it at all the past few times I've made it. So I've been on the hunt for a new go-to recipe... and this is definitely it! Super easy and super yummy. Only change I made was that I used pine nuts instead of cashews for the parm because one of my kiddos is allergic... and I always add some steamed broccoli ;) Thank you so much for sharing!!!

Florian

Friday 18th of October 2024

Thanks a lot for making it and your wonderful feedback, Anna! The addition of broccoli and pine nuts for the parm sounds so good. Please do a star rating with your review. It is truly helpful for other readers. Thanks a lot.

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