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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
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!
Vegan Mac and Cheese Powder
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 (not hot) non dairy milk and 2-3 tsp olive oil or vegan butter (optional) in a saucepan or blend and add to saucepan for creamier, start heat over medium, 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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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. 
Really quick to make, even quicker for next time as cheese sauce mix is enough to make for another two times at least.
Very tasty delicious comfort food that is super healthy. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
This was amazing ! My fussy 6 year old says ‘ goody good good – double thumbs up’. Seconds to make and great that I can whip another Mac and cheese up from the mix soon. Thank you 🙏
Yay!! How cute!
This is the best cheese sauce I’ve had since going vegan! I can’t believe how simple it is, and how much cleaner the ingredients are compared to some of the things you can buy at the store. I followed the recipe exactly, and when I made it for macaroni and cheese, I added some miso, and this was perfect. And then last night I made some and instead of adding miso I added a couple tablespoons of salsa from a jar, and it turned it into a nacho cheese sauce. We used it for quesadillas. Fantastic! I will have a batch of this on hand from now on.
Thank you for commenting. Glad you enjoyed!
This is a great recipe. I added lemon juice at the end to add that tang thatreal cheese has
Glad you enjoyed it!
Can I use a Vitamix for this
Yes, but do it in pulses and occasionally stop the blender and unstick the powder from the bottom with a utensil, then cover and blend again.
I would not recommend. If you want to try it, make a half recipe.
Texture was good, flavor was missing something
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
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!
1/2 cup flour plus 2 tbsp starch
This is excellent! Thanks so much!!
🙂
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.
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
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!!!
Thanks so much for your kind comment, Susan!