This post contains affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
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. 
Thanks. I just made this and it was a hit with the family. Delicious and easy.
awesome!
Do I have to soak the cashews?
no this is a dry mix with dry raw cashews, which get blended to make a powder
Great recipe… Which non dairy milk do you use in your recipes? I’ve tried unsweetened almond in several recipes, but it taste sweet to me. Also, is the mustard powder like Colman’s Hot Powder (UK) ? Thanks
just use water and higher amount of the mix.The cashews in the mix make it creamy enough. you can add moreof the mix if you feel it isnt thickening enough.
Love this! We made an instapot broccoli mac and cheeze with this:
Serves 6-8
3.5 cup unsweetened almond milk
3/4 cup this cheese mix
1 head of broccoli chopped into 1inch pieces
1 box of penne (we used lentil)
2 tablespoon vegan ‘butter’
2.5 cup water
Whisk milk and cheeze powder. Build in instapot: broccoli, butter, water, cheese & milk. Stir together. Poor dry pasta ontop. Do not stir in pasta, but pasta should be wet. Cook for 10min. Release pressure and enjoy!
awesome! i would thinkk 10 mins is a bit long for pasta. What kind of pasta are you using?
Hi! It was a high protein lentil/wheat mix. We also have a different brand pressure cooker than the instapot so it may only be 7min for the instapot.
Sounds wonderful! Can’t wait to try it!
Hi Richa,
If I weigh my nutritional yeast, 1/4 cup is 22 grams. For this recipe, would you go by weight or by volume then?
Thank you!
I usually cook with cups and the widget picks up calculated values from the database. so i would say go by cups.
Thank you!
Hellow Richa…It’s one My fav dished now cause I tried the last weekend its taste like amazing…
Thank you so much for your fantastic recipes…
This recipe was amazing! Just tried it last night and it was the best vegan mac and cheese recipe I have tried so far. Thank you!
yay!!
This is a great way to be ready to make mac and cheese, or cauliflower and cheese, at a moments notice. What a brilliant recipe. Thanks for posting this. Finally got around to making it today. Fantastic.
Thanks!
Hi Richa,
The recipe looks great. May I ask what food processor/ blender you use? (I have a Vitamix).
A post on the equipment you use in the kitchen would be helpful!
Thank you for all your great recipes.
I use a mini kitchen aid and a 7 cup hamilton beach food processor. For blenders i use nutritbullet the most andsome few times blendtec.