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    Home / Recipes / Vegan Entrees

    Easy Cashew Mac and Cheese

    Published: Oct 12, 2024 · Modified: Oct 12, 2024 by Kathy Carmichael · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Cashew Mac and Cheese is smokey, creamy, delicious, and melts in your mouth. Top it with coconut bacon to take this vegan cashew mac and cheese recipe to the next level!

    Cashew mac and cheese in a bowl on the counter.

    Have you discovered the magic of cashews?  I'm in love with Cashew Mac and Cheese topped with coconut bacon! What can I say? It's a game-changer. This vegan cashew mac and cheese recipe is to die for! 

    Jump to:
    • Cashew Cheese Sauce Ingredients
    • Cashew Cheese Sauce Ingredient Substitutions
    • How to Make Cashew Mac and Cheese
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Roasted or Sautéed Vegetable Mac & Cheese
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Tips:
    • More Vegan Recipes to Try!
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    When we were in San Diego recently, we ate at one of the best vegan restaurants EVER!!

    Although we visited many vegan restaurants on our trip, Donna Jean stands out as one of the best plant-based eating experiences we have ever had. 

    First, we ordered the most incredible vegan mac and cheese I have ever eaten. Served in an iron skillet, Donna Jean's cashew mac and cheese recipe was so creamy and delicious; I couldn't believe it was vegan.

    Of course, I begged for the recipe, and without hesitation, the waitress told me the secret to epic mac and cheese: raw cashews, miso, and coconut milk. So, after many trials and errors, I mastered it but switched out the coconut milk for oat milk for a less fat version. 

    Cashew Cheese Sauce Ingredients

    Cashew mac and cheese in a blender with a spoon inside the blender.

    As with most dishes, the magic is in the sauce. So once I knew the secret to making the best cashew mac and cheese, I experimented with combining those ingredients to make the magic happen.

    • Raw Cashews: Cashews supply the creaminess to this cheese sauce; however, if you are allergic to nuts or avoid eating nuts, there are substitutions below. Or try my vegan nacho cheese sauce made from potatoes, carrots, and other veggies.
    • Oat Milk: I like oat milk because it's naturally creamy. Make sure its unsweetened, unflavored plant milk.
    • Lemon Juice: I prefer fresh lemon juice whenever possible.
    • Roasted Red Peppers: Roasted red peppers come in a water-filled jar. Avoid the ones packed in oil. Or, roast your own red bell peppers.
    • White Miso Paste: White Miso Paste is the umami flavor to the cheese sauce, giving it a salty and savory taste.
    • Green Onions: Green onions, also called scallions, are mild in flavor.
    • Garlic: Fresh garlic adds warmth and depth to the sauce.
    • Dijon Mustard: Dijon mustard gives the cashew cheese sauce a little tanginess.
    • Shallot: Shallots have a delicate and sweet flavor with a hint of sharpness, while onions bring a more intense heat.
    • Garlic Powder: Garlic powder is ground dried garlic, which adds another component to the sauce.
    • Pepper: I prefer fresh ground pepper whenever possible.
    • Nutritional Yeast: Nutritional yeast is vegan cheesy. It also contains Vitamin B 12!
    • Liquid Smoke: I used hickory-flavored liquid smoke, but there are several different flavors to choose from.
    • Paprika: Paprika adds a little more smoke and heat to the sauce.

    Cashew Cheese Sauce Ingredient Substitutions

    • Substitute cashews with macadamia nuts or almonds.
    • For a nut-free option, choose silken tofu, white beans or sunflower seeds.
    • Or, try mac and cheese using a vegan cheese sauce made from potatoes and carrots.
    • Choose an unsweetened, unflavored plant milk.
    • Bottled lemon juice works well in a pinch.
    • Poblano peppers have a similar taste to roasted red peppers.
    • Yellow miso paste is an excellent substitute for white miso paste.
    • Try leeks instead of scallions.
    • If you're using jarred garlic in a recipe, the general rule of thumb is ½ teaspoon for every clove — but feel free to use more to make up for the flavor loss.
    • Stone-ground mustard is similar to dijon mustard.
    • Red onion is an excellent replacement for shallots, but because red onion is more robust in flavor, use half the red onion to substitute a shallot in a recipe.
    • Soy sauce or miso paste often replaces nutritional yeast in recipes. For gluten-free options, choose tamari or liquid aminos.
    • If you don't like smokey flavors, skip the liquid smoke and paprika. Or, if you like it smokier, add smoked paprika instead of regular paprika.

    How to Make Cashew Mac and Cheese

    I am pouring the sauce into a bowl of hot, cooked noodles.
    • Drain and rinse the raw cashews.
    • Add cashews and all ingredients, except macaroni, in a blender.
    • If you soak your cashews, it takes less time to blend; however, if you have a quality blender, you don't have to soak them (I used a Vitamix).
    • For a quick and easy way to soften the raw cashews, boil them for 10 minutes, drain, and rinse before blending.
    • In the meantime, prepare the noodles.
    • Fill ¾ of water and 2 teaspoons of salt in a large pot.
    • Wait until the water starts boiling before adding macaroni.
    • Follow the directions on the package (I boiled for 7 minutes per package instructions).
    • Drain noodles completely in a colander.
    • Return the noodles to the pan.
    • Add the sauce to the hot noodles.
    • You do not need to heat the sauce. The sauce will heat when poured and stirred onto the hot noodles.
    • Add sautéed or roasted vegetables or coconut bacon.

    Serving Suggestions

    Coconut bacon in a bowl on the counter.

    Then, why not make it more decadent by adding coconut bacon? Although I have made tempeh bacon, mushroom, eggplant, and soy paper bacon, coconut bacon is my favorite. And it is so easy to make.

    • If vegan bacon isn't your thing, try adding roasted vegetables on on top of your cashew mac and cheese recipe.
    • Or, add some vegan chili or coney sauce for chili mac.
    • Skip the noodles altogether, and add this cashew cheese sauce to broccoli, a baked potato, or use it as the base for cheesy scalloped potatoes.
    • Another way to use this sauce is with vegan nachos or tater tot nachos.
    • Add a little hot sauce to kick it up if that's your thing. Or add some roasted balsamic vegetables and make it a party in a bowl! 
    • We love filling a baked potato with broccoli and leftover cashew cheese sauce.

    Roasted or Sautéed Vegetable Mac & Cheese

    One of the best aspects of this vegan mac and cheese is its versatility for many recipes. Just add sautéed or roasted vegetables, and dinner is ready.

    A bowl of vegan mac and cheese with roasted balsamic vegetables on top.

    I hope you love this cashew mac and cheese recipe as much as we do. Of course, you won't be disappointed if you don't add the coconut bacon. 

    I am eating vegan mac and cheese in a bowl on the table.

    Recipe FAQs

    Is cashew cheese healthier than cheese?

    Some vegan cheeses may be healthier than others depending on their ingredients — for instance, those that use cashew nuts. These products usually have higher levels of protein and lower levels of sodium and saturated fat than other types of vegan cheese.

    How healthy is cashew cheese?

    Aside from being super delicious, plant-based cashew cheese is rich in Vitamin B, Calcium, Protein, and Fiber. It has more vitamins and minerals than dairy. Unlike animal cheese, it does not have saturated fats, which increase cholesterol and your risk of heart disease and stroke.

    How fattening is cashew cheese?

    As a plant-based food, it's very low in saturated fat and has zero cholesterol (compared to 25 milligrams of cholesterol in an ounce of goat cheese). The short story is this: Cashew cheese can be a healthy option, depending on what you're trying to add or avoid in your diet.

    Tips:

    • You don't have to soak the cashews overnight if you have a high-quality, high-speed blender. 
    • Soak the cashews overnight in water if you don't have a great blender. Or, a quick and easy way to expedite that process is to bol the cashews for 10 minutes, drain the water and blend them with the other ingredient.
    • For fresh lemon juice all year round, consider juicing lemons when in season and freezing them in Souper Cubes. Each opening freezes 2 Tablespoons of lemon juice or any liquid that can be added to any recipe.
    • When reheating this cashew mac and cheese recipe, add some plant milk or water and use the reheat food option on the microwave.
    • If making the cheese sauce in advance, refrigerate and reheat when ready to use. Add a little vegetable broth or water to make the sauce thinner.
    • When freezing the sauce, leave at least 1 inch between the top of the container and the top to avoid freezer burn.
    • Freeze for up to 3 months.
    • Thaw frozen sauce in the refrigerator overnight, and reblend in a blender. You may need to add a little water.

    Try this cashew mac and cheese recipe the next time you crave creamy mac and cheese!

    More Vegan Recipes to Try!

    • Thai noodle salad
      Vegan Thai Noodle Salad
    • Cold Green Bean Salad
    • zucchini noodle salad recipe
      Fresh Summer Zucchini Noodle Salad
    • Summer Couscous Salad Recipe
      Summer Couscous Salad Recipe

    If you love vegan cashew mac and cheese, give us a 5-star review and comment below. We would love to hear from you!

    📖 Recipe

    cashew mac and cheese

    Easy Cashew Mac and Cheese

    Kathy Carmichael
    Cashew Mac and Cheese is smokey, creamy, delicious, and melts in your mouth. Top it with coconut bacon, and take your mac and cheese to the next level!
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 45 minutes mins
    Course Entrees
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 549 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    Cashew Cheese Sauce

    • 1 cup raw cashews soaked overnight. You don't have to soak them if you have a high-quality high-speed blender.
    • ½ cup unsweetened oat milk or plant milk of choice
    • 3 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
    • 2 Tablespoons White Miso Paste
    • 4 Green Onions bottom greens removed
    • 2 cloves garlic
    • 1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
    • 1 Shallot
    • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
    • 2 teaspoons pepper
    • 6 Tablespoons Nutritional Yeast
    • 1 Tablespoon Liquid Smoke I used hickory flavor
    • 1 roasted red pepper I used a jarred packed in water
    • 1 teaspoon paprika

    Coconut Bacon (optional)

    • 1 recipe 1 recipe coconut bacon

    Pasta

    • 16 ounces of noodles of choice

    Instructions
     

    Cashew Cheese Sauce

    • Drain and rinse the raw cashews.
    • Add cashews and all ingredients, except the macaroni, in a blender.
    • If you soak your cashews, it takes less time to blend (I used a Vitamix)
    • If you did not soak your cashews, you must blend until smooth.

    Noodles

    • In a large pot, fill ¾ of water and 2 teaspoons of salt.
    • Wait until the water starts boiling before adding macaroni.
    • Follow the directions on the package (I boiled for 7 minutes per package instructions).
    • Drain noodles completely in a colander.
    • Return the noodles to the pan.
    • Add the sauce to the hot noodles.
    • You do not need to heat the sauce. The sauce will heat when poured and stirred onto the hot noodles.
    • Serve and add coconut bacon crumbled on top (optional)

    Video

    Notes

    • You don't have to soak the cashews overnight if you have a high-quality, high-speed blender. 
    • Soak the cashews overnight in water if you don't have a great blender. Or, a quick and easy way to expedite that process is to bol the cashews for 10 minutes, drain the water and blend them with the other ingredient.
    • For fresh lemon juice all year round, consider juicing lemons when in season and freezing them in Souper Cubes. Each opening freezes 2 Tablespoons of lemon juice or any liquid that can be added to any recipe.
    • When reheating this cashew mac and cheese recipe, add some plant milk or water and use the reheat food option on the microwave.
    • If making the cheese sauce in advance, refrigerate and reheat when ready to use. Add a little vegetable broth or water to make the sauce thinner.
    • When freezing the sauce, leave at least 1 inch between the top of the container and the lid to avoid freezer burn.
    • Freeze for up to 3 months.
    • Thaw frozen sauce in the refrigerator overnight, and reblend in a blender. You may need to add a little water.
    Optional Toppings
    • Add hot sauce
    • Add scallions
    • Add salsa or chopped tomatoes.
    • Add jalapeños
    • Add balsamic roasted vegetables

    Nutrition

    Calories: 549kcalCarbohydrates: 77gProtein: 20gFat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 353mgPotassium: 642mgFiber: 9gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 190IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 77mgIron: 4mg
    Tried our recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Kathy Carmichael

    Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂

    www.kathysvegankitchen.com/about-me/

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    Reader Interactions

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      5 from 7 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Wendy

      March 08, 2024 at 6:43 am

      Hi,
      Confused about the green onion = remove bottom greens? The green is usually at the top with the onion bulb being the bottom.So use the greens or the white bulb?

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        March 08, 2024 at 12:30 pm

        Hi Wendy, sorry for the confusion. You use the white bulb part, not the greens. I save the greens and use them for chives, but I add only the white part of the green onions. I hope you enjoy the recipe.

        Reply
    2. Kevin

      January 24, 2021 at 1:05 am

      5 stars
      This was very simple to follow and absolutely delicious. The longer I blended everything the better the consistency. I did add a little more oat milk to thin it out. Once it hit the warm pasta it was perfect. I will certainly make this again.

      Reply
    3. dave

      January 19, 2021 at 6:46 pm

      how do I mesure 1/2 an oat of milk

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        January 19, 2021 at 7:35 pm

        Hi Dave, it's 1/2 cup; thanks for letting me know 🙂

        Reply

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