Vegan Mac and Cheese (No Cashews)

Name: Vegan Mac and Cheese (No Cashews)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 8 ounces dry pasta; 1 cup chopped potatoes ((Yukon Gold or russet) peeled, and cut into 3/4-inch pieces (about 1 large)); 1/4 cup chopped carrots (cut into 3/4-inch pieces (about 1 small)); 1/4 cup chopped yellow onion (cut into 3/4-inch pieces (about 1 small)); Salt (to taste); 1/2 cup white beans ((cannellini, navy, Great Northern) or raw soaked cashews); 4 tablespoons nutritional yeast; 1 tablespoon lemon juice (plus more to taste); 1/2 teaspoon yellow mustard; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/8 teaspoon cayenne; Freshly ground black pepper (to taste); Zest of lemon (to taste)

↓ Jump to Recipe

This creamy vegan mac and cheese (no cashews) is ready in just 15 minutes. It is the perfect go-to lunch or weeknight dinner recipe. White beans and veggies give the sauce its rich texture. Plus, it is gluten-free, easy, and kid-approved.

Rigatoni pasta with creamy vegan lemon sauce, topped with lemon zest, black pepper, and crushed red pepper in a blue bowl with a fork. — Garnish with lemon zest and for a delicious tang.

This is one of my favorite pasta sauce recipes. Not only is it made with simple, healthful ingredients, but it also tastes amazing. Even picky eaters will polish it off!

This was inspired by my Healthy Sweet Potato Pasta with Miso on this site, as well as this Tofu Pasta Sauce.

Jump to:

👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients
📖 How to Make Vegan Mac and Cheese (No Cashews)
🥦 Substitutions and Variations
🔪 Equipment
⏱ Storage
✔️ Top tip
👩🏽‍🍳 Made This Recipe?
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients

You need only 10 pantry and budget-friendly ingredients to make this recipe.

Carrots, white beans, yellow onion, lemon, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, cayenne, smoked paprika, yellow mustard, cashews, and Yukon Gold potatoes on a white marble board. — Ingredients For Creamy Dairy-Free Nut-Free Lemon Pasta

White beans, cashews, or a combination of both work great. White beans are loaded with protein, fiber, and iron. Use cannellini, Great Northern, or navy beans. Cashews make the sauce slightly creamier. Soak the raw cashews overnight, or in boiled water for 15 minutes, if you do not own a high-speed blender.
Nutritional yeast is loaded with protein, and vitamin B₁₂, and imparts a cheesy flavor. (Not all brands are fortified with B₁₂, so it is best to check the label.)
Yellow mustard typically contains turmeric, which gives the sauce a yellow color, mimicking the look of traditional cheese sauces.

See the recipe card for quantities.

📖 How to Make Vegan Mac and Cheese (No Cashews)

Cooked chopped potatoes, onions, and carrots in a large black skillet with an orange plastic spatula. On white marble with a jar of artichoke hearts, chopped asparagus in a glass jar, and a lemon.

Step 1. Chop the veggies into equal-sized pieces so they cook evenly. Simmer covered until tender. Do not overcook. Save 2 cups of the cooking water (broth) when draining.

Cooked potatoes, carrots, and onion; nutritional yeast, cashews, cayenne, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and veggie broth in a blender. A jar of artichoke hearts, cut asparagus in a glass jar, and a lemon. On a marble tile.

Step 2. Transfer the ingredients for the creamy dairy-free lemon pasta sauce to a blender. Blend on high until smooth, adding more broth as needed.

Rigatoni in a white bowl, cut asparagus spears in a glass jar, one lemon, jarred artichoke hearts, and Creamy Dairy-Free Nut-Free Lemon Pasta Sauce in. white bowl.

Step 3. The sauce should be creamy, but not too thick. It gets creamier as it cooks. Add veggie broth or water as needed for reheating until the desired consistency.

Rigatoni, cut asparagus, and marinated quartered artichoke hearts in a large black cast iron skillet. On a white marble tile next to a microplane and lemon.

For serving: This pasta is versatile. Incorporate more veggies as desired when heating the pasta with the sauce. Asparagus and marinated artichoke hearts are optional additions.

🥦 Substitutions and Variations

Pasta - Skip the pasta to change things up. This nut-free lemon sauce also tastes great on its own, served as a creamy soup.
Cashews & white beans - use an equal amount of both if you are not nut-free. This gives the perfect velvety texture.
Asparagus and artichoke hearts - Option to add 8 ounces of asparagus (steamed), and one (12-ounce) jar of marinated artichoke hearts as desired.
Veggies - Add more veggies: steamed broccoli florets, green peas, baby spinach, kale, leeks, or crispy roasted chickpeas. Mix them in when heating the sauce with the pasta.
Gluten-free - use gluten-free pasta, and read all nutrition labels

This Creamy Vegan Pasta with Air Fryer Tofu is another nut-free recipe but with even more protein. Visit my Vegan Pasta Recipes page for more easy and healthy pasta dinner ideas.

🔪 Equipment

High-speed blenders are a game changer when it comes to blending soups, sauces, nuts, you name it! There tends to be a lot of blending in vegan recipes, and a good quality blender makes things much easier and gives better results. Therefore, it is a worthwhile investment if you plan on eating more plant-based meals. Research different high-speed blenders based on reviews, and choose the best one you can afford.

⏱ Storage

Do not heat all the of sauce if you plan on having leftovers. Only heat the quantity you plan on eating. Refrigerate any remaining sauce in an airtight container for up to 5 days. It typically thickens as it chills. Add veggie broth or water for reheating.

Refrigerate any remaining Vegan Mac and Cheese (No Cashews) in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Add veggie broth for reheating until the desired consistency.

These ingredients do not stand up well to freezing.

✔️ Top tip

Do not overcook the carrots, potatoes, and onion or they quickly lose their flavor. Simmer them until they are just fork-tender.

Can I make the mac and cheese sauce ahead of time?

Yes! That's why this recipe is perfect for meal prep. Make the sauce beforehand, and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat it with cooked pasta for serving.

How do you make a creamy vegan sauce without cashews?

Blended white beans are delectably creamy in texture. You won't miss the cashews. Blending them into the sauce adds thickness and richness. Plus, they are loaded with fiber, protein, and iron.

What does lemon zest do?

Lemon zest adds a burst of flavor. It is tangy, sweet, and citrusy in flavor, and not as acidic as the tart juice. Do not skimp on the zest! It brings the dish together deliciously.

👩🏽‍🍳 Made This Recipe?

Share your Vegan Mac and Cheese (No Cashews) creation with me on Instagram. It makes my day to see you recreate my recipes.

I would love it if you would ⭐️ rate this recipe and leave a comment. Thank you in advance.

📖 Recipe

Comments

5 from 13 votes (1 rating without comment)