– This is the best vegan macaroni and cheese recipe EVER!! –

I’ve been eating a lot of macaroni and cheese lately. Between huge, heaping spoonfuls of real cheese, I’ve been pining for a less milk-heavy version that would appeal to my vegan friends. (and my former vegan self – yes, I was vegan many years ago!) But, vegan cheese leaves a lot to be desired. Career vegans, I know a lot of you are with me on that.

There are a few reasons I’m not a fan of vegan cheese. First, it’s highly processed. Second, it’s really expensive and doesn’t really bode well for someone trying to eat healthy on a budget. And third, it’s f***ing gross. Just like anything else in my kitchen I’m not happy with, I try to make it better. Vegan mac and cheese has already been perfected for the most part, so I was left to build upon an established recipe that I really enjoy.

Now, I have to give credit where it’s due: this dish was adapted by what is arguable one of the best vegan macaroni recipes out there, by the New Farm Vegetarian Cookbook. Published many decades ago, New Farm’s recipe has been bent and stretched countless times. And I’m doing it again.

The original recipe had a lot of oil, and I wanted to make it lighter. I also found it a little blander than I’d like, so I added some spices and used a few new liquids instead of plain water. The original recipe had a lovely texture, so I’ve left that just the way the authors intended.

I think you’ll like it, vegan sensibilities or otherwise.

Vegan Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Author: Stephanie Stiavetti

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Vegetarian

Cuisine: Vegetarian

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 5 mins

Total Time: 20 mins

Nutrition Facts

Vegan Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 660 Calories from Fat 477

% Daily Value*

Fat 53g82%

Saturated Fat 8g50%

Polyunsaturated Fat 12g

Monounsaturated Fat 28g

Cholesterol 1mg0%

Sodium 1438mg63%

Potassium 231mg7%

Carbohydrates 51g17%

Fiber 2g8%

Protein 39g78%

Vitamin A 2250IU45%

Vitamin C 3.3mg4%

Calcium 90mg9%

Iron 3.4mg19%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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The best vegan macaroni and cheese recipe EVER. This dish, based on the recipe by The New Farm Cookbook, is so spot-on creamy that I've served it to omnivores and they've never guessed it was dairy-free.

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 cups dry elbow macaroni
• 1/2 cup margarine, (make sure you’re using a vegan variety!)
• 1/2 cup flour
• 2 cups unsweetened soy milk
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoon Bragg’s Amino Acids
• 2 tablespoon soy sauce
• 3 cloves garlic, pressed
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil, or more for thinning
• 1 cup nutritional yeast flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• Sriracha sauce, to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat broiler. Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain the pasta through a colander and set aside.
2. Place the margarine in a medium saucepan and melt over medium-low heat. Add the flour and stir with a wooden spoon for about 2 minutes, or just until the roux begins to take a beige color. Stir in soy milk and broth, beating well to dissolve the roux. Add salt, Bragg’s, soy sauce, garlic, turmeric, and smoked paprika, then increase the heat to medium, and stir until the sauce thickens. Stir in oil and nutritional yeast, cooking for another 2 minutes. If you’d like to thin out the sauce, add another tablespoon or two of broth.
3. Spoon macaroni into 4 heat-proof ceramic bowls and top with a thick layer of breadcrumbs. Slide under the broiler for 3 or 4 minutes to crisp. Do not over bake, or the macaroni sauce will separate.

Cooking Resources:

If you like this recipe, you might be interested in the following resources:

1. Lovely tofu ricotta you can make at home.
2. Learn how to make almond cheese. (yes, for real!)

This content was originally posted on FearlessFresh.com.