Vegan Richa Mac and Cheese

This Vegan Richa mac and cheese loads the classic comfort food with veggies and skips the dairy. It’s rich, creamy, and incredibly simple to make.

Is it really possible to make a vegan mac and cheese that is as creamy and cheesy as the comfort food we loved since childhood?

This Vegan Richa mac and cheese says yes, and you won’t even be able to tell it’s packed with vegetables!

But if this dairy-free deliciousness still doesn’t hit the spot, try our vegan broccoli mac and cheese and Instant Pot vegan mac and cheese. 

Vegan Richa Mac and Cheese

This healthy vegan mac n cheese is a recipe from this vegan cookbook by Richa Hingle of Vegan Richa. 

Its creamy cheese sauce is made without a hint of dairy, but it will still satisfy your cravings for the poster child comfort food with its cheesy goodness.

The secret? Cashews and nutritional yeast!

This vegan mac and cheese is also guaranteed to keep hunger pangs at bay as it combines al dente elbow pasta with fiber-packed broccoli. 

Why You’ll Love This Healthy Vegan Mac n Cheese Recipe

• This easy recipe is a vegan mac n cheese that doesn’t suck. The combination of vegetables, cashews, and nutritional yeast gives you a silky and creamy cheese sauce without the heaviness of dairy.
• If you need a meal that will actually fill you up, look no further than this Vegan Richa mac and cheese. Whoever thought of smothering pasta AND broccoli with hot cheese sauce deserves an award!
• The dairy-free cheese sauce of this skillet mac and cheese is not just for elbow pasta and broccoli. Like our vegan cheese sauce, you can use this recipe’s sauce for casseroles, dips, sandwiches, and toppings! 

Ingredients And Substitutions For Vegan Richa Mac and Cheese

Water – The liquid component of the vegan cheese sauce. 

Potato – Thickens the sauce thanks to its starch component. 

Carrots – Besides the added nutrients, carrots also provide this vegan mac and cheese sweetness.

Garlic – This aromatic veggie adds complexity to the decadent pasta dish. 

Onion powder – For extra depth of flavor without being overpowering. 

Diced green chiles – Provides a delicious spicy contrast to the rich cheese sauce.

Tomato – Contributes sweetness to the savory dish. 

Cashews – The secret behind the recipe’s fabulous cheese sauce’s creaminess without using dairy.

Broccoli – Makes every bite oh-so-satisfying. You can also use frozen broccoli!

Elbow pasta – Feel free to use any pasta you like, but pick something with grooves and pockets to catch all that yummy veggie cheese sauce. For a gluten-free mac and cheese, use gluten-free pasta!

Mustard – Mustard’s tanginess cuts through the cheese sauce’s richness for a well-balanced dish. 

Soy sauce – This umami addition acts as a flavor enhancer.

Nutritional yeast – Gives this Vegan Richa mac and cheese a “cheesy” flavor without dairy cheese.

Lemon juice – The added acidity boosts the cheesy taste of the vegan mac and cheese. 

Olive oil – Another secret to why the delicious dairy-free cheese sauce still has that satisfying creaminess. 

Paprika – Provides a nice, smoky flavor that really complements the savory cheese flavor of the dish. 

Sriracha – The kick from Sriracha and the richness of this vegan broccoli mac and cheese is simply a match made in heaven.

Salt – Taste as you go and adjust the amount of salt as needed.

Black pepper – Often overlooked, this hot spice is a must for the perfect mac and cheese.

This homemade vegan mac and cheese is easy to customize with extra veggies and sauce ingredients!

Try the dreamy dish with taco seasoning, or serve your bowl of cheesy macaroni with crumbled vegan bacon on top!

Tips For Making Vegan Mac and Cheese

Use Vegan Cheese

You can substitute nutritional yeast with any vegan cheese that melts well, such as cashew parmesan cheese alternative or dairy-free cheddar shreds.

Do Not Overcook the Broccoli

For the perfect crisp-tender texture, add the broccoli when there are only 2 minutes left until the macaroni is done. Don’t overcook the broccoli, or it will end up mushy.

Make It Extra Creamy

For a creamier cheese sauce, swap water with non-dairy milk like coconut milk!

Vegan Richa Mac n Cheese Recipe FAQs

More Delicious Vegan Pasta Recipes

• Vegan Bolognese Sauce
• Vegan Alfredo Sauce
• Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff
• Vegan Pasta Puttanesca
• Pumpkin Sage Pasta with Vegan Substitutes 

I found this recipe for Vegan Veggie Lasagna for 2 that I HAVE to try!

Yay! You have made it this far, and I am so glad! Hey – If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review & star rating ★ below.

Vegan Richa Mac and Cheese

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This Vegan Richa mac and cheese loads the classic comfort food with veggies and skips the dairy. It's rich, creamy, and incredibly simple to make.

Louisa

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 23 minutes minutes

Total Time 33 minutes minutes

Equipment

• Skillet
• Wooden spoon
• Pot
• Strainer
• Blender
• Saucepan

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups water
• 1 medium potato, peeled and cubed
• 1/3 cup carrots, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 4 oz diced green chiles
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1/4 cup cashews
• 2 1/2 cups broccoli, chopped
• 10 to 12 oz elbow pasta
• 3/4 tsp mustard
• 2 tsp soy sauce
• 4 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp sriracha
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp pepper, divided

Instructions

• Combine the water, potato, carrots, garlic, onion, chiles, tomato, and cashews in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cover and cook for 18 to 20 minutes or until the cubed potato is tender. Allow the mixture to cool slightly.
• Cook the elbow pasta according to package instructions. In the last 2 minutes of boiling, add the chopped broccoli. Drain the pasta and broccoli and set aside.
• Pour the vegetable mixture, mustard, soy sauce, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, olive oil, paprika, and sriracha into a blender. Blend for 1 minute, allow it to rest for 1 minute, then blend again until smooth.
• Transfer the vegan mac and cheese sauce to a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the salt and pepper. If the sauce is too thick, add more water to adjust its consistency.
• Bring the vegan cheese sauce almost to a boil. Taste and season as needed.
• Add the cooked pasta and broccoli to the sauce. Mix well to coat everything. Cover and cook for 3 minutes.
• Let the mac and cheese sit for 2 minutes, and sprinkle the remaining pepper over the pasta. Enjoy!

Notes

• You can substitute nutritional yeast with any vegan cheese that melts well, such as cashew parmesan cheese alternative or dairy-free cheddar shreds.
• For the perfect crisp-tender texture, add the broccoli when there are only 2 minutes left until the macaroni is done. Don’t overcook the broccoli, or it will end up mushy. 
• For a creamier cheese sauce, swap water with non-dairy milk like coconut milk!

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