Difficulty: Easy | Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes | Yields: 4 servings
Say goodbye to multiple pots and complicated steps! This incredibly creamy and “cheesy” vegan mac and cheese comes together in just one pot, from start to finish, in under 30 minutes. It’s the ultimate easy comfort food for any busy weeknight.
Ingredients
- 8 oz elbow macaroni (or other small pasta shape)
- 3 cups unsweetened plain vegan milk (almond, soy, or oat work best)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup finely chopped yellow onion (optional, but adds flavor!)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup nutritional yeast (essential for “cheesy” flavor)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder (for color)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions (Ready in 4 Simple Steps!)
- Sauté Aromatics (Optional): In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. If using, add the chopped onion and cook for 3-5 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. (Skip this step if you’re really pressed for time and want a super simple version, though the flavor is worth it!)
- Cook the Pasta: Add the dry macaroni to the pot. Pour in the vegan milk. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently to prevent the pasta from sticking.
- Simmer & Stir: Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to simmer, stirring often, for about 15-20 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed, creating a thick, creamy sauce.
- Finish & Serve: Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the nutritional yeast, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and turmeric. Mix well until everything is combined and the sauce is smooth and “cheesy.” Season generously with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
💡 30-Minute Tip
For the fastest mac and cheese, skip sautéing the onion and garlic. Just dump the dry pasta and milk in the pot, bring to a boil, then simmer. Add the spices and nutritional yeast at the end!
