Baked Mac N’ Cheese
Baked Vegan Mac n’ Cheese is the perfect side dish to any potluck, get together, or party! It’s quick, simple, easy, and allergy friendly! This recipe contains no dairy, eggs, gluten, soy, or nuts! If you don’t want it to be vegan, my pro tip is to add some extra flair by adding in some bacon! Everything is better with bacon. So let’s get cooking!
This post may contain affiliate links. See full disclosure HERE.
Ingredients & Substitutes
- gf elbow macaroni, or penne
- vegan soy free butter
- gf all-purpose flour
- salt
- white pepper
- onion
- garlic
- smoked paprika
- cayenne pepper
- oat milk, OR of choice
- vegan cheddar cheese
How to Make Baked Vegan Mac N’ Cheese
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni, cook for 8 – 9 minutes. Noodles should be slightly pliable but firm (not cooked all the way). Strain and set aside.
- In a heavy-bottomed large pot over medium heat, melt the vegan butter.
- Sprinkle the flour, white pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper over the melted butter, whisking until smooth and the mixture has thickened slightly.
- Stir in the milk ½ cup at a time ( feel free to eyeball it ), only adding the next half cup once the previous one has been incorporated entirely.
- Stir 12 oz of the vegan cheddar cheese into the milk/flour sauce until melted. Stir in the macaroni.
- Pour into a 3 quart baking dish. Top with the remaining 4oz cheese.
- Bake at 375 F for 30 minutes, till noodles are thoroughly cooked and the top begins to golden.
Common Questions
- Can you make Baked Vegan Mac n’ Cheese ahead of time? Yes!! To make it ahead of time, cook pasta & mix in the sauce. Refrigerate or freeze then bake when ready to eat.
- How long can Baked Vegan Mac n’ Cheese last in the fridge? This recipe is good for 5-7 days in the fridge.
- Can you freeze this recipe ahead of time? Yes! Cook the noodles, mix in the sauce and topping. Then freeze it for baking later. Bring to room temperature before baking or cook frozen at 400 for 50 mins covered with tinfoil, & 10 mins uncovered till golden brown.
- Are there any optional add-ins? Yes! Tons of ideas! Herbs like parsley, rosemary, Italian seasoning, or other ingredients like chicken, sautéed onions, bacon, and chives. All are delicious, have fun experimenting!
- Best way to reheat the pasta? I recommend reheating it in your oven for 10 mins or broil for 3-5 mins till it is nice and warm with a bit of crispness on the top and edges.
Other Favorite Pasta Recipes
Baked Vegan Mac n’ Cheese (Gluten, Soy, & Nut Free!)
Baked Mac n’ Cheese is the perfect side dish to any potluck, get together, or party! It’s quick, simple, and easy. You can even add some extra flair by adding in some bacon! Everything is better with bacon. So let’s get cooking…
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz gf elbow macaroni, or penne
- ⅓ cup vegan soy free butter
- ⅓ cup gf all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp white pepper
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp smoked paprika
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
- 3 ½ cups oat milk, OR of choice
- 12 oz vegan cheddar cheese, for sauce
- 8 oz vegan cheddar cheese, for topping
- 1/2 lb. bacon for topping, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni, cook for 7-8 minutes. Noodles should be slightly pliable but firm (not cooked all the way). Strain and set aside.
- In a large pot over medium heat, melt the vegan butter.
- Sprinkle the flour, salt, white pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper over the melted butter, whisking until smooth and the mixture has thickened slightly.
- Add in milk gradually, till all has been incorporated to the sauce.
- Stir 12 oz of the vegan cheddar cheese into the sauce until melted. Stir in the macaroni.
- Pour into a 9×13 baking dish. Top with the remaining 8oz cheese and the bacon.
- Bake at 375 F for 30 minutes, till noodles are thoroughly cooked and the top begins to golden. Alternatively, bake for 15 mins and broil on high for 4-5 mins, watching the top of your baked Mac n’ cheese carefully, as to not burn the top. Pull out when golden brown.
ENJOY!
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 35