3-Ingredient Vegan Mac and Cheese (2024)

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This 3-Ingredient Vegan Mac and Cheese is the easiest, fuss-free traditional mac and cheese recipe of all time. All you need is one pot, 30 minutes, and toppings of choice. The whole family will love this spin on the childhood classic.

This isn’t just any vegan mac and cheese recipe. It’s the easiest one-pot mac and cheese that requires little to no effort. No homemade vegan cheese sauce recipe, no high-speed blender, immersion blender, food processor or casserole dish required.

If you’re short on time and ingredients yet still want flavor-packed comfort food, this stovetop version is the recipe for you.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Plant milk:We used unsweetened oat milk, but any of the unsweetened non-dairy milks will work. If you prefer homemade milks, try ourVegan Almond Milk(without the added dates!).
• Pasta:Our favorite is elbow macaroni to keep this mac and cheese as classic as possible. Opt for your favorite shape of pasta.
• Vegan cheese:Vegan cheese shreds or sliced cheese will work. We prefer vegan cheddar cheese from brands such asFollow Your Heart,Miyoko’s Creamery, orViolife, but a vegan mozzarella will work well, too. If you have a block of vegan cheese, grate it before adding to the pot.

Add-ins + Variations

• Seasonings:We seasoned this mac and cheese with classic salt and black pepper, but if you want to take the flavor of your mac and cheese to the next level, season with additional spices such as onion powder, garlic powder, nutritional yeast, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika to taste.
• Veggies:Make this mac and cheese heartier and more nutritious with the addition of added veggies. Either add the veggies to the boiling water while the pasta simmers or roast them separately and stir them into the finished pasta before enjoying. We like to add broccoli florets, frozen peas, chopped spinach, or any other veggie that needs to get used up!
• Protein:We love adding proteins such asCrispy Tofu, vegan sausage,Carrot Hot Dogs,Tofu Bacon, or even chopped uporVegan Chicken Nuggetstossed in buffalo sauce.
• Cheesy flavor:If you’re a cheese lover, add additional cheesiness and top with Vegan Parmesan or nutritional yeast for an ultra cheesy taste.
• Fresh herbs:​To make this vegan macaroni taste fresh and light, top with your favorite fresh herbs such as flat-leaf parsley, cilantro, or fresh chives.

Equipment Needed

• Large pot
• Spatula

How to Make 3-Ingredient Vegan Mac and Cheese

1. Bring the milk to a boil.Pour the oat milk or milk of choice into a large pot and bring to a boil over medium heat.
2. Cook the pasta.Once boiling, add in the macaroni noodles and lower the heat to a simmer. Cook, often stirring, until the noodles are al dente, and the liquid has been absorbed, about 10 minutes.
3. Stir in the milk and cheese.Once the pasta has cooked through, stir in the remaining 1/4 cup of oat milk along with the vegan cheese. Mix the cooked pasta until the cheese has fully melted and has a creamy texture.
4. Serve.Season with salt and black pepper to taste, then serve immediately while hot.

Recipe FAQs

Serving Suggestions

There’s nothing better than a classic bowl of vegan mac and cheese as an easy lunch, snack, or weeknight dinner.

If you want to make this mac and cheese a complete meal, here are a few of our favorite ways to serve it:

Storage Instructions

Leftover mac and cheese will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. Store in an airtight container to retain its moisture.

Reheat leftovers in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of extra milk or vegetable stock to make it creamy and saucy again.

We haven’t tested freezing this vegan mac and cheese, but we’re not sure if it would work well. Cook pasta is difficult to freeze as it typically degrades in texture and becomes mushy upon reheating.

Make sure you tag usonInstagram@sweetsimpleveganand @consciouschris and hashtag#sweetsimpleveganif you recreate any of ourrecipes, we love tosee your photos!

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Nutrition facts label provided by Nutri Fox.

Disclaimer:The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional’s advice.This page may containaffiliatelinks, which simply means that we earn a commission if you purchase through those links, but your price remains the same. Thank you for supporting Sweet Simple Vegan!