Your whole family won’t believe this creamy Dairy Free Macaroni and Cheese contains no dairy! It will satisfy the pickiest of eaters!
When I gave up dairy it was very difficult for me to also give up my macaroni and cheese. Well… okay, honestly it was hard to give up cow’s milk dairy cheese in general.
There is something to be said about the distinct flavors of Gorgonzola, creamy Havarti or a sharp cheddar, and it is very difficult to replace them. I’ve tried just about every vegan cheese out there, but it’s just not the same (and they don’t make my tummy feel very good).
But macaroni and cheese? I’ve been eating it for as long as I can remember.
And I really don’t think it matters what age you are – young, old, or a thirty-something stay at home mom like me; macaroni & cheese is comfort food. Always has been, always will be.
Dairy Free Macaroni and Cheese Desperation:
I was determined to find a dairy-free macaroni replacement. Years ago I first made dairy-free cheese sauce out of raw cashews. It good, but cashews are expensive, not to mention they are very high in fat. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not generally one to count calories or fat content (especially healthy fats), but 2 cups of cashews to 4-5 cups of vegan cheese sauce is a little… lush.
I wanted to create a healthier dairy-free cheese sauce that was made from ingredients I already had in my pantry, was creamy, froze well, and satisfied not only me, but my children. It took a while to get the recipe just right, but once I did everyone was in agreement – they really loved this recipe for Dairy Free Macaroni and Cheese. We hope you do, too.
xoxo,
Megan
If you can’t do butternut squash, you might also try this Dairy Free Mac and Cheese, or this Vegan Cajun Mac and Cheese.

Dairy Free Macaroni & Cheese
Ingredients
- 12 ounces gluten free noodles (macaroni, spirals, shapes, etc...)
- 2 cups Vegan Cheese Sauce (recipe below)
Instructions
- Cook the noodles according to package directions. Strain.
- Place the noodles in a large mixing bowl and pour the Vegan Cheese Sauce over the noodles and gently stir to coat.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
I prefer Field Day Organic Gluten Free Pastas (locally, they are sold at Three Bears), but Tinkyada or Jovial is also good.
You can use this sauce immediately; however, I recommend letting it sit in the refrigerator overnight to allow the flavors to merry. The flavors will be milder on the second day, and I prefer its flavor then. I sometimes freeze a portion of this sauce in covered ice cube trays. When my girls need an added "incentive" to eat their veggies I can easily pull out a cube and defrost it in the microwave or on the stove top.
Vegan Cheese Sauce
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Angie Lockard
Sunday 28th of January 2018
Hi, Megan! I can't wait to try this recipe -- cashews are so expensive!! Do you think it would work to substitute coconut oil for the vegan butter, or is it needed for flavor?
Megan
Sunday 28th of January 2018
Hey Angie! If you can't do vegan butter or ghee, I would just omit it altogether and NOT add any coconut oil. I add the ghee more for flavor than anything else. BUT, this cheese sauce is still delicious without it. ;)
Krista
Thursday 18th of January 2018
I cannot believe dairy free mac and cheese can look this good!
Megan
Friday 19th of January 2018
Right?! SO good!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes)
Thursday 18th of January 2018
This looks perfectly creamy! Can't believe its dairy free.
Megan
Friday 19th of January 2018
Thanks Jocelyn! :)
Des
Thursday 18th of January 2018
I had no idea this could be made dairy-free. I am going to save this one for later.
Megan
Friday 19th of January 2018
Thanks Des!
Ashlyn
Wednesday 17th of January 2018
This looks so creamy and delicious! I’m totally impressed that it’s dairy free!
Megan
Wednesday 17th of January 2018
Awe, thanks Ashlyn! ;)