This one pot Vegan Broccoli Mac and Cheese is the perfect healthy 30 minute weeknight dinner! You need only 7 gluten and dairy free ingredients. I know you'll love the creaminess of this comfort food favorite and ease of clean up!
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS Vegan Broccoli Mac and Cheese RECIPE:
- only 7 ingredients
- all ingredients are easy-to-find and easy to prepare
- one-pot recipe -- few dishes and easy clean-up
- it’s vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free
- ready in under 30 minutes
Vegan Broccoli Mac and Cheese Ingredients:
Coconut oil or vegan butter
Every Mac and Cheese recipe starts with butter! This vegan version is no different. I used extra virgin coconut oil.
Extra virgin means it's filtered, so there's plenty of creaminess with less of the coconut taste.
Broccoli florets
The florets cook nicely in the pot and give the perfect texture to this vegan broccoli mac and cheese recipe!
Shallots
Shallots give this recipe a wonderful pop of flavor! You can also replace this ingredient with ¼ of a medium red onion, diced.
Elbow pasta
I used gluten-free lentil pasta for this recipe. You can substitute with a pasta of your choosing.
It's important to carefully check the amount of pasta you're adding since it matches the amount of plant-based milk in this recipe (you won't be cooking it in water first).
Most gluten-free pastas come in 4-6 serving boxes (between 250 and 350 grams). Regular (non gluten-free) pasta usually comes in packages with 8 servings. Make sure to add the right amount of pasta.
It's ok to estimate -- but be prepared to add a little extra plant-based milk if needed.
Cashew milk
Any plant-based milk will do! Cashew milk is my milk-of-choice because it has a neutral flavor and loads of creaminess.
I recommend steering away from coconut milk for this recipe if you want a traditional mac and cheese taste.
Garlic powder, Nutritional Yeast, and Salt
If you've seen my Vegan Parmesan Cheese Recipe (nut-free), you know that these three ingredients make up the perfect vegan cheese!
Garlic powder adds depth, nutritional yeast makes it creamy and nutty, and salt is an ingredient in all natural cheeses. The perfect trio!
Black Pepper
Black pepper really makes this dish feel like a real mac and cheese. Don't forget to add it to taste at the end!
This Vegan Broccoli Mac and Cheese recipe is SO creamy!
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU START:
MAKE IT YOUR OWN.
This is a very classic recipe. Add paprika, chili powder, or other spices you love in a mac and cheese recipe!
Double check the Pasta amount.
As I mentioned in the ingredients section above, most gluten-free pastas come in 4-6 serving boxes (between 250 and 350 grams). Regular (non gluten free) pasta usually comes in packages with 8 servings.
This recipe asks for 6 servings, or about 340 grams. It's ok to estimate (I do!) -- just be prepared to add a little extra plant-based milk if needed.
Use a neutral, natural flavored pasta.
I used Bionaturae Organic Gluten-Free Rice & Lentil Pasta (also soy-free). For a bean-based pasta, I think it tastes the most like traditional noodles.
I personally prefer this or a rice pasta (like Tinkyada) over a bean based pasta with a stronger flavor in this recipe.
Don't be intimidated -- it's really easy.
Totally easy, low maintenance, and perfect for every day!
One Pot Vegan Broccoli Mac and Cheese RECIPE:
PrintOne Pot Vegan Broccoli Mac and Cheese
This one pot Vegan Broccoli Mac and Cheese is the perfect healthy 30 minute weeknight dinner! You need only 7 gluten and dairy free ingredients. I know you'll love the creaminess of this comfort food favorite and ease of clean up!
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 5 1x
- Category: One Pot, Vegan, Comfort foods
- Method: One pot
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil or vegan butter
- 1 head broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 shallots, sliced thinly
- 5 servings elbow pasta (about 340 grams) -- I used gluten-free lentil pasta
- 2 ¼ cups cashew milk
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup nutritional yeast
- ½ teaspoon salt
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add oil to a pot on medium high heat. Add broccoli florets and shallot. Sauté, stirring on occasion for 5 to 7 minutes until veggies are soft and browning.
- Add cashew milk, garlic powder, and pasta. Allow to cook for the time directed on the pasta package, stirring on occasion at first and more consistently as the liquid absorbs. When the pasta is nearly al dente, remove from heat.
- Add nutritional yeast and salt and pepper to taste. Black pepper is especially tasty in this dish! Mix well and serve, adding a splash of cashew milk if the pasta is too dry.
Notes
Make it your own with paprika, chili powder, or other spices you love in a mac and cheese recipe!
Double check the Pasta amount. Most gluten-free pastas come in 4-6 serving boxes (between 250 and 350 grams). Regular (non gluten free) pasta usually comes in packages with 8 servings. This recipe asks for 6 servings, or about 340 grams. It's ok to estimate (I do!) -- just be prepared to add a little extra plant-based milk if needed.
I prefer a neutral, natural flavored pasta over a bean based pasta with a strong flavor for this recipe.
Keywords: Vegan broccoli mac and cheese, one pot vegan mac and cheese, broccoli mac and cheese, dairy free mac and cheese
HUNGRY FOR MORE?
CHECK OUT OUR OTHER ONE-POT PASTA RECIPES:
- Herby Vegan Alfredo Pasta
- One Pot Lentil Pasta
- Creamy Sun-dried Tomato Pasta
- Creamy Avocado Pasta
- Easy Pea Pesto Pasta
Or explore our tasty gluten-free Recipe Index <3
I know you’ll love this one!
❤︎ Jamie
Lauren
I am very impressed--the nutritional yeast substitute tastes like the real thing...no joke! Glad to be enjoying the Mac n' Cheese without the gluten and dairy again.
★★★★★
Jamie
Thank you Lauren! I'm so glad you're enjoying it!