• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Spring Recipes
  • Recipe Index
  • Resources
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
Vibrantly G-Free
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Spring Recipes
  • Recipe Index
  • Resources
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Spring Recipes
    • Recipe Index
    • Resources
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » One Pot

    Vegan Broccoli Mac and Cheese (one pot, gluten-free)

    Published: Mar 3, 2021 · Modified: Mar 21, 2023 by Jamie · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    Pinterest PIN 1
    Pinterest PIN 2
    Pinterest PIN 3

    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!

    one pot gluten and dairy free mac and cheese with broccoli in a serving bowl

    Pin90
    Share
    Pocket
    Tweet
    92 Shares

    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!

    This recipe served in a bowl -- overhead view with maximum creaminess!

    Bite shot of this recipe -- YUM!

    One pot vegan broccoli mac and cheese, freshly prepared, still in the pot

    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:

    Print

    One Pot Vegan Broccoli Mac and Cheese

    one pot gluten and dairy free mac and cheese with broccoli in a serving bowl
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    ★★★★★

    5 from 1 reviews

    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!

    • Author: Jamie -- Vibrantly g-Free
    • 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

    Units Scale
    • 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

    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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

    Did you make this recipe?

    Please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in comment field further down. Thank you!

    Hero shot of vegan broccoli mac and cheese recipe, ready to eat!

    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

    Pin90
    Share
    Pocket
    Tweet
    92 Shares
    « Vegan Parmesan Cheese >> nut free, 3 ingredients
    Gluten Free Irish Soda Bread >> easy, one-bowl »

    Subscribe

    for email updates!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lauren

      May 11, 2021 at 7:13 pm

      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.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Jamie

        May 12, 2021 at 5:10 pm

        Thank you Lauren! I'm so glad you're enjoying it!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    Primary Sidebar

    Hey Friend!

    A headshot of Jamie, the blogger behind Vibrantly G-Free, outside in a forest wearing a blue top.

    I'm Jamie -- a former math and science teacher, now full-time food blogger and photographer. I love to live on-the-go with tasty food to take along!

    More about me →

    Currently Trending

    • Three crusty gluten free french baguettes freshly baked on a pan.
      Foolproof Gluten-Free French Baguette
    • Hero image of a slice of dairy free tiramisu with fresh berries on top and a piece of chocolate with a mint leaf on the side of the plate.
      Impossibly Authentic Dairy Free Tiramisu
    • Side view of a bowl of coconut dairy-free whipped cream with a scoop removed to show the light and fluffy texture.
      Essential Dairy-Free Whipped Cream in 5 minutes
    • enjoying gluten free food on the beach
      How to go Gluten Free - 10 BEST tips for Beginners
    • A grocery shopping bag with "Printable Gluten Free Grocery List" text overlay.
      Printable Gluten Free Grocery List + 10 Tips!
    • Side view of a baked salmon cake with steamed broccoli, dill pickle chips, lemon wedges and a sprig of fresh dill.
      Easy Baked Salmon Cakes Recipe

    Spring Recipes

    • Two beautiful bowls of this easy instant pot tomato soup
      Easy Instant Pot Tomato Soup
      ★★★★★
      Cook Time40 minutes
    • Six gluten free strawberry muffins with chocolate chips and butter on the side.
      Gluten-Free Strawberry Muffins with Chocolate (dairy-free)
      ★★★★★
      Cook Time25 minutes
    • An easy shrimp paella served in a bowl with a lemon wedge and garnished with parsley.
      Super Easy Paella Recipe
      ★★★★★
      Cook Time40 minutes
    • Tuscan Chicken Salad on a plate with fresh basil leaves, dressing in a jar, and kalamata olives.
      Best Easy Tuscan Chicken Salad
      ★★★★★
      Cook Time20 minutes
    • Top view of a cast iron skillet with vegan vodka pasta.
      Flashy Vegan Vodka Pasta from your pantry
      ★★★★★
      Cook Time15 minutes
    • Side view of a glass dish of healthy baked chicken fajitas roasted to perfection and ready for serving with fresh cilantro and lime wedges on the side.
      Healthy Baked Chicken Fajitas you'll crave
      ★★★★★
      Cook Time35 minutes

    Footer

    About your recipe developer

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Former math and science teacher, now full-time food blogger and photographer. I love to live on-the-go with tasty food to take along! More about me →

    My Favorites

    A serving bowl of dairy-free mashed potatoes garnished with green onions.
    A serving bowl of Italian Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes garnished with rosemary.
    A skillet of caramelised sauteed peppers and onions ready to serve.

    Copyright © 2023 · Vibrantly g free