Mac & Not Cheese


I know that I've definitely started blog posts like this in the past, but here it goes again: After Sarah and I took the plunge and decided to cut dairy out of our diet in addition to meat, one of the most sorely missed dishes still remains Mac & Cheese. And, by the way, I'm not talking about gourmet, oven-baked, fancy cheese, bread crumb, specialty mac 'n cheese. I mean Kraft. Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. The Blue Box. The Cheesiest. That stuff was the best.

Fortunately, we've found a replacement on One Green Planet that is super delicious! This Mac & Not Cheese has an absolutely fantastic flavor, is nice and creamy, and oh so satisfying.

Here's what you need:
- 1 lb. elbow macaroni
- 1/2 cup butter (we use vegan Earth Balance)
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
- 3 cups non-dairy milk (we recommend almond milk!)
- 2 tsp. salt
- 2 tbsp. tomato paste
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 tbsp. agave nectar


Here's what you do:
- Cook the pasta according to the package. Drain and return to pot.
- While the pasta is cooking, in a medium saucepan, melt your butter. Once it is melted, whisk in your flour to form a roux.
- Then, add in remaining ingredients except for the agave and lemon juice. Bring to a boil and simmer a few minutes to thicken. You want it to reach the consistency of a cheese sauce (and it will!) 
- After it thickens, stir in agave nectar and lemon juice.
- Pour it over your macaroni and mix to coat!


I'm so glad that we found a great substitute for one of our most-craved childhood comfort foods (and college comfort food... and post-college comfort food). This recipe makes a LOT, so feel free to cut in half unless you want leftovers!

Do you have any great mac 'n cheese substitutes? Share with us below!

Sarah & Nick

2 comments

  1. UnknownJanuary 14, 2016 at 9:29 AM

    My fiancé and I used this cheese recipe to make vegan nachos last night (we have also used it to make delicious mac and cheese)...WOW WOW they were so good!!!!!! Thank you!

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    Replies
    1. Sarah WissingerJanuary 15, 2016 at 8:59 AM

      Hi Kim! That is awesome - thank you so much for sharing! This may be crazy but it's never even occurred to me to use this cheese sauce for anything else, hahah. Now I REALLY want to make some nachos! Have a great weekend!

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