Hidden Veggie Vegan Mac & Cheese
You would never know that this Hidden Veggie Vegan Mac & Cheese is made from potatoes & carrots! An ultimate comfort food made healthy, nut-free & oil-free.
You’ll be amazed at how delicious this Hidden Veggie Vegan Mac & Cheese is, especially since it’s made with healthy ingredients like potatoes and carrots! This ultimate comfort food is nut-free, oil-free, and packed with hidden vegetables, making it a nutritious option for everyone.
When I think of comfort food, I think of mac & cheese. It’s creamy, satisfying, and warming. This vegan version tastes just as indulgent as the classic recipe. I made this dish for my dad without telling him it was healthy, and he couldn’t tell the difference. Try it out on friends or family for a fun surprise!
Knowing that this vegan mac and cheese is loaded with veggies makes it even better. This simple recipe is vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, and oil-free — proving that healthy eating can be delicious and satisfying.
Why You’ll Love This Hidden Veggie Mac and Cheese
- Sneaky Veggies – packed with hidden nutrients from potatoes and carrots, making it perfect for picky eaters.
- Creamy & Delicious – I can’t believe it’s not cheese! My twist on the “I can’t believe it’s not butter” slogan. Enjoy the comforting flavors of classic mac & cheese without the dairy.
- Kid-Approved – a family-friendly recipe that even kids will love!
- Easy to Make – this recipe is really easy to prepare, making weeknight dinners a breeze.
- Versatile Sauce – use the creamy cheese sauce countless ways, not just in mac & cheese!
- Vegan, Nut-Free & Oil-Free
Ingredients Needed
Scroll down to the recipe card to get the full recipe with measurements.
- Gold Potatoes – gold potatoes are perfect for creating a creamy base for the sauce.
- Carrots – packed with vitamins, carrots enhance the flavor and add some orange pigment to the sauce.
- Non-Dairy Milk – unsweetened non-dairy milk adds creaminess to the sauce.
- Nutritional Yeast – this provides a cheesy flavor and several B vitamins.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – adds a tangy kick that balances the flavors.
- Seasonings – salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and turmeric.
- Pasta – your choice of pasta (gluten-free or otherwise) to serve with the cheese sauce! Or, serve the cheese sauce a different way (see below).
How to Make Hidden Veggie Cheese Sauce
Veggies, of course! Steam or boil potatoes and carrots, then blend them with plant milk, nutritional yeast, apple cider vinegar, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of turmeric for color and added nutrients. Blend until smooth and creamy.
Other Ways to Enjoy Veggie Cheese Sauce
The best part about this vegan cheese sauce is that it can be enjoyed countless different ways! Not only does it provide a creamy texture and rich flavor, but it also adds an extra hidden serving of veggies.
Here are some of my favorite serving suggestions for the vegan cheese sauce:
- Healthier Mac & Cheese – toss it with your favorite pasta (regular or gluten-free pasta, depending on preference) for a hearty dish.
- Baked Mac & Cheese – mix the cheese sauce with cooked pasta, add steamed broccoli or spinach (optional), and bake topped with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Queso Dip – warm the cheese sauce and serve as a dip with tortilla chips for a delicious appetizer.
- Grain Bowl – drizzle it over a taco salad or grain bowl, such as my Cauliflower, Sweet Potato & Chickpea Buddha Bowls.
- Tacos/Burritos – spread it on tacos or drizzle it over burritos for a creamy element.
- Loaded Potatoes – drizzle the cheese sauce over my Quinoa Stuffed Sweet Potatoes or over your favorite baked potato recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the cheese sauce last in the fridge?
Store the cheese sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
How can I add more protein to this recipe?
To boost the protein content you can add in silken tofu or white beans directly into the cheese sauce when blending. Just keep in mind that you may need to incorporate a little more non-dairy milk depending on how much tofu or beans you add in order to maintain the creamy consistency.
How do I adjust the consistency of the cheese sauce?
If you find the sauce is too thick, add a splash more non-dairy milk to reach your desired consistency. For a thicker sauce, simmer it on low heat until it reduces, or blend in some tofu or beans to thicken.
Can I use other types of potatoes for the cheese sauce?
Gold potatoes create the perfect creamy base for the sauce, but you can experiment with other types of potatoes as well.
More Healthy Dinner Recipes
- Chickpea, Sweet Potato and Lentil Curry
- Easy Vegan Chili
- Quinoa Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- Baked Tofu, Spinach & Chickpea Quinoa Bowl
- Black Bean & Sweet Potato Veggie Burgers
If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and ★★★★★ star rating below letting me know how you liked it! This helps others find my recipes. I appreciate your support, as always. xo, Megan
Hidden Veggie Vegan Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 golden potatoes, medium size
- 2 carrots
- ¾ cup non-dairy milk, unsweetened, I use soy milk
- ½ cup nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- 12 ounces pasta, use gluten-free if needed
Instructions
- Peel the skin off the potatoes and cut into chunks. Cut the carrots into chunks. Add the chopped potatoes and carrots to a steamer and steam until fork-tender, about 20-25 minutes. Alternatively, add them to a pot of boiling water and boil until fork-tender, about 10-15 minutes.
- Cook the pasta per package instructions.
- Once cooked, transfer the potatoes and carrots to a blender, along with the non-dairy milk, nutritional yeast, apple cider vinegar, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, turmeric. Blend on high until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.
- Taste the sauce and adjust for seasonings. Pour the sauce in with the cooked and strained pasta. Mix through. Enjoy!
Equipment
Notes
- You may have leftover cheese sauce, but it’s super versatile and can be used in a variety of ways—think tacos, burritos, grain bowls, or even as a creamy dip. See the blog post above for ideas!
Can sweet potatoes be used in place off white potatoes
Sweet potatoes should work just fine! The sauce might be a little sweeter and have a vibrant orange color, but I’m sure it will still be delicious. I’d love to hear how it turns out if you try it!
This dish is too good! The cheese sauce is so flavorful and creamy. Will be making this dish over and over again!
Awe, I’m so glad you liked it! Thank you for sharing!