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.

Close up of creamy hidden veggie vegan mac and cheese made with potatoes and carrots

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.

Healthy vegan mac and cheese with hidden vegetables, topped with pepper for added flavor

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.

Close-up of creamy vegan mac and cheese made from potatoes and carrots and topped with breadcrumbs for a baked mac and cheese version, served in a white bowl

More Healthy Dinner Recipes

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

Close up of creamy hidden veggie vegan mac and cheese made with potatoes and carrots
4.34 from 3 ratings

Hidden Veggie Vegan Mac & Cheese

You would never know that this vegan mac & cheese is made from potatoes and carrots! An ultimate comfort food made healthy. Nut-free and oil-free.

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!

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!
Calories: 425kcal, Carbohydrates: 84g, Protein: 16g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 0.3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Sodium: 965mg, Potassium: 771mg, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 5098IU, Vitamin C: 19mg, Calcium: 98mg, Iron: 2mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @booboosbakeryy with hashtag #booboosbakery on Instagram. We love to see what you make!