Creamy Dairy Free Mac and Cheese for Kids Easy Homemade Recipe
A quick, creamy, and comforting dairy free mac and cheese recipe perfect for kids and families, made with a velvety cashew base and nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor without dairy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus soaking time for cashews)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes (excluding cashew soaking time)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 3/4 cup raw cashews (about 110 grams), soaked for at least 4 hours or overnight
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (240 ml) or oat milk
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast (20 grams)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or dairy-free butter (30 ml)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard powder (optional)
- Pinch of pepper
Instructions
- Soak the cashews: Place 3/4 cup raw cashews in a bowl and cover with water. Soak for at least 4 hours or overnight. If short on time, pour boiling water over them and soak for 1 hour.
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions (usually 8-10 minutes) until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce: Drain the soaked cashews and add them to your blender. Pour in 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 2 tablespoons olive oil or dairy-free butter, 1/4 cup nutritional yeast, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder (optional), and a pinch of pepper.
- Blend until silky: Blend on high speed for 1-2 minutes until the sauce is completely smooth and creamy with a thick, velvety texture.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Return the drained pasta to the pot or a large mixing bowl. Pour the sauce over the pasta and stir gently until every piece is coated.
- Heat and serve: Warm the combined mac and cheese gently on low heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. The sauce should thicken slightly and coat the noodles perfectly.
Notes
Soak cashews well for a silky sauce. Use gluten-free pasta if needed. Sunflower seeds can replace cashews for nut allergies but will alter texture. Add a splash of almond milk if sauce is too thick or simmer longer if too thin. Blend sauce right before serving for best texture. Heat gently to avoid sauce separation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximate)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 2.5
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 9
Keywords: dairy free mac and cheese, kids recipe, creamy mac and cheese, vegan mac and cheese, dairy free, easy dinner, plant-based, gluten-free option