Fun Frugal Feminine

womanhood. motherhood. sisterhood.

The Best Dairy-Free Mac and Cheese Dish to Pass

Posted by:

Deb

|

On:

|

, , , , ,

One thing about me: I’m allergic to dairy. When I bring a dish to pass EVER, this is it. My whole dairy-eating family always asks for it. This Dairy- Free Mac and Cheese can be made gluten free and in less than 30 mins! Its perfect as a side dish or paired with a protein and veggie for a weeknight dinner!

Ingredients:

  • 1 box elbow macaroni regular or gluten free
  • 3-4 cups dairy free milk of choice I go with unsweetened original almond milk
  • 4 TBSP Vegan butter I use country crock plant based butter, but smart balance and earth balance brands work
  • 4 TBSP flour can be substituted with 1:1 all purpose gluten free flour
  • 1 whole bag of your favorite dairy free cheddar “cheese” shreds Wegmans dairy free cheddar shreds are my go-to
  • 2 tsp dry mustard powder
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp Turmeric
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. 1
    Bring salted water to a boil and cook elbow macaroni according to box directions (usually takes around 10 mins)
  2. 2
    While pasta water is boiling, make a roux: melt your 4 tbsp of vegan butter over medium heat in a sauce pan. once butter is melted add the 4 tbsp flour and whisk as it makes a paste
  3. 3
    Slowly whisk in 3-4 cups of dairy free milk (depending on how thick you’d like your sauce: more milk = thinner sauce) the roux may be hard to get off the bottom of the sauce pan, make sure you’re using utensils you can scrape against your pan.
  4. 4
    Add mustard powder, turmeric, and garlic powder and continue to heat sauce as it slowly thickens
  5. 5
    Melt in your dairy free cheese. Drop the whole bag in and stir. Dairy free cheese may take more time than you expect and require you to increase the heat in order to melt. Stick with it, it will work.
  6. 6
    Cook your sauce to the desired thickness and add to strained elbow macaroni. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Variations:

this recipe has served me (and my whole family) for years and it truly can be made with any combination of ingredients.

  • If you’re low on dairy-free milk in the fridge, you can cut it with chicken broth (ask me how I know)
  • If you want an Alfredo vibe, substitute cheddar flavored cheese for mozzarella and parmesan, add crushed red pepper instead of turmeric and mustard powder.
  • If you want to make it extra creamy, melt in 4-6 oz of dairy-free cream cheese when you add the dairy free shreds

I love to dress this Mac and Cheese, its the perfect base for anything.

Some favorite add ins include:

  • Peas (canned or frozen, we boil the frozen with the macaroni)
  • French fried onions
  • Bacon Bits
  • Cajun seasoning

click to download the free printable recipe card! 

Download Now

Posted by

Deb

in