Do you dream of an irresistible savory, surprisingly cheesy, creamy, nut-free, oil-free, and gluten-free vegan mac and cheese to cure you of your insatiable cravings for the real deal? Fear not, because the ultimate recipe is finally here, and you won't believe how surprisingly healthy it is for you- considering it is sweet potato and tahini based!
Learn how to make this incredible vegan sweet potato mac in the video below!
Watch the full video here on YouTube!
There are few nights when I come home after a long day and don't want to dive head first into a giant bowl of mac and cheese. And while avocado mac can satisfy this craving, I wanted to create a vegan mac and cheese recipe that was closer in appearance to a classic mac and cheese that would also be suitable for my friends with all kinds of dietary restrictions. This sweet potato mac tastes shockingly similar to the classic mac 'n cheese I used to love before going vegan. Being the sweet potato and tahini enthusiast that I am, why wouldn't I combine two of my favorite ingredients to create an irresistible cheese sauce?!
Ingredient rundown:
- Sweet potato: The base for this sauce that adds creaminess and a beautiful golden, "cheesy" color!
- Tahini: Adds creaminess and umami flavor to this vegan cheese sauce. This affects the quality of the final product and is a staple in my vegan pantry, as its so versatile!
- Nutritional yeast: The ultimate vegan staple, giving so many recipes a cheesy flavor! I love to buy it in bulk here.
- Non-dairy milk: Adds creaminess and thins the consistency.
- Lemon: Adds acidity for a cheesier flavor.
- Roasted garlic & onion: Infuse the vegan cheese sauce with rich, savory flavor.
- Pasta: I used cavatappi in the photos, but I also love using gluten-free penne.
Why you'll love this sweet potato based vegan mac and cheese:
- Incredibly delicious: This is my favorite way to make vegan mac and cheese- it's super creamy and surprisingly cheesy. The sweet potato flavor is definitely noticeable, but in the best way, leaving an impression without taking away from the cheesy, garlicky flavors at play.
- So easy: All you do is roast the sweet potato, garlic, and onion, cook the pasta, blend the sauce ingredients, and combine! This dish comes together in just under 40 minutes, most of that being passive time anyways.
- Few ingredients: You only need 10 inexpensive ingredients!
- Easily made gluten-free & oil-free: Simply omit the oil when roasting the garlic and onion, and this recipe will still be delicious. For a gluten-free option, use GF pasta (I like brown rice penne) and top with GF panko breadcrumbs if you'd like.
- Nut-free: Since this sweet potato mac is tahini based, it's nut free!
Ways to serve:
- Top with toasted breadcrumbs
- Top with my shiitake mushroom bacon or add roasted brussels sprouts
- Add broccoli, sautéed vegan sausage, peas, or any veggie you'd like!
- Top with my homemade vegan parmesan
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Recipe
The Best Sweet Potato Vegan Mac and Cheese (Gluten-free, Nut-free, Oil-free)
Ingredients
Sweet Potato "Cheese" Sauce
- 1 ½ cups roasted or cooked sweet potato about 1 sweet potato
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoon almond or other non-dairy milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup tahini
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 3 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder optional
Pasta
- ½ peeled yellow onion
- 1 head garlic
- 1 tablespoon olive oil optional
- 12 oz. brown rice penne or other gluten-free pasta, or regular elbow noodles if not gluten-free
- Gluten-free panko breadcrumbs for topping toasted (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425F. Slice off the very top of the garlic head. Drizzle the garlic head and onion half with olive oil, and wrap them in foil. (Omit olive oil if oil-free). Bake for 25-30 mins. Cook sweet potato at this time if needed (see notes).*
- Meanwhile, prepare pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta and set aside.
- Blend all ingredients for sweet potato "cheese" sauce, along with roasted onion and garlic, in a high speed blender until smooth. You may need to blend half of ingredients at a time if your blender is not large enough. If you are having trouble blending or your sauce is too thick, you can add more non-dairy milk 1 tablespoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency. Taste and add more salt if needed. If you want even more garlicky flavor, add the garlic powder.
- Combine pasta and sauce in large pot, heat and stir over medium-high heat if needed, and then serve! You can top it with or add toasted breadcrumbs, roasted broccoli, vegan parmesan, or my shiitake bacon!
Notes
Nutrition
Stephanie says
This looks so yummy! Bookmarked!
Zena | Zena 'n Zaatar says
Thanks for the love! Comment back when you try it! 🙂
Rebecca says
I made this last night and it was super simple and yummy.
Rebecca says
I made this last night and it was super simple and yummy.
Zena | Zena 'n Zaatar says
Awesome! Thank you for sharing Rebecca! 🙂
Bella says
needed to use up some sweet potatoes so i made this today and it was so good! definitely one of the best vegan mac n' cheese recipes i've tried yet.
Bella says
needed to use up some sweet potatoes so i made this today and it was so good! definitely one of the best vegan mac n' cheese recipes i've tried yet.
Zena | Zena 'n Zaatar says
That is awesome to hear!! Thank you for the love 🙂
Paul says
Making this as we speak. Question: the recipe mentions 1/2 an onion but I don’t see it in the instructions. I have a hand of a red onion but I’m concerned with throwing it into the sauce in fear it will turn the color brown? I may omit the onion all together. I’ll keep you posted ;). Can’t wait to see how this turns out!
Paul says
Making this as we speak. Question: the recipe mentions 1/2 an onion but I don’t see it in the instructions. I have a hand of a red onion but I’m concerned with throwing it into the sauce in fear it will turn the color brown? I may omit the onion all together. I’ll keep you posted ;). Can’t wait to see how this turns out!
Tammy says
Wow! I made this last night and my kids and I LOVED it. definitely the best vegan mac we've made (we've made a few cashew versions which we didn't like). Thanks for sharing!
Tammy says
Wow! I made this last night and my kids and I LOVED it. definitely the best vegan mac we've made (we've made a few cashew versions which we didn't like). Thanks for sharing!
Zena | Zen and Zaatar says
Aw I'm so happy to hear that! So glad you all loved it! Thanks for the love and support. Cheers! 🙂
Tricia says
I love this! It came out so good. I used Banza chickpea shells. My roommate thought the tahini flavor was too intense but I thought it was very well rounded. It's not giving me cheese vibes, it's definitely it's own thing. Savory, sweet, garlic-y, yum. Will be making it again 🙂
Zena | Zen and Zaatar says
Yay, I'm so happy to hear that!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Tara says
Hi!! I’d love to try this but I’m allergic to sesame. Is there an alternative to the tahini that you’d recommend? I know different nut butters are subbed sometimes. Thank you!
Zena | Zen and Zaatar says
I would recommend cashew butter, hope you love it!
Lauren says
I’ve tried several vegan Mac and cheese recipes. This is by far the best one yet. I made it tonight and put some broccoli on it. It was so good!
Cass says
I have been wanting to feel well enough to make this, and today is the day. I am curious as to if I can refrigerate or freeze the sauce/dish for future use/meal prep? Thank you so much for providing a vegan mac and cheese that does not include nuts! You have made my day.
Zena | Zen and Zaatar says
So excited you're going to try it! The sauce will keep in the fridge for a few days, I haven't tried freezing it, but I believe it could work as well! Hope you love it 🙂
Cass says
Finally made it. I LOVE the recipe, it's the only mac and cheese I think I will ever make. Thank you for such a delicious and easy recipe!! I even use the sauce like a nacho cheese sauce for chips and dip.
Lana says
I just tried this to use up a sweet potato. Didn't have any tahini on hand so I used some hummus. Still delicious and so simple! Thank you! 🙂
CHRISTIANE says
Great recipe ! It tastes really good. Thank you.
Zena | Zen and Zaatar says
I'm so glad you loved it, thank you for trying!!