This cajun mac and cheese recipe is a must try! It is the perfect side dish for the next family reunion, barbecue or potluck, or as the ultimate comfort dish for you. Mac and cheese recipes are also an easy addition to your weeknight menu.
For more mac and cheese recipes, check out my Vegan Mac And Cheese, Instant Pot Chili Mac And Cheese, Nut-Free Vegan Mac And Cheese, and Sweet Potato Vegan Mac And Cheese. They are absolutely amazing!
Originally published June 28th, 2019.
Cajun Vegan Baked Mac And Cheese
This mac and cheese recipe takes ordinary pasta to another level. Macaroni and cheese bring joy and comfort to both young and old when seen on the table among the other dishes.
Adding the Creole/Cajun flavors make the flavors pop. I used my Homemade Creole Seasoning, which tastes amazing in this recipe, but you can also use store bought like Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning,
For the sausage, you can make my homemade version or use store-bought ones. If you are using the homemade version, make ahead of time and keep refrigerated.
Some of my favorite vegan sausage brands are:
- Beyond Sausage: Vegan, Gluten-Free
- Lightlife Smart Sausages – Vegan
- Tofurky Zesty Andouille – Vegan
- Field Roast Smoked Apple Sage – Vegan
How To Make Cajun Mac And Cheese?
- Boil pasta in salted water according to the package directions, drain pasta and set aside in the pot.
- Prepare the cashew sauce. In a high-speed blender, add cashews, water, nutritional yeast flakes, lemon juice, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and process until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the slices of sausages and cook until brown on both sides. Add bell pepper, green onion, garlic, Creole/Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper and until tender about 2 minutes.
- Gently stir in pasta to coat, pour the cashew sauce over the pasta and cook until the sauce becomes thick and bubbly.
- Sprinkle bread crumbs and shredded vegan cheese on top of pasta and bake in a preheated oven until heated through and the top is golden brown, about 15 minutes.
Tips For Making Cajun Baked Mac And Cheese
- If you are using a high-speed blender you don’t have to soak your cashews, however, if you are using a standard blender then it is best to soak cashews to soften them so that you will end up with a creamier sauce.
- You can make a stovetop version or you can bake your mac and cheese.
Other Vegan Southern Recipes To Try
- Southern Black-Eyed Peas (Vegan)
- Vegan Black Beans And Rice
- Southern-Style Collard Greens
- Vegan Southern-Fried Cabbage
- Vegan Sweet Potato Pie
- Vegan Dirty Rice
- Vegan Southern Green Beans And Potatoes
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Categories
- Categories: Gluten-Free, Vegan
- Courses: Entrée, Main Course, Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
(Per serving)- Energy: 360 kcal / 1505 kJ
- Fat: 14 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Carbs: 42 g
Cook Time
- Preparation: 15 min
- Cooking: 30 min
- Ready in: 45 min
- For: 8 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta
- 1 1/2 cup cashews
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon oil, I used avocado
- 2 vegan sausage, cut into 1/4 inch slices (*click link for homemade version)
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons cajun seasoning, or Creole seasoning, *click for link
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
Optional Topping
- 1 cup vegan cheese shreds, (optional)
- 1/4 cup brown rice bread crumbs, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven 400 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x13 casserole dish and set aside.
- Boil pasta in salted water according to the package directions, drain pasta and set aside in the pot.
- Prepare the cashew sauce. In a high-speed blender, add cashews, water, nutritional yeast flakes, lemon juice, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and process until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the slices of sausages and cook until brown on both sides. Add bell pepper, green onion, garlic, Creole/Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper and cook until tender, about 2 minutes.
- Gently stir in pasta to coat, pour the cashew sauce over the pasta, and cook until the sauce becomes thick and bubbly.
- Sprinkle bread crumbs and shredded vegan cheese on top of pasta and bake in a preheated oven at 400 F° until heated through and the top is golden brown, about 15 minutes.
Delicious recipe. One of my favs and so easy to make in advance as well as freeze some for later on. Thank you!
Hi!! I’m allergic to nuts but want to make this. Can I use great northern beans as you did in the nut free Mac and cheese recipe? If so do you recommend I alter the recipe in any other ways?
Rashida, that will be fine to substitute with northern beans.
Do the cashews need to be soaked?
Molly if you have a high-speed blender nope, if you don’t soak for a couple of hours.
This Mac and cheese recipe is so delicious, I substituted sunflower seeds (unsalted) for the cashews because of allergy and added 1 1/2 cups of water (I like the cheese consistency a little more saucy) and it was a big hit for dinner. I’ve made this recipe twice already and will be making it many more times. My son said he’s never eating boxed Mac and cheese again and that he likes when I make it so much better. Michelle your recipes are so good, thank you for sharing 🥰
Ewelina, that’s so awesome, I’m happy your son enjoyed it and prefers it to boxed mac and cheese. Thank you for sharing your feedback.
Tony’s seasoning contains gluten. It is labeled on the back.
Thank you Jessica, use my blend instead. Do you know of any brand on the market that’s gluten-free that is sold on Amazon?