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    Home » Recipes » Pasta and Noodles

    Modified: Mar 14, 2025 · Published: Oct 24, 2018 by Willow Moon · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

    Super Creamy Tofu Mac and Cheese

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    This Super Creamy Tofu Mac and Cheese is sure to take you to your happy place! It is healthy and satisfying. Made without cashews. 

    Tofu Mac and Cheese with fork and pan in background.

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    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    "My kids LOVE this mac and cheese! I love how healthy it is! - Anne"

    This Super Creamy Tofu Macaroni and Cheese was inspired by my Tofu Nacho Cheese Sauce which tastes great on a Vegan Black Bean Nacho Burger or Tofu Nachos.

    I started with the same ingredients for the base, then added in a few to make it taste more like mac and cheese.

    The results are a creamy cheesy pasta that is rich and indulging. It's much healthier than the original, but to make it even healthier you could add your favorite vegetables.

    For a spicy version try my Nacho Mac and Cheese.

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why You'll Love It
    • 🧾 Ingredients
    • 📖 Variations / Additions
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 🥡 Storage
    • ♨️ Reheating
    • 🍝 Other Vegan Pasta Recipes
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ❤️ Why You'll Love It

    • It has a creamy cheesy sauce but without the cheese.
    • It is rich and comforting just like classic mac and cheese, but it's healthier.
    • You can eat it as a main dish or a side dish. It's perfect for Thanksgiving.

    🧾 Ingredients

    Tofu Mac and cheese ingredients on a cutting board with labels.
    • Pasta: I used elbow pasta, but you could use straight macaroni, penne, rotini, or another short pasta. I used brown rice elbow noodles to make it gluten-free when I originally posted this recipe. When I updated it I used Banza chickpea pasta, which I love even more because of its protein content. Use your favorite gluten-free pasta.
    • Silken tofu (or soft tofu): Adds a creamy texture. I used a package of silken tofu found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. You could also use the shelf-stable variety.
    • Nutritional yeast: Adds a cheesy flavor. You can leave it out but it won't taste very cheesy.
    • Mustard powder: Adds a bite and balances the cheesy flavor. You could also use Dijon mustard or yellow mustard. If you do, you'll need about ½ a tablespoon.
    • Paprika: Paprika adds a smoky flavor.
    • Turmeric: Adds color and flavor. You can leave it out.
    • Corn starch or tapioca flour: When I originally posted this recipe I used corn starch, but found since then that I am intolerant to corn. You can use either, just note that you'll need twice as much tapioca flour.
    • Vegan butter: Adds a rich buttery flavor.
    • Salt and black pepper: Enhances flavors and adds flavor. I like to use sea salt.

    To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    📖 Variations / Additions

    • Vegetables: broccoli, red pepper, mushrooms, cauliflower, carrots
    • Greens: spinach, kale, collard greens
    • Shredded vegan cheese for extra flavor

    5 Secrets to Transforming Tofu

    Maple Dijon Baked Tofu Sandwich

    FREE 5 part email series to help you cook tofu like a pro.

    We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

    🔪 Instructions

    Pasta in a large pot of water that's boiling.

    Step 1: Cook pasta per directions in a medium saucepan until al dente, since they will also cook in the sauce. Reserve about ¼ cup of pasta water.

    Sauce ingredients in a food processor before blending.

    Step 2: While the pasta cooks, add all the sauce ingredients except the vegan butter into a food processor or high speed blender.

    Vegan cheese sauce in a food processor after blending.

    Step 3: Blend until smooth and creamy.

    Tofu cheese sauce in a non-stick pan with vegan butter.

    Step 4: Add the vegan cheese sauce to a large pan. Add vegan butter and cook on medium heat until the vegan butter melts.

    Elbow noodles added to creamy sauce in a skillet.

    Step 5: Add the pasta and pasta water and stir to combine.

    Silken Tofu Mac and cheese in a skillet with spoon.

    Step 6: Cook on medium heat and simmer until heated through.

    🥡 Storage

    This stovetop mac and cheese recipe will last about 5 days in an airtight container in the fridge.

    ♨️ Reheating

    You can reheat it in the microwave or on the stove. Add a splash of non-dairy milk or water to wake the pasta back up.

    Cooked pasta can dry up so it needs liquid to revive it. You can also add some shredded vegan cheddar or vegan butter if you don't mind processed foods.

    Tofu Mac and Cheese in a bowl.

    🍝 Other Vegan Pasta Recipes

    • Thai Peanut Noodles on a plate.
      Spicy Peanut Noodles
    • Nacho Mac and Cheese
      Nacho Mac and Cheese
    • Avocado Basil Pesto
      Avocado Basil Pesto
    • Vegan Macaroni Salad in two bowls.
      Vegan Macaroni Salad

    If you tried this Tofu Mac and Cheese Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and let me know how you like it in the 💬 comments below. I love hearing from you!

    This ultra-creamy mac and cheese is dairy-free, nut-free, and gluten-free. This is the side dish you're going to want on your Thanksgiving menu!

    📋 Recipe

    Tofu Mac and Cheese in a bowl.
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    4.84 from 12 votes

    Super Creamy Tofu Mac and Cheese

    This Super Creamy Tofu Mac and Cheese is sure to take you to your happy place! It is healthy and satisfying. Made without cashews.
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Diet Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time 20 minutes minutes
    Servings 4
    Calories 318kcal
    Author Willow Moon
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • food processor

    Ingredients

    • 8 ounces elbow noodles - I used brown rice
    • 14 ounces silken tofu
    • ¼ cup nutritional yeast
    • ½ teaspoon mustard powder
    • ½ teaspoon paprika
    • ½ teaspoon turmeric
    • 2 tablespoons corn starch
    • 2 tablespoons vegan butter - I used Earth Balance
    • Salt and pepper
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Cook noodles as per directions, but 3-4 minutes less than cooking time, since you'll be cooking noodles in the sauce later. Drain pasta, reserving a ¼ cup of the pasta water.
    • Mix all the sauce ingredients except the vegan butter in a food processor.
    • Pour the sauce into a pan. Add the vegan butter. Cook on medium heat until the vegan butter melts. Add pasta and pasta water. Simmer for about 5 minutes or until heated through.

    Notes

    If you have leftovers, add a little unsweetened plain almond milk (like 1-2 tablespoons per serving) to wake the pasta back up, so it's not so dry.
    If you don't mind processed foods, you can add a couple of slices of vegan cheddar that are chopped up for extra richness (or ½ slice per serving).

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    Nutrition

    Calories: 318kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 81mg | Potassium: 233mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 390IU | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1.9mg
    SIGN UP for my newsletter, get a FREE 30 Minute Vegan Dinners 7-Day Meal Plan as a welcome gift! 💌

    *Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.

    More Pasta

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      4.84 from 12 votes (9 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Suzy says

      January 10, 2025 at 3:30 pm

      This was good! I used bowtie pasta because I had it here. My sauce was a bit thick, so I was glad I reserved a bit more pasta water. And I added some frozen peas too. Definitely quick and tasty!5 stars

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        January 12, 2025 at 5:09 pm

        Thanks Suzy, I’m so glad you liked it!

        Reply
    2. Desiree says

      January 19, 2022 at 8:25 pm

      I've never used silken tofu before but found some recently. I wanted to make an easy high protein dinner and this was perfect.
      I added a little white miso, a tiny splash lemon juice and ACV, and some Franks Red Hot seasoning!
      So yum! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        January 20, 2022 at 12:29 pm

        Thanks Desiree, I'm so glad you liked it! Those sound like great additions!

        Reply
    3. Roger Nehring says

      October 15, 2019 at 3:00 pm

      This was tasty and creamy and very easy.5 stars

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        October 16, 2019 at 10:10 am

        Thanks Roger, I'm glad that you liked it!

        Reply
    4. Anne says

      November 21, 2018 at 7:42 am

      My kids LOVE this mac and cheese! I love how healthy it is!5 stars

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        November 21, 2018 at 8:50 am

        Thanks Anne!

        Reply

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    Super Creamy Tofu Mac and Cheese

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