This Vegan Italian Mac & Cheese brings together roasted vegetables, savory vegan sausage, and a creamy garlic cashew sauce for a comforting, plant-based meal that’s perfect for any night of the week.
Table of Contents
If you’re craving a comforting, hearty meal that’s also plant-based, this Vegan Italian Mac & Cheese is about to become your new favorite recipe. With its creamy, garlicky cashew sauce, savory vegan Italian sausage, and the deep flavors of roasted mushrooms and tomatoes, this dish offers a satisfying twist on a classic comfort food. Perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy weekend dinner, it’s a meal that will please everyone at the table, whether they’re vegan or not.
One of the things I love most about this recipe is its versatility. Not only is it easy to customize for different dietary needs—think gluten-free, soy-free, or nut-free options—but it also lends itself beautifully to meal prep. You can roast the vegetables and prepare the sauce ahead of time, making it a breeze to pull everything together when you’re ready to eat. Plus, the rich, creamy sauce made from roasted garlic and cashews delivers all the comfort you expect from mac & cheese without any dairy. Trust me, this is a dish that will have you coming back for seconds!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Vegan Italian Mac & Cheese is everything you want in a comfort food: rich, satisfying, and oh-so-creamy. The sauce, made from a blend of roasted garlic and cashews, is velvety smooth and feels indulgent, even though it’s entirely dairy-free.
But it’s not just about comfort—this recipe is packed with flavor. Roasted cremini mushrooms and cherry tomatoes add a deep, savory note, while vegan Italian sausage brings a hearty, satisfying bite. The garlic-infused cashew sauce ties everything together, creating a dish that’s bursting with layers of flavor in every bite.
Plus, it’s easy to make this mac & cheese work for different dietary needs. It’s naturally vegan and can be effortlessly adapted for mixed-diet families, although I bet you’ll find you won’t need to make any adjustments. (Omnivores won’t miss the dairy or meat.)
If you love this comfort meal, this Italian version brings a fresh, flavorful spin to the dish we all know and love. Instead of the traditional cheddar-based sauce, the roasted garlic and cashew blend adds a rich, creamy texture that perfectly complements the Italian-inspired ingredients. The addition of vegan Italian sausage and roasted vegetables like cremini mushrooms and cherry tomatoes infuses the dish with hearty, savory notes that elevate it beyond a simple pasta dish.
Whether you’re looking to impress at a family dinner or simply enjoy a cozy meal at home, this Vegan Italian Mac & Cheese offers all the comfort of the original with a flavorful, plant-based twist that everyone will enjoy.
What You Need To Make Vegan Italian Mac and Cheese
To bring this Vegan Italian Mac & Cheese to life, you’ll need a few key ingredients that pack a flavorful punch:
Vegetables
Cremini mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and a whole head of garlic form the base of this dish, adding depth and richness to every bite. The mushrooms and tomatoes roast to perfection, becoming sweet and savory, while the garlic infuses the sauce with a robust, aromatic flavor.
Seasonings & Marinade
A mix of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, dried thyme, and freshly ground pepper creates a rich marinade that coats the vegetables. This combination brings out the natural sweetness of the tomatoes and mushrooms, while adding a tangy, umami kick that enhances the overall dish.
Pasta
Cavatappi pasta is the perfect choice for this recipe, with its corkscrew shape catching every bit of the creamy sauce. Its sturdy texture holds up well against the hearty ingredients, but feel free to use your favorite pasta shape if you prefer something different.
Vegan Italian Sausage
This adds a savory, hearty element to the dish, mimicking the traditional sausage found in classic Italian pasta dishes. It’s the perfect complement to the creamy sauce and roasted vegetables, making the mac & cheese even more satisfying.
Cashew Cream Sauce
The sauce is made with roasted garlic, vegetable broth, cashews, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper. Blended to a smooth, velvety consistency, this dairy-free sauce is rich, creamy, and full of flavor, tying all the ingredients together in a deliciously indulgent way.
Fresh Basil
Torn leaves of fresh basil are sprinkled over the finished dish, adding a burst of herbal freshness that brightens the rich, savory flavors of the mac & cheese. It’s the perfect finishing touch to this comforting meal.
How To Make Vegan Italian Mac and Cheese
Here’s how to make this delicious Vegan Italian Mac & Cheese:
Roast the Vegetables
Start by marinating the cremini mushrooms and cherry tomatoes in a flavorful blend of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, dried thyme, and freshly ground pepper. Once everything is well-coated, spread the vegetables on a baking sheet along with a whole head of garlic wrapped in foil. Roast in the oven until the vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized, and the garlic is soft and fragrant. This step infuses the dish with a deep, savory flavor that forms the backbone of the recipe.
Cook the Pasta
While the vegetables are roasting, cook your cavatappi pasta according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. The pasta should have a firm bite to it, as it will continue to cook slightly when baked with the sauce and vegetables. Once done, drain the pasta and set it aside until you’re ready to assemble the dish.
Prepare the Vegan Sausage
Next, sauté the vegan Italian sausage in a skillet over medium heat. As it cooks, break it up with a spoon to create bite-sized crumbles that will mix evenly throughout the pasta. This step adds a hearty, protein-rich component to the mac & cheese, making it even more satisfying.
Blend the Cashew Sauce
Once the garlic is done roasting, it’s time to prepare the creamy cashew sauce. In a high-speed blender, combine the roasted garlic cloves, vegetable broth, soaked cashews, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and velvety. This sauce is the star of the dish, bringing a rich, cheesy flavor without any dairy.
Assemble the Dish
In a large baking dish, combine the cooked pasta, roasted vegetables, and sautéed vegan sausage. Pour the cashew sauce over everything, stirring gently to ensure all the ingredients are well-coated. Pop the dish back in the oven for a few minutes to meld the flavors together and allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
Garnish & Serve
Once out of the oven, top the mac & cheese with freshly torn basil leaves for a burst of color and herbal freshness. Serve immediately and enjoy the comforting, flavorful goodness of this Italian-inspired vegan dish.
Meal Prep & Storage Tips
Here’s how to make the most of your time with some handy meal prep and storage tips for this Vegan Italian Mac & Cheese:
Prep Ahead
To streamline your dinner routine, you can prepare the key components of this dish in advance. Roast the vegetables and make the cashew sauce up to three days ahead of time. Simply store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble the mac & cheese. This makes it easy to throw everything together for a quick and comforting weeknight dinner.
Storage
Got leftovers? No problem! Store any remaining mac & cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it will stay fresh for up to five days. This dish reheats beautifully, making it a great option for meal prepping lunches or easy dinners later in the week.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy your leftovers, you have a couple of reheating options. For the best results, reheat the mac & cheese in the oven at 350°F until it’s warmed through. If you’re short on time, you can also microwave individual portions for a quicker meal. Either way, the flavors will remain just as delicious as when it was freshly made.
Freezing
If you want to make the cashew sauce ahead of time, you can freeze it for up to three months. Just thaw it overnight in the fridge, then give it a quick blend before using to restore its smooth, creamy texture. This is a great way to ensure you always have a rich, dairy-free sauce on hand for whenever a mac & cheese craving strikes.
What To Serve With Sheet Pan Veggie Tacos
Here are some delicious side dishes that pair perfectly with this comfort meal:
Garlic Bread
You can’t go wrong with a side of garlic bread. The crispy, buttery texture of the bread complements the creamy mac & cheese, adding a satisfying crunch to each bite. Whether you make your own or pick up a loaf from your favorite bakery, it’s the perfect way to round out the meal.
Green Salad
A fresh, crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette is an excellent way to balance the richness of the mac & cheese. Choose greens like arugula, spinach, or mixed lettuces, and toss them with a simple lemon or balsamic vinaigrette. The lightness and acidity of the salad provide a refreshing contrast to the hearty pasta dish.
Roasted Vegetables
Add some extra texture and nutrition to your meal with a side of roasted vegetables. Brussels sprouts, asparagus, or even more roasted garlic are great options. The caramelized edges and tender interiors of the roasted veggies enhance the depth of flavor in the mac & cheese while keeping the meal balanced.
Herb-Infused Olive Oil
For an extra burst of flavor, drizzle some herb-infused olive oil over the top of your pasta just before serving. Whether it’s rosemary, basil, or garlic-infused oil, this simple addition adds an aromatic touch and elevates the dish to a whole new level of deliciousness.
Vegan Italian Mac and Cheese
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Vegan Italian Mac & Cheese brings together roasted vegetables, savory vegan sausage, and a creamy garlic cashew sauce for a comforting, plant-based meal that’s perfect for any night of the week.
Ingredients
- 6 oz cremini mushrooms
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 1 head (12 cloves) + 6 cloves garlic, divided
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce, shoyu, or tamari
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper (plus more to taste)
- 1/2 lb cavatappi
- 14 oz vegan Italian sausage
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup raw, unsalted cashews (Soak overnight if not using a high-speed blender.)
- 1 Tbsp nutritional yeast
- salt, to taste
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
Instructions
- Prep the shrooms: Clean and cut the mushrooms in quarters.
- Make the marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk the olive oil, the balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, thyme and pepper. Stir in the mushrooms and tomatoes, mixing well so that everything is coated. Transfer to a baking dish with the marinade.
- Roast the garlic: Place the peeled cloves of 1 garlic head in a piece of foil and wrap it into a ball. Place it in a baking dish along with the vegetables. Roast for 45 minutes, stirring the vegetables every 15 minutes.
- Cook the pasta: Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions.
- Cook the sausage: While the pasta and vegetables cook, in a medium skillet cook the sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. (You may need to chop the sausage depending on the firmness of the product.)
- Make the roasted garlic cream sauce: When the garlic is done roasting, prepare the sauce: In a high-speed blender, combine the roasted garlic, vegetable broth, cashews, nutritional yeast, salt and pepper. Blend until smooth.
- Combine the dish: When the pasta is done cooking, add the pasta and sausage to the pan with the mushrooms and tomatoes. Stir well to combine and pour the sauce on top. Mix well.
- Bake: Place in the oven and bake for 10 minutes.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven and top with the fresh basil.
Notes
- Gluten Allergy? Use gluten-free pasta instead of cavatappi.
- Soy Allergy? Replace the vegan Italian sausage with a crumbled soy-free tempeh.
- Nut Allergy? Swap the cashews with pepitas.
- Spoiler Alert: Italian Vegan Mac & Cheese will stay fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a week.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Main Meals
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
FAQs
Can I make this dish gluten-free?
What can I use instead of cashews in the sauce?
How can I add more protein to this dish?
Can I freeze leftovers?
Other Recipes You May Enjoy
Free 1-Week Dinner Plan
