Vegan Jalapeno Mac and Cheese Recipe (2024)

This vegan jalapeno mac and cheese recipe is creamy, spicy, and loaded vegetables blended into an easy dairy free sauce! It’s light, easy to make, and you won’t even notice the added veg.

This is a great alternative to boxed macaroni and cheese, with added vitamins, nutrients, and fiber from the vegetables. Serve with a light salad and garlic bread for a fantastic meal!

When you want to kick your mac and cheese up a notch – this bright & spicy jalapeno mac is here to bring the heat. Roasted jalapeno peppers add a ton of flavor to this delicious creamy vegan and dairy free sauce.

Start by roasting your vegetables on a sheet pan, blend into a sauce, and toss with your favorite macaroni pasta. Not only delicious, this is a super easy recipe to make, and great for anyone who likes a little spice!

This Vegan Jalapeno Mac and Cheese Recipe Is:

• Creamy
• Rich
• Savory & Spicy
• Flavorful
• Loaded with Vegetables
• Vegan, Vegetarian, and can easily be made Gluten Free
• Ready in under 45 minutes for a quick easy weeknight meal

Inexpensive and Affordable Family Pasta Recipes

I love how inexpensive homemade mac and cheese to make! This recipe uses a lot of ingredients you would have in your dry pantry or cupboards – most of which you probably have on hand. Keeping a well-stocked pantry makes it easy to come up with delicious and tasty meals using a few staples you can rotate.
I made a list of my Top 125 Plant-Based Pantry Staples that always keep stocked. And you can check out all my favorite pantry staple ingredients in my Amazon shop here. By stocking up on whole ingredients you can cook delicious recipes without a trip to the store!

What’s In Hidden Veggie Macaroni and Cheese?

I cook with fresh produce from my garden and from Misfits Market" data-eafl-id="29336" data-eafl-parsed="1" class="eafl-link eafl-link-text eafl-link-direct" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Misfits Market– they sell fantastic fruit, vegetables, & pantry staples at a discounted price. We get Misfit boxes every other week and love picking out seasonal produce for delivery. Get $10 off your first box by clicking here!

• Macaroni Noodles: you can use regular or gluten free noodles, depending on your dietary needs. You can even try whole wheat, high protein, or veggie pasta too!
• Olive Oil: I like to use this fruity olive oil which has a fantastic flavor and deep color- it’s inexpensive, so I keep a few liters stocked up in my pantry.
• Onion, Garlic, Zucchini, Carrots
• Low Sodium Vegetable Stock – I like to use this low sodium vegetable stock for my recipes because it has great flavor… without all the salt. I always use low sodium or no-salt-added broth or stock to start, and then I can add salt or other spices later if needed. Check out some fantastic low sodium recipes here!

• Lemon Juice
• Yellow Mustard
• Turmeric – a staple in our spice cabinet! Aside from all the wonderful health benefits of turmeric (hello anti-inflammation!), the flavor is fantastic. I try to add a teaspoon of turmeric into soups, stews, and rice dishes too.
• Salt & Pepper
• Cheddar Cheese (optional)
• Cashews: I love raw unsalted cashews in this recipe – there’s no need to get roasted nuts, since we will be blending them ourselves in the sauce.

The Beauty of Vegan Mac and Cheese

Traditional mac and cheese, known for its creamy, cheesy goodness, can be enjoyed by vegans too, thanks to innovative plant-based alternatives.

While classic recipes rely on dairy products, this vegan version relies on the magic of cashew cream and the bold flavor of jalapenos to create a mouthwatering experience.

The Star Ingredient: Jalapeno Peppers!

Jalapenos, those vibrant small green peppers, bring the heat to this vegan mac and cheese. Jalapeno peppers are known for their distinct spiciness, making them a perfect addition for those who love a little extra kick in their dishes.

The capsaicin in jalapenos not only adds heat but also releases endorphins, which can boost your mood. So, let’s embrace the spicy goodness!

How Do I Make This Sneaky Vegetable Mac and Cheese Recipe?

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and place macaroni back into the pot, and set aside.
3. On a sheet pan, add the extra virgin olive oil, onions, garlic, jalapeno peppers, and carrots. Sprinkle with salt, and toss well to coat the vegetables in the olive oil. Place the sheet pan in the oven, and roast for 30 minutes until tender.
4. Rinse the cashews and cover with just enough water to cover. Put the cashews and water in a blender, and blend on high until smooth. Add the roasted vegetable mixture into the blender. Add vegetable stock, lemon juice, remaining olive oil, mustard, turmeric, salt, pepper, and nutritional yeast. Blend until smooth.
5. Add the cashew vegetable mixture to the pasta pot and heat over low heat until bubbling. Serve hot!

Dietary Modifications

• This recipe is vegan, vegetarian, and dairy free.
• To make gluten free, ensure all ingredients are certified gluten free on their packaging before using.

The Best Blender for Pureeing Vegetables

Blending the vegetables for this mac and cheese sauce is the secret ingredient to getting perfectly creamy hidden veggies in your pasta! I’ve owned a lot of blenders, but my Vitamix is definitely the best one I’ve owned.
This high-speed blender will blend even the toughest of ingredients into pulp. I prefer using my blender to my food processor for sauces like this or homemade hummus, as it’s much easier to clean the Vitamix. This is definitely one kitchen appliance we use on a daily basis!

More Plant Based Pasta Recipes You’ll Love!

Spaghetti Stir Fry Noodles

Rigatoni Pasta Salad

Hummus Pasta Sauce Recipe with Lemon

Share this Spicy Vegan Mac and Cheese

As always, if you make this easy vegan jalapeno mac and cheese recipe be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe, and tag me @theherbeevore on Instagram so I can feature you. I love seeing all your photos of my recipes!
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About the Author: Kelly Jensen