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We all know the blue box macaroni and cheese…
Remember the cute little girl singing “I’ve got the blues,”
If you were like me, you totally asked your mom to buy you the blue box because it was the best, and no other mac ‘n’ cheese mattered unless it was in suh-weeet shapes of cartoon characters like the Looney Tunes.

Well, time to step away from the blue box my friends!
Blue box= yellow 5, yellow 6, sodium tripolyphosphate, and other questionable ingredients.
NOT OK!

I mean it’s good, and I totally ate it growing up and lived off of it in college (Sponge Bob Squarepants shapes to be exact) but seriously, the more I look at ingredients and nutritional info… that shiz scares me!

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I totally appreciate a good mac and cheese. The oozy gooey and crispy baked kind made at home from scratch, but my skin just cannot handle that stuff anymore. When I eat super heavy foods made with full fat cheeses and milks, my skin pays for it. Funny how what we eat can really affect so many different things, with our bodies, mood, energy, etc., rights?

Being that my fav thing to do on my blog is show you healthier and veganized versions of your fav comfort foods, I’m shocked I haven’t made a healthy macaroni and cheese before!

I’ve taken out the dairy, processed vegan cheeses, artificial coloring, white pasta, and strange ingredients. I know what you’re thinking right now… is she giving us a recipe for water?

Nope!

Just protein packed fluffy quinoa and veggie infused vegan mac and cheese, NBD (no big deal)!

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My vegan “cheese” is made from Nutritional Yeast, I know it sounds gross/weird, but don’t knock it until you try it! Want to know why nutritional yeast is good for you? I have tons of facts about Nutritional Yeast! Prepare your tastebuds, you’re in for a real treat, bunnies!

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Vegan (Quinoa) Mac & Cheese
Serves 1

2 cups broccoli
1/4 cup uncooked quinoa
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/4 cup nutritional yeast flakes
1 Tbsp whole wheat flour (you could also use spelt, rice, or tapioca flour)
1/2 tsp dijon mustard
1/4 tsp garlic powder
pinch of salt

Cook quinoa over stove with water to package instructions until fluffy and soft. In a separate saucepan over media heat, combine almond milk, nutritional yeast, whole wheat flour, dijon mustard, garlic powder, and salt. Stir the sauce for about 4 minutes until it becomes thick. Cut and steam broccoli and add to the cooked quinoa. Transfer the cheese sauce to the quinoa and broccoli and coat evenly. Serve hot, enjoy!

| 45 Comments

45 Comments on Vegan (Quinoa) Mac & Cheese

  1. Jess
    March 25, 2014 at 2:04 pm (11 years ago)

    Sounds yummy! Where can you find the nutritional yeast flakes?

    Reply
    • Catherine
      March 25, 2014 at 2:17 pm (11 years ago)

      Thanks : ) I buy them at whole foods! Most health food stores have them and sometimes they are near baking, or supplements depending on your store!

      Reply
  2. Diana
    March 25, 2014 at 2:17 pm (11 years ago)

    This look delicious! Discovering nutritional yeast has completely changed my life, i can still enjoy mac and cheese like yours and not feel guilty about overloading on cheese 🙂

    Reply
  4. Jojo @ RunFastEatLots
    March 25, 2014 at 3:04 pm (11 years ago)

    This looks so good! I’m trying to cut out dairy because my lactose intolerance is getting worse. Gotta experiment with vegan Mac and cheeses

    Reply
  5. Carla
    March 25, 2014 at 5:54 pm (11 years ago)

    I’ve never quite gotten the hang of cooking with nutritional yeast but I’m willing to give it a try again. This sounds delish!

    Reply
  6. Juana
    March 25, 2014 at 6:31 pm (11 years ago)

    I love nutritional yeast! The first time I came across it I was iffy, but I was pleasantly surprised.
    My favorite vegan mac recipe is the Mac not Cheese from Engine 2. I need to try this recipe.

    Reply
  7. Emalee
    March 25, 2014 at 7:41 pm (11 years ago)

    YUM! That looks amazing! My grandma used to make this homemade cheesy mac n’ cheese with broccoli when I was little. Of course it was not healthy what so ever, but that is what this dish reminded me of. I love it when you can take your favorite comfort foods and put a healthy spin on them.
    xoxo, em

    littlemissfitluxe.blogspot.com

    Reply
  8. Amar
    March 25, 2014 at 8:37 pm (11 years ago)

    Thank you for this. I am going wheat and dairy free because I am a nursing mom and my baby seems to be allergic. I love quinoa and supper excited to try this out!!!

    Reply
  9. Britt
    March 25, 2014 at 8:42 pm (11 years ago)

    Just made this tonight, sooooo good!!!!

    Reply
  10. Melissa Escobedo
    March 25, 2014 at 10:05 pm (11 years ago)

    Looks yummy! But I’m from Mexico and I couldn’t find the nutritional yeast flakes :C any suggestions? I love your recipes!

    Reply
  11. Megan @ sixfootfit
    March 26, 2014 at 2:16 am (11 years ago)

    This looks amazing! I’m gluten and dairy intolerant and the fake Mac and cheese just doesn’t cut it (especially after knowing what the real stuff tastes like), but I’ll definitely have to give this a try!

    Reply
  12. Kylie Storm Crichton
    March 26, 2014 at 4:20 am (11 years ago)

    This looks delicious. I have never tried nutritional yeast before so I am excited to try this recipe 🙂

    Reply
  13. michelle
    March 26, 2014 at 7:25 am (11 years ago)

    this recipe looks so yummy!! i made your steamed kale with thai chickpeas last night for dinner and it’s one of my fav recipes, so i am looking forward to this. love your blog, you’re so kind and inspiring! keep up the good work!

    Reply
  14. Courtney
    March 26, 2014 at 8:28 am (11 years ago)

    This looks so delicious and healthy! Definitely gonna try it after I finish my cleanse. This will be a great comfort meal without the guilt.

    http://www.blacklockbeauty.com/

    Reply
  15. Lee
    March 26, 2014 at 9:47 am (11 years ago)

    Oh my!! I NEED TO TRY THIS. Okay- so I’ve never really done anything with nutritional yeast, but this may be my first recipe! 😀

    Reply
  16. Ami
    March 26, 2014 at 2:07 pm (11 years ago)

    Thanx for the recipe, i did it and i simply loved it! So simple, fast and super yumi!

    Reply
  17. Annie
    March 26, 2014 at 7:32 pm (11 years ago)

    I LOVE Nutritional Yeast, but have never made Mac & Cheese with it. I’ll totally make this recipe now. Thank you!

    Reply
  19. Joana | myseastory
    March 27, 2014 at 12:02 am (11 years ago)

    I have to try the yeast sauce! Quinoa and brocoli is comfort food for me, love it. I usually cook the quinoa with the brocoli, so that the quinoa absorbs all the nutrients from the brocoli’s water. And save water and energy 😉

    Reply
    • Catherine
      March 27, 2014 at 12:19 am (11 years ago)

      Great idea, Joana!

      Reply
  20. Crista
    March 27, 2014 at 11:15 am (11 years ago)

    yuuuuuuummmmmmm

    Reply
  21. Judith
    March 27, 2014 at 1:51 pm (11 years ago)

    I want to try this!

    Question; I vaguely remember that you used to have a page with all the recipes on your blog (or maybe i’m making this up) so you can browse through them. Is there a possibility that you could do this (again)? So you can look at the list ordered by drink/snack/breakfast/lunch/dinner or something?

    I really like your recipes and whenever I feel like cooking something new I open your blog! but it would be nice to see all of the options instead of limiting myself to my own search terms.:)

    Reply
    • Catherine
      March 27, 2014 at 4:54 pm (11 years ago)

      Thanks so much Judith!!
      There should be a “categories” section on the right hand sidebar that lets you select different things like “breakfast” “lunch” “dinner” “snacks” 🙂

      Reply
  23. Alicia Cooper
    March 29, 2014 at 6:52 am (11 years ago)

    This look so yummy. I’ve only ever used nutritional yeast on top of popcorn but this sounds so good! Ian going to try this after I’m done with the whole30 and can eat quinoa again!

    <3

    Reply
  24. Liz Flood
    March 30, 2014 at 6:23 pm (11 years ago)

    Just came across your blog and I love it! This recipe looks amazing, I will definitely have to give it a try!

    Reply
  25. Sarah
    April 1, 2014 at 6:55 pm (11 years ago)

    One of my favorite things is mac n cheese n chicken… with broccoli! This recipe was kinda right up my alley.
    So. I made it! It and turned out wonderful. It was so easy, full proof, and full of yummy. I did add a few slices of fake chikn at the end for that nostalgic love. But honestly, it did need nothin’. The quinoa and broccoli were so yummy and nourishing and makes the perfect pre-class meal! love it.

    Reply
    • Catherine
      April 1, 2014 at 9:20 pm (11 years ago)

      Haha you are too cute Sarah! Love your little story! I’m so glad you loved it 🙂

      Reply
  26. Brittany
    April 2, 2014 at 11:23 am (11 years ago)

    This recipe looks perfect. I haven’t had mac and cheese and so long — add this to my to-make list. 🙂

    Reply
  27. Amber
    April 24, 2014 at 6:48 am (11 years ago)

    I love nutritional yeast. It’s delish on popcorn! I found it at the regular grocery store in the baking aisle.

    Reply
  28. Shelly
    April 26, 2014 at 12:55 pm (11 years ago)

    My sauce came out a bit too thick…should I just add more milk? Or take out the flour?

    Reply
  29. Grace
    July 15, 2014 at 1:43 pm (10 years ago)

    As someone who rarely bakes, I’m happy to say I just successfully made this! It was quite good, even my 9 year old brother agrees. Advice, don’t be lazy like I did and cook the broccoli in the microwave- it would’ve tasted better steamed 🙂

    Reply
  30. Julie
    October 26, 2014 at 10:32 am (10 years ago)

    Can you do this recipe with out using the whole wheat flour?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Catherine
      October 27, 2014 at 11:10 am (10 years ago)

      Hi Julie! Yes, you can make this without whole wheat flour. I would suggest using another type of flour or flood substitute (quinoa flour, coconut flour, chickpea flour, etc.) as it is used as a thickener.

      Reply
  31. Julie
    October 28, 2014 at 4:49 am (10 years ago)

    Thanks Catherine! I LOVED this recipe. I ended up making it without the flour – the quinoa soaked up the almond milk/nut. yeast combo and it tasted great. Next time I’ll try to add some! By the way – loving your blog and recipes, I am new to reading it! I have struggled with similar things in the past, and your story was super encouraging!

    Reply
  32. kruicci
    January 31, 2015 at 4:09 pm (10 years ago)

    Just made this -delish!
    Thanks for sharing! I love that it makes a single serving -perfect for me as a student!

    Reply
  33. Samm
    February 19, 2015 at 3:30 pm (10 years ago)

    Would you happen to know how many calories would be in this?

    Reply
    • Catherine
      February 19, 2015 at 3:31 pm (10 years ago)

      Hi Samm! I don’t count calories, so unfortunately I do not have the calorie count for any recipes on my blog.

      Reply
    • Dayna
      May 27, 2015 at 1:53 pm (9 years ago)

      I added the calories using My Fitness Pal. With the particular brands I used, it added up to 322 calories.

      Reply
  34. Grace
    April 23, 2015 at 7:44 pm (10 years ago)

    Just finished making this recipe and oh my gosh is it amazing! I’m not vegan or vegetarian but I do enjoy eating healthy. This was outstanding and I look forward to making it again and again! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  35. Kate
    July 1, 2015 at 2:08 pm (9 years ago)

    I love nutritional yeast but I am not a huge fan of Dijon mustard, is it possible to make this recipe without mustard?

    Reply
  36. tnobs88
    July 10, 2015 at 7:37 pm (9 years ago)

    I made this tonight, and it was pretty tasty! It definitely tasted healthier than Kraft. I just needed some salt IMO! Thanks!

    Reply
  37. Hanna
    August 5, 2015 at 10:20 am (9 years ago)

    I just tried this recipe and I didn’t like it unfortunately… the taste of nutritional yeast was way too much strong …

    Reply

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