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Vegan Jalapeno Mac and Cheese Recipe

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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!

dairy free jalapeno mac and cheese spicy vegan pasta with jalapenos and garlic

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

vegan jalapeno mac and cheese recipe with peppers spicy vegan macaroni and cheese recipe

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!

dairy free spicy mac and cheese with jalapeno peppers vegan cashew mac and cheese recipes

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.

dairy free spicy jalapeno macaroni and cheese vegan no cheese or butter or milk

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!

Gnocchi With Pomodoro Sauce

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!
Let’s keep in touch – subscribe to my monthly newsletter to get free recipe inspiration.
And follow over on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube & TikTok – I’d love to connect with you there!

dairy free jalapeno mac and cheese spicy vegan pasta with jalapenos and garlic

Vegan Jalapeno Mac and Cheese

Kelly Jensen
This vegan jalapeno mac and cheese recipe is creamy, spicy, and loaded vegetables blended into a easy dairy free sauce!
5 from 4 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dinner, Pasta, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 352 kcal

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Blender
  • Sheet Pan

Ingredients
  

  • 16 oz macaroni use gluten free if desired
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 sweet onion finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 3 jalapeno peppers sliced (seeds removed for a milder flavor)
  • 3 carrots roughly chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt
  • 1 cup raw unsalted cashews soaked in hot water
  • 1 1/2 cups Vegetable Stock
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon Black Pepper

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and place macaroni back into the pot, and set aside.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Add the cashew vegetable mixture to the pasta pot and heat over low heat until bubbling. Serve hot!

Notes

Save on Fresh Groceries & Pantry Staples

I love shopping for fresh produce through 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 fresh produce, pantry staples, and fantastic groceries (even wine!) at a discounted price. Choose your favorite seasonal produce, enjoy delivery right to your door, & $10 off your first box by clicking here.
Getting groceries online has turned out to be a huge time and money saver for us. If you haven't tried a produce box yet, I highly recommend trying one out!

Nutrition

Calories: 352kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 11gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 175mgPotassium: 360mgFiber: 4gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 3881IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 2mg
Did You Make This Recipe?Please leave a rating and comment below, let us know what you loved about it!

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the brands that support The Herbeevore and our beehives!

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Posted in American, Dairy Free, Dinners, Pastas, The Herbeevore Recipes, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes, Winter Recipes

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