Vegan Buffalo Mac and Cheese

A healthy Vegan Buffalo Mac and Cheese recipe that is super creamy, easy to make, and has a bit of a kick to it. Created with protein-packed lentil macaroni noodles, your favorite buffalo sauce, and roasted cauliflower. This vegan buffalo cauliflower mac and cheese recipe will quickly be a family weeknight winner.

In the spirit of Super Bowl Sunday approaching, it’s an obligation of mine to share with you an incredible buffalo dish. I don’t know why, but I feel as if every dish needs to be infused with buffalo sauce during game time. 

Which is what transpired the creation of this Vegan Buffalo Mac and Cheese recipe. It’s super rich, creamy, & has a bit of a kick to it. But most importantly, it’s easy to make.

I’m sure that the majority of buffalo dishes out there are delicious, but this one definitely scores some extra points, because it is super tasty & nutritious. From the roasted cauliflower to the protein pasta, this vegan mac and cheese is coated with good-for-you ingredients. 

So huddle up your ingredients and dig into this vegan mac and cheese recipe. One last note, while this dish was inspired by the football special, you can enjoy this recipe on any occasion! Game night, weeknight dinner, or whenever your heart desires. But when you do decide to whip it up, you know it will be a touchdown! 

Why You’ll Love This Vegan Mac and Cheese Recipe

• Quick & Easy: This Vegan Buffalo Mac and Cheese recipe comes together in under 30 minutes.
• Football Food Made Healthy: With the protein from the lentil pasta, the veggie component from the cauliflower, & the healthy fats from the cashew infused buffalo sauce, this is a well-rounded meal that’s hearty & healthy.
• Enjoy at Anytime: Whether you’re having it for a game night dinner or as a quick dinner, it will be a winner.
• Great for Meal Prep: This buffalo cauliflower mac and cheese stores well in the fridge, making it a great recipe to meal prep for quick dinners throughout the week.

Ingredients

• Organic Buffalo Sauce: Duh?! You can use any buffalo sauce that you like. I personally love Primal Kitchens Buffalo Sauce, because it is made with organic, clean ingredients, and is super creamy! You can purchase it at any health foods store or Amazon.
• Organic Cauliflower Florets: Yep, you read that correctly. It’s a very simple way to sneak in some veggies and adds so much creaminess. It’s essential for this healthy buffalo mac and cheese recipe.
• Organic Garlic: Make sure to use fresh garlic and not garlic powder. This ingredient is crucial to build flavor.
• Organic Spices: Onion powder, smoked paprika sea salt, and black pepper, are the spices used to season this healthy buffalo mac and cheese. 
• Organic Nutritional Yeast: One of the most important ingredients to give this buffalo cauliflower mac and cheese that signature cheesy taste.  
• Organic Unsweetened Non-Dairy Milk: To blend up the cauliflower buffalo sauce, we’ll be using organic unsweetened non-dairy milk. I love organic unsweetened almond milk! I also think organic unsweetened cashew milk would be a great substitution. Please don’t use vanilla or any “flavored” milk, as the taste will differ. Also, be sure to use trusted brands – I like MALK Organics or Three Trees.
• Organic Macaroni: It wouldn’t be mac and cheese without it. I love using macaroni noodles that are made with one ingredient – lentil flour. They taste just like the real thing and it’s high in protein! My favorite brand is Tolerant.

How To Make

1. Cook Pasta. Cook the pasta according to package directions
2. Roast Vegetables. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F & line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Add the cauliflower florets, chopped garlic, & bake for 15 minutes, flipping halfway.
3. Blend. When the vegetables are done, transfer to a high-speed blender, along with the remaining ingredients.
4. Combine. Pour the blended buffalo cauliflower sauce into a pot and bring to a light boil on medium-high heat for 1 – 2 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly. Add the macaroni to the pot and mix everything together. 
5. Serve. Ladle the desired amount of pasta into serving bowls. Top with fresh cilantro & red pepper flakes. Enjoy! 

Tips for Making Buffalo Mac and Cheese Perfectly

• Organic Macaroni: If you don’t have macaroni or elbow noodles on hand, use what you’ve got! Truly any pasta shape will pair beautifully with the buffalo pasta sauce.  
• Protein Noodles: To amplify the protein, I love using macaroni noodles that are made with one ingredient – lentil flour. They taste just like the real thing and it’s high in protein! My favorite brand is Tolerant.
• Organic Vegetables: Feel free to add in even more veggies! I think blending some carrots along with cauliflower would be delicious!
• Organic Cauliflower: You can either use fresh or frozen cauliflower florets. Whatever is best for you.  
• Organic Unsweetened Non-Dairy Milk: To blend up the cauliflower buffalo sauce, we’ll be using organic unsweetened non-dairy milk. I love organic unsweetened almond milk! I also think organic unsweetened cashew milk would be a great substitution. Please don’t use vanilla or any “flavored” milk, as the taste will differ. Also, be sure to use trusted brands – I like MALK Organics or Three Trees.

Storing & Reheating

As mentioned above, this buffalo cauliflower mac and cheese is perfect for leftovers & meal prep! Just be sure to let the mac and cheese cool completely before transferring to an air-tight glass container. 

Fridge Storage. Transfer mac and cheese to an air-tight glass container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 

Reheating. To reheat, simply transfer the mac and cheese to a saucepan on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a little extra water or organic unsweetened non-dairy milk as needed until warm.

More Pasta Recipes You’ll Love

• Vegan Lentil Skillet Lasagna
• Vegan Baked Mac and Cheese
• Vegan Acorn Squash Pasta
• Vegan Butternut Squash Macaroni and Cheese
• Vegan Lentil Lasagna Soup

Sharing Is Caring!

If you make this recipe, please leave a review & rating below! I love hearing from you and it helps others learn more about the recipe too. Lastly, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram, & TikTok for even more deliciousness & wellness tips!

Xoxo.

Christin.

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