Vegan Butternut Squash Quinoa Mac and Cheese Casserole

Last Updated on November 13, 2025 by Christin Gillespie

Healthy, creamy, and dairy-free, this Vegan Butternut Squash Quinoa Mac and Cheese Casserole is a top-notch comfort food recipe! Canned butternut squash puree and a few other pantry staples are blended into a cheesy, cashew-free sauce, then mixed with cooked quinoa and baked to perfection. Enjoy this easy vegan casserole as a hearty side, a cozy main dish, or bring it to your next holiday gathering; it’s sure to be a favorite!

Do you know what two things are totally underrated? Quinoa mac and cheese and canned butternut squash puree. In fact, I had no idea that butternut squash puree was a thing up until Farmers Market Foods had it on sale, so naturally, I decided to grab one to create this cozy casserole creation.

The butternut squash puree amps up both the nutrition and heartiness while adding a bit of natural sweetness in the most convenient way possible. Paired with a handful of kitchen staples and your favorite non-dairy milk (to make it cashew-free), it transforms it into a creamy vegan butternut squash mac and cheese sauce.

While you could technically just coat the cooked quinoa with the sauce and dig in from there, the final step of baking it takes it to the comfort food level.

And yes, even though this vegan mac and cheese recipe is totally untraditional, quinoa is the perfect hearty base to soak up all that dreamy butternut squash sauce. Seriously, I can’t wait for you to bake this Vegan Butternut Squash Quinoa Mac and Cheese Casserole; it’s sure to become a family favorite!

Why You’ll Love This Vegan Quinoa Mac and Cheese

• Healthy & Hassle-Free: Thanks to the convenient and clean use of canned butternut squash puree, it cuts the baking time in half, so you can enjoy more time with loved ones!
• Comfort Food Worthy, Without the Discomfort: Since this quinoa mac and cheese is made from healthy vegan ingredients and a dairy-free butternut squash sauce, everyone at the table can dig in with ease!
• Prepped & Ready: This vegan casserole is the perfect stress-free, crowd-pleasing option for family gatherings! Just bake before serving.

Ingredients Needed for This Cashew-Free Vegan Mac and Cheese Recipe

• Organic Quinoa: Instead of typical mac shells, protein-rich and fiber-filled quinoa takes its place to soak up that butternut squash cheese sauce.
• Organic Butternut Squash Puree: The true star of this vegan casserole. It boosts the vitamins, nutrients, and sneaky veggie deliciousness! Farmers Market Foods is my go-to clean, reliable brand.
• Organic Pantry-Staple Additions: Nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice get added to amplify the cheesy vibes.
• Organic Unsweetened Non-Dairy Milk: Organic raw cashews are a classic base for a dairy-free mac and cheese recipe, but with this butternut squash version, you can get away with using your favorite unsweetened non-dairy milk to make it completely cashew-free. Be sure to use an unsweetened variety from a trustworthy brand like Three Trees or MALK Organics to keep your quinoa mac and cheese truly healthy and yummy!

How to Make This Vegan Quinoa Mac and Cheese

1. Quinoa. Prepare the quinoa according to package instructions.
2. Butternut Squash Cheese Sauce. Add all of the butternut squash mac and cheese sauce ingredients to a high-speed blender. Blend until smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of liquid to achieve your desired creamy consistency.
3. Mix. Next, pour the butternut squash cheese sauce into the cooked quinoa saucepan. Stir until the quinoa is fully coated.
4. Bake. Transfer the quinoa mac and cheese mixture to an oven-safe casserole dish. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 10–15 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
5. Serve. Enjoy with fresh sage leaves!

Tips for the Best Vegan Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Sauce

• Organic Butternut Squash Puree: Farmers Market Foods uses USA-grown organic butternut squash, packaged in BPA-free cans, making it my clean go-to choice!
• Organic Unsweetened Non-Dairy Milk: Be sure to use an unsweetened variety from a reliable brand like Three Trees or MALK Organics.
• Up the Veggies: Stir in a handful of spinach prior to popping in the oven, or include a cup of frozen cauliflower florets in the sauce to sneak in more nutrition.

Storing and Reheating

• Storing: Transfer the cooled quinoa mac and cheese to a glass container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
• Reheating: To reheat, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and transfer your portion to an oven-safe dish for 15 minutes or until heated through.

More Healthy Vegan Recipes to Enjoy

• Vegan Pumpkin Quinoa Mac & Cheese
• Roasted Cinnamon Apple Butternut Squash Soup
• Vegan Marry Me Pumpkin Chickpeas
• Fall Vegetable & Quinoa Salad with Roasted Shallot Dressing

If you made this Vegan Butternut Squash Quinoa Mac and Cheese Casserole recipe, I’d be so grateful if you would leave a rating and review below. Your feedback not only makes my day, but it also helps others discover the blog! And be sure to follow on Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok for even more healthy content!

Xoxo.

CMG.

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