Vegan Spelt Mac and Cheese

Why You’ll Love This

This is not your average vegan mac and cheese. It’s made with spelt pasta, giving a rich, nutty bite, and a creamy dairy-free sauce that actually tastes cheesy. No cashews soaking for hours. No fake cheese. Just simple, wholesome ingredients with big flavour.

It’s ideal for quick weeknight dinners or meal prep. You get all the comforting, gooey satisfaction of traditional mac and cheese—minus the dairy and heaviness.

What Makes It Special

The star here is spelt pasta. It’s high in fibre, easier to digest than regular wheat, and has a naturally toasty taste that pairs perfectly with savoury cheese-style sauces.

We’re using nutritional yeast, plant milk, and a touch of miso for deep umami, and adding Dijon mustard for a sharp kick. It’s creamy, bold, and totally plant-based. Best of all, it’s ready in under 30 minutes.

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 15 mins

Total Time 25 mins

Cuisine: American

Courses: Dinner

Difficulty: Beginner

Servings: 4

Estimated Cost: 6

Calories: 420

Best Season: Winter

Dietary: Dairy-Free, Vegan

Description

A comforting, plant-based take on classic mac and cheese with spelt pasta, a rich vegan cheese sauce, and simple ingredients. Quick, filling, and packed with flavour.

Ingredients

300 g Spelt Pasta (any shape, uncooked)
2 tbsp Olive Oil
2 tbsp Plain Flour (use gluten-free if needed)
500 ml Unsweetened Oat Milk, or any plant milk
4 tbsp Nutritional Yeast
1 tbsp White Miso Paste
1 tsp Dijon Mustard
1 tsp Garlic Powder
½ tsp Onion Powder
½ tsp Smoked Paprika
½ tsp Sea Salt (more to taste)
Black Pepper (to taste)
1 tbsp Lemon Juice (optional, for brightness)

Instructions

Cook the pasta.

1
Bring a large pan of salted water to a boil. Cook the spelt pasta until al dente (usually 8–10 mins). Drain and set aside.

Make the roux.

2
In the same pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the flour and stir for 1–2 minutes to form a paste.

Add milk and whisk.

3
Slowly pour in the oat milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Cook until the mixture thickens (3–5 minutes).

Add flavour.

4
Stir in nutritional yeast, miso, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer gently for another 2 minutes.

Combine.

5
Add the drained pasta to the sauce and stir until evenly coated. Add lemon juice if using.

Serve hot.

6
Garnish with fresh black pepper or a pinch of paprika, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

Amount Per Serving
Calories 420kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 13g20%
Saturated Fat 2g10%
Sodium 560mg24%
Potassium 330mg10%
Total Carbohydrate 58g20%
Dietary Fiber 6g24%
Sugars 3g
Protein 13g26%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Additional Notes:

For a thicker sauce, reduce milk by 50 ml.
Sauce may thicken more as it cools; just add a splash of milk when reheating.

Substitutions & Variations:

Swap spelt pasta with gluten-free pasta for a GF version.
Use soy or almond milk if oat isn't available.
Add steamed broccoli, peas, or spinach for extra greens.
Sprinkle with breadcrumbs and bake at 180°C for 10 minutes for a crispy top.

Keywords: vegan, spelt, mac and cheese, dairy-free, quick dinner, healthy comfort food

Tips & Variations

Make It Yours

Cheesy Boost: Add a tablespoon of vegan cheese or miso for deeper savoury notes.
Nut-Free? Stick to oat, soy, or rice milk—avoid almond or cashew.
Add Protein: Toss in cooked lentils, chickpeas, or crumbled tofu for a more filling meal.
Spicy Kick: Stir in a pinch of chilli flakes or hot sauce to heat things up.

Storage Tips:

Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on low heat with a splash of plant milk.
Not ideal for freezing—sauce may split.

Conclusion

This Vegan Spelt Mac and Cheese proves that comfort food can be fast, healthy, and plant-based. It’s rich, satisfying, and full of flavour with none of the dairy. Give it a go this week and let us know how yours turns out!

If you try this recipe, drop a comment or tag us on socials—your feedback helps others discover it too.

Read it online: https://greatbritishspeltrecipes.com/recipe/vegan-spelt-mac-and-cheese/

Valentina

A dietitian with a passion for spelt cooking. After trying different diets, I found spelt works best in my kitchen. Join me for simple, delicious recipes that bring out the best in this ancient grain!