High Protein Mac and Cheese (gluten free, dairy free)

This high protein mac and cheese is a 1 pot recipe, it is a no boil pasta recipe, it is gluten free, dairy free, vegan and nut free! It literally does not get any easier than this! Plus, Chickpeas are a great protein source containing a high amount of plant-based protein. Chickpeas are excellent for people who don’t eat meat or animal products. The chickpea pasta makes this a high protein mac and cheese recipe!

You can find a low carb version and a low fat version below! This high protein mac and cheese is made with dairy free cheese, plant based milk, broccoli and spices!

The summer is over and fall can be really hard to find time to make a cozy, home cooked meal. Between back to school, sports starting and busier schedules, it’s hard to balance it all. To make your life easier, I made this 6 ingredient baked mac and cheese casserole that’s perfect for meal prepping.

This casserole is the absolutey BEST. Plus, this Vegan Mac and Cheese is so easy to make! Its kid friendly to make and totally kid approved – they’ll see the mac and cheese but you’ll see the quinoa, brown rice and broccoli!

This high protein mac and cheese is easy to prep in less than 10 minutes. It bakes for an hour and is cheesy and creamy without any dairy! 

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

• Gluten-free: This recipe is made with gluten-free pasta, making it a good option for people with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
• Dairy-free: This recipe uses lactose-free or plant-based milk, making it a good option for people with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies.
• High in protein: The nutritional yeast in this recipe is a good source of protein, making it a more filling and satisfying meal.
• Low in fat: This recipe uses a small amount of butter, making it a lower-fat option than traditional mac and cheese.
• This recipe is versatile and can be customized to your liking. You can use any type of lactose-free or plant-based milk, cheese, or vegetables that you like. You can also add other ingredients, such as cooked chicken, bacon, or sausage.

This high protein mac and cheese is actually a no boil recept! What is a no boil recipe? You do not have to make the pasta before folding it into the casserole. Because there is so much liquid in the casserole, the pasta will cook while it is baking! It cuts back on dishes and a whole extra step of having to cook the pasta!

This easy vegan make and cheese has broccoli in it to make it a little healthier. If you don’t like broccoli you can add any vegetable you’d like to it! You can add cauliflower, peppers, onions, spinach, etc.

INGREDIENTS & SUBSTITUTIONS

GLUTEN FREE PASTA

This high protein mac and cheese is actually a no boil recept! What is a no boil recipe? Its when you do not have to make the pasta before folding it into the casserole dish. Because there is so much liquid in the casserole, the pasta will cook while it is baking! It cuts back on dishes and a whole extra step of having to cook the pasta!I used gluten free pasta from trader joes here. The gluten free pasta is made with quinoa and brown rice. The texture of this pasta is not mushy or soft. It holds its form and shape nicely.

PLANT BASED MILK

To make sure this easy mac and cheese is vegan, you have to use vegan milk and vegan cheese. You can use any plant based milk here; oat milk, flax milk, nut milk, etc. All milks will work the same!I used unsweetened flax seed milk. You can also use any lactose free milk you want!

CHEDDAR CHEESE + PARMESAN CHEESE

To make sure this easy mac and cheese is vegan, you have to use vegan milk and vegan cheese. I prefer vegan cheese in a baked casserole anyway since it melts better! You can use any cheese combination you’d like here. I used cheddar and parmesan. You can also use any lactose free cheese you want!

BROCCOLI

This easy vegan make and cheese has broccoli in it to make it a little healthier. If you don’t like broccoli you can add any vegetable you’d like to it! You can add cauliflower, peppers, onions, spinach, etc.

TASTE & TEXTURE

This casserole bakes for an hour to get its warm, cheesy and creamy texture! It is cozy, best served hot and perfect cold weather comfort food!

The nutritional yeast in this recipe gives the mac and cheese a cheesy flavor that is similar to cheddar cheese. However, the nutritional yeast also has a slightly nutty flavor that some people may not like. If you don’t like the taste of nutritional yeast, you can use another type of cheese, such as mozzarella or Monterey Jack.

The texture of the mac and cheese will also depend on the type of milk you use. Lactose-free milk will give the mac and cheese a slightly thinner texture than plant-based milk. If you want a thicker mac and cheese, you can use a combination of lactose-free milk and plant-based milk.

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1

Add the uncooked pasta to a baking dish. Top with chopped broccoli, milk, cheese, spices, nutritional yeast. Mix. Cover with tin foil.

STEP 2

Pre heat oven to 350. Add baking dish to oven and bake for 1 hour.

STEP 3

Remove the high protein mac and cheese from oven and check pasta is soft. If pasta is still hard cook for additional 10 minutes.

EXPERT TIPS & TRICKS

• Use a good quality gluten-free pasta. This will help to ensure that the mac and cheese is creamy and smooth.
• Don’t overcook the pasta. The pasta should be al dente, or slightly firm to the bite.
• Use a high-quality nutritional yeast. This will help to give the mac and cheese a good cheesy flavor.
• Add a bit of butter or oil to the sauce. This will help to make the sauce richer and creamier.
• Season the sauce to taste with salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices.
• Garnish the mac and cheese with your favorite toppings, such as gluten free breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, or chopped herbs.
• For a creamier mac and cheese, you can add 1/4 cup of butter to the sauce.
• If you don’t have lactose-free or plant-based cheddar cheese, you can use another type of shredded cheese, such as mozzarella or Monterey Jack.
• You can also add other vegetables to the mac and cheese, such as carrots, peas, or mushrooms.
• To make the casserole extra crispy, top it with breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese before baking.

HOW TO MAKE THIS LOWER CARB

Use cauliflower pasta! Cauliflower pasta is a low-carb alternative to traditional pasta made from wheat flour. It is made by grating cauliflower into small pieces that resemble pasta. Cauliflower pasta is a good source of fiber and vitamins, and it is low in calories and carbohydrates.

HOW TO MAKE THIS HEALTHIER

To make this high protein mac and cheese healthier you can use fat free cheese instead of full fat vegan cheese! My favorite fat free dairy free cheese is from trader joes. It is made with soy and is fat free! So if you are watching your cholesterol and fat intake like me, this is the perfect option.

HOW TO SERVE & STORE

To serve: Serve the high protein mac and cheese hot and bubbly. You can garnish the mac and cheese with your favorite toppings, such as breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, or chopped herbs. Serve the mac and cheese with a side of your favorite vegetables or salad.

To store: The high protein mac and cheese can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat the mac and cheese, place it in a microwave-safe dish and heat on medium heat for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat the mac and cheese in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place the mac and cheese in a baking dish and heat for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.

To prevent the mac and cheese from drying out, add a splash of milk or cream to the container before storing.

If you are storing the high protein mac and cheese for more than 2 days, it is best to freeze it. To freeze the mac and cheese, place it in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. When you are ready to eat the mac and cheese, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat it as directed above.