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    Home » Pasta, Pizza & Garlic Bread » Easy One Pot Vegan Mac and Cheese with Spinach

    Easy One Pot Vegan Mac and Cheese with Spinach

    Published: Jan 21, 2023 · Modified: Apr 26, 2025 by Jacqueline Meldrum · 6 Comments

    Easy vegan mac and cheese made in one pot with added spinach. No need to cook the pasta first, so less washing up.

    One-Pot Vegan Mac & Cheese with Spinach

    On my days off work, I love to treat Graham (my husband) to a nice lunch, be that a tasty burrito, a homemade soup or a yummy sandwich.

    This time I decided to make him some vegan macaroni cheese.

    As it was lunchtime, I didn't want to be faffing about with lots of pots, so I made him an easy one-pot mac and cheese.

    He declared it delicious, so I thought I should share it with you.

    Jump to:
    • 🍝 One pot pasta
    • 🥘 What you need to make creamy one pot mac and cheese
    • 🥬 Fresh or frozen spinach
    • 🧀 Vegan Cathedral City cheddar
    • 🥜 Vegan mac and cheese without cashews
    • ⭐ Hit the heart (NEW)
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥣 Storage
    • 🥗 Pair the vegan mac and cheese with these recipes
    • 🧀 More cheesy lunch recipes for vegans
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 How to make one-pot vegan mac and cheese
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Comments

    🍝 One pot pasta

    Have you tried one-pot pasta yet?

    Pot of Vegan Macaroni Cheese with Spinach

    I love them!

    Just bung all the sauce ingredients in a large pot, with the pasta and any vegetables you want to add.

    The sauce, vegetables, and pasta all cook at the same time. It's ingenious!

    Then just leave it to cook, while you do other things.

    Less washing up too as there is only one pot to wash.

    Try one-pot mushroom & cherry tomato spaghetti; vegan one-pot sausage and broccoli pasta or one-pot vegan 'meatball' spaghetti bake which is baked in the oven.

    Vegan One-Pot Macaroni Cheese

    🥘 What you need to make creamy one pot mac and cheese

    Here are the simple ingredients you need to make this delicious non-dairy mac and cheese.

    • macaroni pasta - either elbow or straight
    • spinach - or kale
    • oat milk - or your regular milk
    • garlic powder - you could use fresh garlic, crushed
    • nutritional yeast - also known as nooch
    • vegan cheddar
    • mustard
    • chives - fresh or dried
    • parsley - fresh or dried
    • salt and pepper

    See the printable recipe card below for quantities and method.

    🥬 Fresh or frozen spinach

    I often add spinach to pasta to add some greens.

    frozen and fresh spinach

    Whether cooking the pasta the traditional way in a pot of boiling water or with this one-pot method, you can just add it with minimum fuss.

    You can add fresh or frozen spinach.

    On this occasion, I added frozen spinach, which I always have in the freezer.

    🧀 Vegan Cathedral City cheddar

    Just wanted to mention the vegan cheddar we use.

    vegan Catherdral City cheddar

    Violife used to be our brand of choice, but I have to say it's hard to beat this new plant-based cheddar from Cathedral City.

    It tastes great and melts really well.

    Do try it.

    Also, try this easy homemade parmesan to sprinkle over your pasta.

    🥜 Vegan mac and cheese without cashews

    Many people make a fake cheese sauce with cashew nuts and nutritional yeast.

    I'm sure it's good, but I prefer to make the cheese sauce for macaroni cheese the traditional way by making a roux (with vegan butter. oat milk, and flour) and adding vegan cheddar or the cheats way with cream or milk (vegan of course) with vegan cheese.

    I tend to add some nooch (nutritional yeast) too, as it adds more of a cheesy flavour and a vitamin B12 boost.

    If you love cheesy dishes, try my cheesy cauliflower steaks.

    Want a quick pasta dish? Try quick and easy homemade arrabbiata pasta.

    ⭐ Hit the heart (NEW)

    Have you seen the little heart?

    Hit it to like the recipe and to save your favourite recipes or share them.

    📖 Variations

    Here are a few ideas to tweak this lunchtime vegan cheesy pasta.

    easy one-pot vegan mac & cheese
    • Spicy - add chili pepper flakes for a bit of heat
    • Greens - you could add kale instead of spinach or some frozen peas
    • Topping - top with breadcrumbs tossed in a little olive oil and garlic, then fried or air fried until crisp

    Want to make it ahead, check out this slow cooker mac and cheese on my other website Tinned Tomatoes!

    Serve it with this quick garlic pizza bread.

    🥣 Storage

    Once cool, you can store this plant-based macaroni cheese in an air-tight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.

    To cool it quickly, remove it from the pot and leave it to cool in the tub you will be chilling it in.

    Only add the lid once cool and you are read to put it in the fridge.

    Reheat the macaroni cheese in a pot or in a bowl in the microwave.

    🥗 Pair the vegan mac and cheese with these recipes

    These are my favorite dishes to serve with this easy vegan mac and cheese.

    • Chickpea farinata (socca) with rosemary
      Chickpea Farinata (Socca) with Rosemary & Black Olives
    • Quick Vegan Air Fryer Garlic Bread
      Easy Vegan Air Fryer Homemade Garlic Bread Recipe
    • A dressed Vegan Grinder Salad with corn
      Vegan Grinder Salad with Corn

    🧀 More cheesy lunch recipes for vegans

    Love cheesy recipes? Check these delicious recipes out next.

    • The Best Vegan Air Fryer Cheese Toastie
      Vegan Air Fryer Cheese Toasties
    • Vegan Cheese and Onion Sandwiches
      Vegan Cheese & Onion Sandwiches
    • Sliced cheese and chive beer bread on a wooden board
      Vegan Cheese & Chive Beer Bread (no knead, no yeast recipe)
    • Vegan cheesy pasta salad in a blue bowl
      Vegan Creamy Cheese Pasta Salad
    • Vegan cheese Savoury Sandwich Filling in a bowl
      Vegan Cheese Savoury Sandwich Filling
    • Vegan Pesto Cheese Swirls on a baking mat
      Vegan Pesto Cheese Swirls

    👩🏻‍🍳 How to make one-pot vegan mac and cheese

    Step-by-step photos. Keep scrolling for the full printable recipe (with full ingredient list, calories and nutritional info).

    Vegan Mac & Cheese - Step 1

    Step 1 - Base ingredients

    • In a large pot, add the macaroni, fresh or frozen spinach and milk.
    • Next add the herbs.
    Vegan Mac & Cheese - Step 2

    Step 2 - The flavourings

    • Now add all those yummy flavours that will give this a rich cheesy flavour. First add the garlic powder, nooch and mustard.
    • Next add the grated vegan cheddar and season with salt and pepper, then mix well.
    Vegan Mac & Cheese - Step 3

    Step 3

    • Cook the pasta in the sauce for 15 to 20 minutes over a low to medium heat until the pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened.
    • You can add a little more milk if you think it needs it.
    • Taste to check the seasoning and adjust if necessary.
    • Serve and enjoy!

    📖 Recipe

    Vegan One-Pot Macaroni Cheese

    Easy One Pot Vegan Mac and Cheese with Spinach

    Jacqueline Meldrum
    Easy vegan mac and cheese made in one pot with added spinach. No need to cook the pasta first, so less washing up
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Easy Vegan Pasta & Pizza Recipes, lunch
    Cuisine British
    Servings 2 servings
    Calories 433 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 100 g macaroni
    • 400 ml oat milk (or your regular milk)
    • 40 g frozen spinach (1 block or a generous handful of fresh spinach)
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 tablespoon dried parsley (or a handful of fresh, chopped)
    • 2 teaspoons dried chives (or a few stalks of fresh, chopped)
    • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (also known as nooch)
    • 50 g vegan cheddar (grated)
    • 1 teaspoon mustard (I like dijon or American yellow mustard for this)
    • 1 pinch salt and pepper
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • In a large pot, add the macaroni, fresh or frozen spinach and milk.
    • Next add the herbs.
    • Now add all those yummy flavours that will give this a rich cheesy flavour. First add the garlic powder, nooch and mustard.
    • Then, add the grated vegan cheddar and season with salt and pepper, then mix well.
    • Cook the pasta in the sauce for 15 to 20 minutes over a low to medium heat until the pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened.
    • Taste to check the seasoning and adjust if neccesary.
    • Serve and enjoy!

    Notes

    • You can use frozen or fresh spinach.
    • You can use fresh or dried herbs and vary them if you like.
    • If you don't have nutritional yeast, you can just use vegan cheddar, but it is worth buying as it boosts the cheesy flavour and adds a portion of Vitamin B12.
    • Once cool, you can store this plant-based macaroni cheese in an air-tight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
    • To cool it quickly, remove it from the pot and leave it to cool in the tub you will be cooling it in. Only add the lid once you are putting it in the fridge.
    • Reheat the macaroni cheese in a pot or in a bowl in the microwave.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 servingCalories: 433kcalCarbohydrates: 72gProtein: 17gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gSodium: 419mgPotassium: 625mgFiber: 8gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 6149IUVitamin C: 35mgCalcium: 400mgIron: 5mg
    Keyword mac and cheese, macaroni, one-pot, pasta, vegan pasta
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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      Quick Garlic Pizza Bread Recipe
    • Easy Vegan Pizza Twists with Puff Pastry
      Vegan Pizza Twists made with Puff Pastry
    • Easy vegan parmesan - hard vegan cheese for pasta and pizza
      Easy Vegan Parmesan Cheese with Garlic & Herbs
    • Ultimate Homemade Pizza Seasoning
      Easy Homemade Pizza Seasoning

    Comments

    1. Sam says

      January 21, 2023 at 3:13 pm

      5 stars
      I am so making this tomorrow for lunch. It looks frigging gorgeous.

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Meldrum says

        January 21, 2023 at 3:28 pm

        Awww thanks Sam. I am sure you will enjoy it. A real treat for lunch.

        Reply
    2. Jill says

      January 21, 2023 at 3:15 pm

      5 stars
      Oh less washing up. Now I am all in favour of that. It looks very tasty ❤

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Meldrum says

        January 21, 2023 at 3:27 pm

        Haha yes, less washing up and less pots, always a good thing. Hope you try it.

        Reply
    3. Maggie Johnstone says

      January 26, 2023 at 2:33 pm

      5 stars
      This was much better than I expected not using a roux . In fact it was delicious. Used skimmed milk , half fat cheddar and lots of fresh spinach for a low cal version. Added a little more nutritional yeast to bump up the cheezyness. Yum. Will definitely make it again.

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Meldrum says

        January 26, 2023 at 4:18 pm

        I am so glad you enjoyed it Maggie. It's a nice simple one for a hot lunch.

        Reply

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    JACQUELINE MELDRUM

    Welcome to The Vegan Lunchbox.

    If you need tasty lunch inspiration, you've come to the right place. Easy recipes and ideas from my Scottish kitchen. Jac x

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