Vegan French Onion Mac and Cheese

Vegan French Onion Mac and Cheese is a creamy twist on the old favorite of French Onion Soup … here’s our version of Vegan French Onion Soup and a Vegan Six Onion Gravy. There’s a beautiful simplicity in creating dishes that not only taste incredible but also use ingredients you already have in your kitchen. This dish exemplifies this principle beautifully: It’s a nod to the comfort food we all know and love and a testament to the power of plant-based ingredients to transform traditional favorites.

Simple Ingredients

At the heart of this dish are ingredients that are staples in many kitchens, vegan or otherwise. Onions, pasta, nutritional yeast, and a few seasoning components come together to create something truly special. Each plays a crucial role, from the onions that offer depth and sweetness to the rich, creamy sauce. I used both red and yellow onions here but use what you have.

Potatoes (or potato flakes) are the most surprising ingredient here. The delicious cheesy sauce is made mostly from potatoes and nutritional yeast. It tastes amazing and you’d never guess something this creamy is potatoes.

Easy to Make Vegan French Onion Mac and Cheese

Making Vegan French Onion Mac and Cheese doesn’t require professional kitchen skills or hours of your time. The process is straightforward: caramelizing onions to bring out their natural sugars, blending a few simple plant-based ingredients to achieve a creamy texture, and layering everything with cooked pasta. The result? A dish that’s comforting, satisfying, and surprisingly simple to put together.

How to Caramelize Onions

To caramelize onions, start by slicing them thinly. For this dish, I used a few medium sized yellow onions and a few red onions. I like the blend of more than one onion but use what you have. Heat a heavy-bottomed pan over medium-low heat and add three tablespoons of oil. Once hot, add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt, stirring to coat evenly. Cook the onions slowly, stirring occasionally, for about 30-40 minutes until they turn a deep brown. Low and slow is the method … they’re different from fried onions. Reduce the heat and add a quarter cup of red wine to deglaze the pan. Allow the onions to cook a few more minutes. This slow cooking process will allow the natural sugars in the onions to caramelize, imparting a sweet and rich flavor. The added wine will add a great depth of flavor but the alcohol will cook off in the last bit of cooking time.

The Flavor Profile

What sets this dish apart is its ability to deliver a complex flavor profile from a relatively short list of ingredients. The caramelized onions add a richness and depth that’s typically hard to achieve in vegan dishes, while the white vegan sauce made with – surprise – mostly those potatoes and introduces a creamy, cheesy quality without any dairy. Nutritional yeast rounds out the flavors, bringing in that coveted umami and cheese-like taste that’s essential in mac and cheese.

Affordable Plant-Based Meal

One of the greatest strengths of this recipe is its accessibility and affordability. Unlike many vegan recipes that call for specialized ingredients, everything you need for this dish can be found at your local supermarket. This accessibility is key to making veganism more approachable and sustainable for a broader audience. The final cost for this entire recipe is about $7.00 or less than a dollar per serving.

Perfect for Sharing

Food is inherently social, and dishes like this are made to be shared. Whether it’s a weeknight family dinner, a potluck with friends, or a special occasion, Vegan French Onion Mac and Cheese is a dish that brings people together.. It also underscores the importance of comfort food in our lives. Food isn’t just fuel but a source of joy, nostalgia, and comfort.

Vegan French Onion Mac and Cheese RECIPE

Yield: 6 servings

Vegan French Onion Mac and Cheese RECIPE

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Vegan French Onion Mac and Cheese is delightful! Creamy plant-based cheese sauce meets caramelized onions for a comforting twist on a classic favorite.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes

Ingredients

Caramelized Onions

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• 2 cups thinly sliced onions (red, yellow, or white
• 3 tablespoons oil
• 1/4 cup red wine

Cheese Sauce

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• 2 cups peeled and cubed boiled potatoes (plus 1/2 cup water) or 1 cup instant potato flakes (plus 2 cups water)
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 1 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
• 2 tablespoons tapioca starch or cornstarch
• 1/4 cup avocado oil or olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons miso paste
• enough water for blending

Other

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• Vegan Cheese Shreds
• Croutons
• Bread Crumbs
• Vegan Parmesan Cheese

Instructions

1. Cook the sliced onions in the oil and over medium-low heat for about 35 to 40 minutes until they are very wilted, and a nice brown color (but not browned).
2. Add the wine to deglaze the pan, if using, and simmer gently until most of the wine has cooked off.
3. Cook 12 ounces of the pasta of your choice following package directions.. I used Tinkyada's gluten-free elbows.
4. Drain the pasta.
5. Make the cheese sauce. Blend together all the cheese sauce ingredients together along with a 1/2 cup water if using boiled potatoes or 2 cups water if using potato flakes. Add more or less water as necessary. Blend on high speed until very smooth and stir into the pasta.
6. Spread a layer of pasta with cheese sauce in the bottom of a large baking dish. Add a sprinkle of vegan cheese shreds, if desired.
7. Add a layer of caramelized onions on top of the pasta layer.
8. Add another layer of pasta, a sprinkle of vegan cheese shreds, and more caramelized onions and then a final layer of pasta.
9. On the top, add some Vegan Parmesan Cheese, vegan cheese shreds, and the croutons of your choice.
10. Place the baking dish in a 375-degree F oven and bake for 25 to 3 minutes, until lightly browned. Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 363Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 676mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 5gSugar: 6gProtein: 8g

Lisa Viger Gotte

Hello! I’m Lisa, a vegan artist, photographer, author, Vegan Life Coach Educator, and RYT 200 yoga teacher. I love showing others how simple and delicious a plant-based diet can be. I draw and paint, cook, write, take lots of pics, eat lots of chocolate, and practice gratitude daily.