How to Make French Onion Vegan Macaroni and Cheese
If you’re a fan of both creamy, indulgent mac and cheese and the deep, savory flavors of French onion soup, get ready for the ultimate comfort food mash-up: vegan French onion macaroni and cheese. This dish is packed with rich, caramelized onions, an ultra-cheesy sauce, and a crispy, golden breadcrumb topping—making it a game-changer for anyone craving a next-level vegan macaroni and cheese experience.
The Inspiration Behind French Onion Vegan Mac and Cheese
French onion soup is known for its deeply caramelized onions, rich broth, and gooey cheese topping. Now, imagine those same bold flavors combined with the creamy, comforting texture of vegan macaroni and cheese. The result? A dish that’s loaded with umami, perfectly balanced between sweet and savory, and so satisfying that no one will believe it’s dairy-free.
What Makes This Vegan Mac and Cheese Stand Out?
This isn’t your average dairy-free macaroni and cheese. Every element is carefully crafted to create a flavor-packed experience:
- Caramelized Onion Sauce: Slow-cooked onions bring out their natural sweetness, enhanced with vegan-friendly pinot grigio and vegan beef stock for that signature French onion depth.
- Ultra-Creamy Cheesy Base: A blend of vegan cream cheese, sour cream, and shredded dairy-free mozzarella and parmesan creates a lusciously smooth sauce.
- Crispy, Cheesy Topping: A mix of panko breadcrumbs, vegan parmesan, and a hint of smoked paprika gives every bite a satisfying crunch.
The Key Ingredients in Vegan French Onion Mac and Cheese
To achieve the rich flavors and textures of this dish, here are a few must-have ingredients:
- Cashew Milk, Dairy-Free Cream Cheese & Sour Cream: Using these three ingredients add a creamy texture without overpowering the dish.
- Vegan Worcestershire Sauce: This adds an extra layer of umami and complexity.
- Fresh Thyme: A classic herb in French onion soup that enhances the deep flavors.
- Dairy-Free Cheese: Combining vegan mozzarella and parmesan ensures a cheesy, gooey finish.
The Perfect Comfort Food for Any Occasion
Whether you’re looking to impress dinner guests, indulge in a cozy night in, or elevate your plant-based macaroni and cheese game, this vegan French onion macaroni and cheese delivers in every way. With its luxurious texture, bold flavors, and irresistible topping, this dish proves that comfort food can be both dairy-free and decadent.
So, the next time you’re in the mood for non-dairy macaroni and cheese that’s anything but ordinary, give this recipe a try. One bite, and you’ll be hooked on this rich, creamy, flavor-packed masterpiece!
If you make this vegan French Onion macaroni and cheese, don’t forget to post a picture to Instagram, tag me @chefsummerstorm, and #gardengrub so I can see your recreation!
How to Make French Onion Vegan Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
Pasta
- 3 cups corkscrew pasta + 1 tbsp kosher salt for seasoning the cooking water
Caramelized Onion Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp vegan butter
- 6 cups yellow onions, thinly sliced (roughly 3 medium-sized yellow onions)
- 3/4 cup vegan beef stock
- 3/4 cup vegan-friendly pinot grigio
- 1 tbsp cane sugar
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh thyme, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups plain, unsweetened cashew milk
- 2 cups shredded vegan mozzarella (I use Daiya's)
Cheesy Base
- 1 cup vegan cream cheese (I use Kite Hill's)
- 1 cup vegan sour cream (I use Kite Hill's)
- 1 cups shredded vegan mozzarella
- 1/2 cup shredded vegan parmesan (I use Follow Your Heart's)
- 1 tbsp vegan Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 3/4 tsp smoked paprika
Breadcrumb Topping
- 3/4 cup plain panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 cup shredded vegan mozzarella
- 1/2 cup shredded vegan parmesan
- 1/4 cup prepared caramelized onions
- 2 tbsp vegan butter, melted
Instructions
Pasta
- Bring a pot of water to a boil. Once it is boiling, season with the salt, add in the pasta and bring it back up to a boil.
- Once it is at a steady boil, cook the pasta for 8 minutes.
- Drain the pasta. If not used right away, rinse the pasta under cold water to stop it from cooking and toss it with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking.
Caramelized Onion Sauce
- Place a large pot over medium heat. Once hot, add in the olive oil and butter.
- Once the butter is melted, add the onions, stir, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Season the onions with the sugar, salt, and pepper, stir, and cook for 2 minutes.
- Combine the vegan beef stock and wine in a container.
- Add 1/4 cup of the stock/wine blend to the onions, stir well, and let cook for 3 minutes. Stir occasionally. Repeat this exact step multiple times until all the liquid has been added to the onions. This step will take about 30 minutes. *Make sure to check the onions frequently to ensure they are not sticking to the bottom of the pan or burning.
- After you've added the last bit of liquid to the onions, continue cooking them for 5 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent them from burning and sticking to the pan.
- Add the thyme to the onions, stir, and cook for one minute.
- Remove 1/4 cup of the onions and set aside for the breadcrumb topping.
- Add the flour to the onions and stir for one minute.
- Now add 1/2 cup of the milk at a time, stirring the entire time. Once all the milk has been added, turn the heat down to medium-low, add the mozzarella, and stir until the cheese is completely melted.
- Add the cooked noodles to the sauce and stir until evenly combined.
Cheesy Base
- Add all ingredients to a large mixing bowl and stir until well combined.
Breadcrumb Topping
- Add all ingredients, except the melted butter, to a mixing bowl and stir until well combined.
- Now drizzle across the melted butter and stir until well combined.
How to Assemble and Bake the Macaroni and Cheese
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Add the pasta/caramelized onion sauce mixture into the mixing bowl of the cheesy base and stir until well combined.
- Pour the mac and cheese into an 8×8 inch baking dish, scraping in all the sauce. Flatten the mixture out from corner to corner.
- Evenly sprinkle across the breadcrumb topping.
- Place the dish on a large sheet pan to prevent the sauce from bubbling over into the oven, cover the dish with tin foil, and place it on the middle oven rack.
- Bake for 20 minutes, remove the foil, and bake for another 12-15 minutes, until perfectly golden brown and crispy on top.
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