Vegan Buffalo Mac and Cheese

Are you afraid that if you go vegan you won’t be able to enjoy comfort food anymore? 

Well I can tell you that is simply not the case. We are living in a world that offers so many incredible plant based alternatives. Companies like Beyond Meat, Gardien, Quorn, Field Roast, and Impossible foods are paving the way to making plant-based proteins available no matter where you live. I personally love using plant-based protein products to make those familiar comfort foods. Products like this are extremely helpful as well if you are still transitioning to becoming vegan or vegetarian. 

In this recipe I will be using the Fruffalo Wings by Field Roast but I would also recommend using Gardein’s Chick’n Wings as well if the Fruffalo Wings are not available in your area. As a substitution, you can also make this with some baked or fried tofu and Frank’s Red Hot sauce if plant-based alternatives are hard to come by where you live. 

This easy vegan recipe is also affordable, only costing about $25 to make (not including seasonings) and can feed about 4 people. So if you’re looking for a cheap vegan meal your family will love and also go back for seconds, this is it!

• 16 oz dry elbow pasta

• 1/4 cup vegan butter (I use Earth Balance Butter)

• 1/4 cup flour

• 3 cups plant-based milk

• 8 oz vegan cream cheese

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp pepper

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1/2 cup nutritional yeast

• 1/2 cup of shredded plant based cheese

• 1/2 bag of frozen sliced bell peppers

• 1 bag of Field Roast’s Fruffalo wings

  • Note: If you cannot find this product a great alternative is Gardein’s barbecue chick’n wings or you can also bake or fry tofu and toss your tofu in Frank’s Red Hot Sauce.

1. Cook your macaroni noodles in a large pot of water with a little sea salt.

2. Cook until soft. Drain and set aside.

3. In a separate pan on medium heat, add the vegan butter.

4. Once butter has melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Add in the flour and whisk until smooth and bubbling.

5. Once butter has melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Add in the flour and whisk until smooth and bubbling.

6. Stir in your plant based milk 1/2 cup at a time, whisking constantly (this is really important so you don't have any clumps).

7. Once all your milk is mixed, add the vegan cream cheese and whisk until smooth.

8. Add in the nutritional yeast and all of your spices and continue to stir until fully mixed in.

9. Take your shredded plant based cheese and add it into the mixture. Continue to stir until the cheese has dissolved.

10. In a skillet pan, saute your frozen bell peppers.

11. Next, cook your plant based meat (Fruffalo Wings) according to package instructions.

12. Add noodles to cheese sauce along with your cooked bell peppers and plant based meat.

Remember, just because you care about your health, the environment, and respect all life, doesn’t mean you can’t feast on incredible food! Thank you for being here and taking the time to make a compassionate and cruelty free meal today. I thank you, our planet applauds you, and you are a hero in the eyes of animals everywhere!