It’s not always easy to balance nutrition, flavor, and satisfaction, but this dairy-free hummus mac & cheese is quite successful. The recipe uses a rich, creamy blend of cashews and extra-virgin olive oil, but is grounded by a big dollop of hearty hummus. Overall, it’s a gratifying meal that is high in protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Plus the sauce takes minutes to make. The lengthiest step in this plant-based recipe is cooking the pasta!
Dairy-Free Hummus Mac & Cheese that’s Rich, Creamy, and High Protein
This recipe was originally shared with us by Hope Foods, but we’ve made some updates. I also have a FAQ answers regarding the ingredients.
Can I Use Flavored Hummus?
Of course! The creator of this recipe originally used sriracha hummus, but that flavor has been discontinued. We think red pepper hummus would be delicious in this dairy-free hummus mac & cheese. You could even use garlic hummus and omit the garlic. Just be sure the flavor profile of your hummus is a good match for cheesy pasta.
What is Nutritional Yeast?
Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast that’s often fortified with B vitamins, and most commonly sold in flakes. It’s sold at most natural food stores and is readily available online. The flakes are very lightweight, so a 1-pound bag or canister contains a lot more than you might expect.
Is there a Good Substitute for the Nutritional Yeast?
This is always a tough ingredient to substitute since it’s quite unique. I can’t recommend an equivalent substitute. But if you leave it out, this can still be a delicious creamy pasta. It just won’t be as cheesy. Do not substitute brewer’s yeast or any other type of yeast. They are not the same as nutritional yeast.
How Can I Add More Protein?
I would use a high protein pasta. There are some wheat-based brands, like Barilla Protein+, or you could use a lentil or chickpea pasta for gluten-free.
Special Diet Notes: Dairy-Free Hummus Mac & Cheese
By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, optionally gluten-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, plant-based, and vegetarian.
- 8 ounces pasta (macaroni, small shells, other small pasta; gluten-free, if needed)
- ½ head broccoli, broken into florets
- 1 cup raw cashews
- ½ cup hummus
- ½ cup unsweetened dairy-free almond milk beverage
- ½ cup nutritional yeast
- 3 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ onion, roughly chopped
- 1 garlic clove
- Cook the pasta shells according to the instructions on box.
- Steam the broccoli florets for about 5 minutes, or until bright green and tender.
- Add the cashews, hummus, milk beverage, nutritional yeast, olive oil, onion, and garlic to your blender and puree until smooth and creamy.
- Stir the cheesy hummus sauce into the hot pasta until well coated. Gently stir in the broccoli, and serve.
- The sauce will thicken. If it becomes to thick, whisk in more milk beverage or water, as needed.
More Cheesy but Healthy Dairy-Free Recipes
Margherita Pizza Dip
The Ultimate Plant-Based Casserole
Vegan Cauliflower Queso
17 Comments
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Thank you I have egg dairy peanut gluten and few other things .long grain brown rice is so boring when the rest of the family is having yummy things I get rice cakes or tofu slabes the 70s and 80s my taste buds were dead but if i gave in to my taste buds i would fill up with mucus and stop breathing no fun
Do the cashews have to be soaked, or as just as is?
They aren’t soaked in this recipe. If you’re worried that your blender or food processor can’t tackle them, then you can pre-grind the cashews in a spice grinder before adding them.
They look so rich and creamy and I love the spicy kick of Sriracha!
I assume the hummus also goes into the blender with the rest of the ingredients?
Yes! Thanks for catching that Oisin, fixed!
I need that hummus! My husband would devour it!
It’s so good Amanda!
I absolutely love this Alisa! I haven’t heard of this brand of hummus, but I’m going to find it and give this recipe a try.
I highly recommend it Wendy. All of the bold flavors are just made for some of your amazing savory recipes.
Love that you added some veggies to a very indulgent meal!
And when will you be making this dish for me? How did I miss the taste testing. Folks, the benefit of living in the same town as Alisa is the ability to beg for samples!
Haha, you are too sweet Caroline! This one was actually created by Allie at Hope Foods. But I’m thinking perhaps we should test out a variation of our own! They’ve got a roasted red pepper hummus that would be blissful in this!
Can I visit girls lol.
What a great idea to use hummus! I bet that makes it soooo creamy!