🧅🧀 Vegan French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese
Servings: 4–6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45–60 minutes (for deep caramelization)
Total Time: ~1 hour
Rich | Cozy | Totally Plant-Based
🧅 Ingredients
For the Caramelized Onions:
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp olive oil (or vegan butter)
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar (or a splash of white wine)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp brown sugar (optional, helps deepen caramelization)
- Splash of water or broth as needed
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz elbow macaroni, shells, or pasta of choice (gluten-free if needed)
For the Cheese Sauce:
- 1 cup raw cashews (soaked 4 hrs or boiled 10 min)
- 1 cup unsweetened plant milk (oat, soy, or almond)
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 1 tbsp mellow miso paste
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1–2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Optional: 1 tsp white wine or 1/2 tsp truffle oil for extra depth
🧄 Optional Toppings:
- Crispy onions (store-bought or homemade)
- Toasted breadcrumbs
- Vegan parmesan or shredded cheese (for a baked finish)
- Fresh thyme or parsley
🔥 Instructions
1. Caramelize the onions (this is key!)
- In a wide skillet, heat olive oil over medium-low heat.
- Add sliced onions and salt. Cook slowly, stirring often, for 30–40 minutes, until deeply golden and soft.
- Add balsamic vinegar (and brown sugar, if using) in the last 5 minutes to deglaze and deepen the flavor.
- Add a splash of water if the onions stick or dry out. Set aside.
🧅 Pro tip: The longer you caramelize, the sweeter and more umami-rich they’ll be. Don’t rush this step — it’s the soul of the dish!
2. Cook the pasta
- Boil pasta according to package directions.
- Drain and set aside. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
3. Make the cheese sauce
- Blend all cheese sauce ingredients (cashews, plant milk, nutritional yeast, miso, Dijon, lemon juice, garlic, onion powder, salt, pepper) in a high-speed blender until completely smooth.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Add more milk if too thick.
4. Combine pasta, sauce, and onions
- In a large pot or skillet, combine cooked pasta, caramelized onions, and cheese sauce.
- Stir over low heat until everything is heated through and creamy. Add a splash of pasta water to loosen if needed.
5. Serve or bake (optional)
- Serve as-is, topped with crispy onions or breadcrumbs for texture.
- Optional baked version: Transfer to a baking dish, top with breadcrumbs or vegan cheese, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15–20 minutes until golden.
🥄 Serving Suggestions
- Garnish with fresh herbs like thyme or parsley
- Add sautéed mushrooms for a French bistro vibe
- Serve with a green salad or roasted vegetables
❄️ Storage
- Keeps in the fridge up to 4 days
- Reheats well on the stovetop with a splash of milk
- Can be frozen, though texture may be softer
