Do you love mac and cheese but hate the calories and fat that come along with it? We're serving up a super healthy version in this quinoa mac and cheese!
Seriously is there anything better than a bite of super creamy, cheesy goodness? It's pretty much heaven on earth if you ask me.
Still to this day, even though I know how awful it is for me, I sometimes crave Kraft macaroni and cheese. It's so weird because that was never anything that I ever ate growing up (we were an Annie's family all the way). There's just something about that box of junk pasta that makes my mouth water.
But for those of us who like to eat healthy not shove our faces with that orange-tinged pasta gook, you need to search for alternatives.
Our “Cheesy” Vegan Mac and Cheese Sauce
Traditional cheese sauces are obviously loaded with cheese. But we're keeping things dairy-free around here and whipping up our own version of a mac and cheese sauce that's “cheesy” and delicious.
The secret for getting that Kraft color? Butternut squash!
I know it might sound a little weird, but when everything is combined together you can't even taste it. My butternut squash-hating boyfriend couldn't even tell it was in there. That's because we blend it up with some almond milk and nutritional yeast to make it taste cheesy and cover up some of the natural sweetness.
Secretly Healthy Mac and Cheese
Not only does this recipe have just 5 ingredients, but it's also super healthy. You're getting complex carbohydrates and protein from the quinoa, you're sneaking in some veggies in the form of squash (plus added fiber), and nutritional yeast is also packed with protein!
In comparison to standard mac, each serving has just 258 calories, 7g of protein and 6g of fiber!
The Easiest Mac and Cheese EVER!
So today we're making what could potentially be dubbed the healthiest mac and cheese ever. And we're making it as easy as humanly possible.
The base of this quinoa mac and cheese is not the heavy cream or milk that you're used to. In fact, we've used butternut squash to create the ultra creamy sauce. Instead of noodles, we opted for quinoa (which is packed with protein and nutrients of course). We've got a little cheese thrown into the mix, and since I'm dairy-free I used a vegan alternative. If you're not dairy-free, feel free to use whatever type of shredded cheese you'd like!
Basically, what I'm saying here, is that is a 100% guilt-free mac n' cheese recipe that your entire family with gobble up – even the kiddos. It's seriously addicting.
Can't wait to hear what you think of this quinoa mac and cheese recipe! I swear, it's like my favorite meal on the planet right now…!
Other Easy Quinoa Dinner Recipes to try:
- One Pot Quinoa Mac and Cheese with Spinach
- Glowing Winter Quinoa Buddha Bowls
- Quinoa Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- 5-Ingredient Quinoa Pizza Crust
5-Ingredient Quinoa Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 4 cups cubed butternut squash about 1 small
- 1/4 cup almond milk
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast or parmesan
- 4 cups cooked quinoa
- 1 cup shredded vegan cheese or shredded cheese of choice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Peel and seed butternut squash. Chop into 1" chunks, add to a stock pot, cover with 1" of water and boil until fork tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and transfer to a blender.
- Add almond milk and nutritional yeast into a blender and blend on high until silky smooth and creamy. Add more milk as needed - texture should be thick, but easily pourable.
- Transfer to a bowl and add quinoa and cheese. Stir until combined.
- Transfer the quinoa mac and cheese into a baking dish, smoothing the top and sprinkling on additional cheese if desired. Bake for 20 - 30 minutes, until bubbly.
- Remove from oven, cool slightly and enjoy immediately.
Video
Notes
- Tumeric
- Chili powder
- Hot sauce
- Salt & pepper
Nutrition
Filed Under:
Tried this for the first time today, it was delicious! But I had to cut down the portion size as there was only myself eating it, but I cut it down a little too much! I’ll make more next time. I had some left over gnocchi, and so cooked it and threw it in the mix – beautiful! I think next time too I’ll try adding some pasta instead of gnocchi. Very nice, comforting dish. Thank you!
Do you cook the quinoa first before putting in oven?
yes! this recipe calls for cooked quinoa
It was so bland! I added Tabasco, garlic powder, smoked paprika, pepper, salt… I even added real cheese to top it off.
Sorry you felt that way! Did you follow the recipe?
I .LOVE. YOUR RECIPES. I’ve made a few different ones now, and this one last night, and even the hubs loved it! Thank you for sharing simple, delicious, and healthy recipes! I’m on your site and share your recipes ALL the time!! THANK YOU!!
Can’t wait to try this recipe. Your recipe lists dijon mustard but does not mention the nutritional yeast that you mention in the you tube video. Can you use both ingredients and how much yeast? Hope you can read this very light print. Don’t know how to fix it.
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Can you use regular milk instead of almond?
Definitely!
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This looks great! I sometimes add butternut squash to my mac&cheese, so I know I’ll love this recipe. My family is going camping next week and I’m trying to do my best to continue to eat healthy while away with others who don’t. I’m planning on making the squash puree before we go and jar it. That way, when we’re all having KD I can just cook some quinoa real quick and add the squash and cheese. Super happy I came across this, thanks!
I think this will definitely work for camping! I can’t wait to hear how it turns out for you 🙂 Keep me posted! xo
Since this serves 4-6 and I am only one person can I freeze the other portions? How long can this last in the fridge also? Thanks!
Yes, definitely! It can be in the fridge for at least 3 – 4 days!
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Yum! Just made this, and enjoyed it for my Super Bowl dinner. I added a shake of nutmeg and turmeric to the mixture before baking. Thanks!
Sounds lovely! I’m thrilled you enjoyed it, Ellen!
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HI,
So I made this the other day. I have to tell you, I had to be sneaky when putting this together. My hubby can form an opinion about what he is eating by what he sees going into it! lol. and I knew he would do that with this. So I served this delicious “mac and cheese” to him and he loved! When he was about half way through I told him about the squash. He was shocked! . It is that good and good for you. We loved this, next time I make it I won’t have to be sneaky…lol. Thank you!
That’s amazing!!! So glad you both enjoyed it 🙂 xo
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Wow! This is the first of your recipes I’ve tried. I didn’t think I was a big fan of quinoa, but I made this Quinoa Mac and Cheese today and it was Delicious!!! I substituted Sargento Reduced Fat 4 Cheese blend for the Goat Cheddar because that is what I had on hand. So good!
YUM! So glad you enjoyed it 🙂 I just made another batch recently and added peas and broccoli – SO good!
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This was so good and even better the next day. Even after freezing it still tasted great!
The recipe sounds awesome…. Hoping my three year old {who doesn’t like mac n cheese. or anything else for that matter} goes for it… going to make it tonight 🙂 Thanks for sharing… I totally love your blog, found you on pinterest !
Love mac and cheese but I’ve never tried it with quinoa before. Looks so good!
love this cuz my problem with mac and cheese is the mac part!
I love the idea of making a mac and cheese with quinoa. I am a huge fan, as well as my son’s fiance, the guys? Ummm well they live with it HA! I will have to through this together the next time they are over and see what they think of it.
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I tried this with cauliflaur just because it was available in my fridge…delish. I steamed the veggie kind of “aldente” so each bite was a satisfying morsel like with macaroni.
Do you know how much of this is one serving and how many calories in a serving? Thanks…so going to try this
Just calculated it with myfitnesspal and its about 450 calories per serving along with 21 grams of protein + 5 grams of fiber.
Thanks for sharing this recipe. It looks delicious! AllFreeCasseroleRecipes.com has featured it on our blog, Cheap Eats and Thrifty Crafts. You can check it out here: http://www.cheapeatsthriftycrafts.com/meatless-mondays-can-save-money/
Thanks for sharing the recipe with your readers!
I made this for dinner last night and loved it! I have to admit, I used a brick of Birdseye frozen butternut squash to save time but it worked wonderfully! I stirred the almond milk, cheese, and spices to create a seriously smooth, silky cheese sauce. (I used about a tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1/4 tsp dry mustard, and a pinch of cayenne and nutmeg — I left out the Dijon and used dry mustard instead.) Seriously, just a pinch of nutmeg makes the biggest difference in homemade mac & cheese and it complements the butternut squash as well 🙂 I have always wanted to “love” a butternut squash mac and cheese and this is the first one I’ve tried that isn’t overwhelmingly squash-y. I have a feeling this is going to be an oft-repeated meal 🙂
Yay!!!! So happy you liked it. I’m definitely going to add the nutmeg next time, sounds delish! Now that I’ve made this mac and cheese, I’m dreaming up other ways to change it up. I’m going to try carrot next I think 🙂
We don’t always have a big selection of squash at the grocer and I have no clue what size a “small” squash would weigh. But I can find frozen chunks. Can you give me a close measurement 2 cups? Etc? I want to try this! Thanks
Hmm…I think we probably used about 1 1/2 – 2 cups of squash in this recipe. I’d start with less and work your way up as you mix everything together. I’m going to have to test this yet again and get the cup measurements. I’ll report back with my findings!! xo
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Would frozen squash work with this?
I think it would, you’d just need to make sure you thaw and blend thoroughly!
So when making this do you cook the quinoa first or just put it all together and bake?
You cook the quinoa first 🙂 There wouldn’t be enough liquid for the quinoa to cook on its own. xo!
This looks yummy! I’ve never made anything with quinoa before but I think I might just have to try this!!
I think you’ll love it 🙂 Let me know how it turns out. It tastes delicious!!
I can’t wait to try this but my family and I are not fans of squash and I never buy it. I haven’t cooked with quinoa as of yet and wondered would carrots work? I have used carrots as a sneaky ingredient in a lot of my dishes.
I don’t think that carrots would be the same. What about sweet potatoes? Or you could also try pumpkin (although the flavor would be a little different). I’m going to give it a whirl with carrots and see if it works. Will be sure to let you know!
Oh yum, that’s so cool that you put butternut squash inside the mac and cheese for creaminess. The mac and cheese looks deliciously mouth watering. How did you learn to take beautiful pictures? Your’e pictures are gorgeous!
Thank you Melanie! Food photography is tough, but I’ve taught myself along the way. It’s really just practice and experimenting. I appreciate the compliment 🙂
I love the idea of using quinoa instead of pasta. It definitely delivers more in the way of nutrition. Plus the addition of butternut squash totally takes it over the top. Thank you so much helping Rachel and I make this event a success!
Thanks so much for having me, Brandy! It was super fun to be part of this event 🙂 And can’t wait for next year!
Okay, so I made this today and I want to portion it for separate meal, it mentions 4-6 servings, can you give me an estimate on how many calories there would be in a serving, this will help me decide on the size, otherwise I am liable to eat the whole thing! ha ha 🙂 I have weakness for cheese and it doesn’t help that I LOVE quinoa!!
Hi Terry, thrilled you liked mac and cheese! I actually don’t calculate the calories on my recipes, but there are tons of free online tools you can use to plug in the ingredients and it will tell you all the nutritional information 🙂
Guilt free mac & cheese… I like it!
Thanks Laurie! Can’t wait to explore your creations as well – they look delish!
This is such a cool recipe. I love that you used quinoa. I’ve never seen goat cheddar. Now I’m intrigued, need to hit the city in search of it.
I love goat cheddar! I’m sensitive to cow’s milk, so goat cheddar is a great alternative. I use it on pizza, grilled cheeses, you name it! You can purchase it at Trader Joe’s if you have one near you 🙂
I love this to pieces…going to have to try it with quinoa! thanks!
Thanks Julie! The quinoa makes it a little more healthy, which I love 🙂
I love that this is basically good for me in every way! Such a healthy alternative when that mac craving hits.
I was actually shocked how similar it tastes to the real thing! So, so good 🙂
In a pinch, would pumpkin puree work just as well?
Looks delicious – can’t wait to try it!
I think so, yes! I just think the flavor would be a little different, but pumpkin mac and cheese sounds absolutely awesome to me 🙂 Enjoy it!
I’m thinking of trying this recipe today. Do you think coconut milk would work instead of almond?
Yep! I think it would be delicious 🙂 Let me know how it goes! xo
I am always looking for more uses for quinoa, this is such a wonderful idea!
Thanks Erin! And umm…French Onion Mac N’ Cheese? Yes, ma’am, it’s calling my name!!
This looks soooo good!!!
Thank you Lori!! What a fun event this was, I’ve loved seeing everyone’s creativity 🙂
Love this (and I love Annie’s too…haha). Thanks for contributing this to mac and cheese mania!!!
Thanks for having me! It was so fun and I’ve loved seeing everyone’s recipes!
Ohhh this sounds so interesting! I’ll be trying this one for sure.
Would love to know how you enjoy it 🙂 Your mac and cheese sounds lovely!
Oh yum – sounds like a winner to me!
Thanks Tiff!
I am still training myself to totally be IN LOVE with quinoa…but adding all the cheese is DEFINITELY gonna help spur that along. Plus, squash is my fav ever.
Love that this has only 5 ingredients and is healthy!
This would be a good recipe to try then 🙂 It’s totally creamy and decadent, but actually good for you! Thanks for stopping by, Taylor 🙂
Are there nutrition facts? Calories, carbs…..
I don’t have them calculated for this recipe yet, but you can definitely add the ingredients into a tool like this: https://www.caloriecount.com/cc/recipe_analysis.php
Made this according to script the first time, family frowned. Too healthy LOL This time, I cooked the quinoa in 2/3 chicken broth and 1/3 water. Also added onion and garlic powder to the quinoa water. Added a small amount of cheddar to the final mix and voila! They are into it : ) Thanks for this great alternative to heavy cream, gobs of cheese and pasta!
That’s amazing! Love that you were able to adjust the recipe to make them like it 🙂 Yay for healthy mac and cheese!
Yesssss, I love quinoa but hot cheesy quinoa looks even better. Love this!
Thanks, Becca! Can’t really think of a better combo than quinoa and cheese 😉 Plus it’s actually healthy – even better!