Let’s get one thing straight: this is not health food. This is cozy-up-on-the-couch, wear-your-stretchy-pants, “I deserve this” kind of food. The kind that makes you question why you ever thought bland salads could fill an emotional void.
Enter: Vegan Bratwurst Mac and Cheese. It’s creamy, cheesy (without the dairy drama), and loaded with plant-based brat slices that make every bite feel like Oktoberfest in your mouth—but without the beer hangover or actual German travel expenses.
So yeah, it’s kinda epic.
Why This Recipe is Awesome
- Two comfort foods in one. Brats + mac = genius level decision making.
- It’s 100% dairy-free, meat-free, and regret-free.
- You’ll only use one pot and one skillet. Less cleanup = more time to bask in your carb coma.
- You can throw it together on a weeknight and still feel like a kitchen boss.
- Impressively indulgent but totally plant-based. Even your cheese-snob uncle won’t know what hit him.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Don’t stress, nothing here requires a specialty food store run… unless you’re out of pasta, in which case—how dare you.
- 12 oz macaroni noodles (or any short pasta that holds sauce like a champ)
- 2 vegan bratwurst sausages (Field Roast, Beyond, or whatever’s local and juicy)
- 2 tbsp vegan butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (for your basic roux flex)
- 2 cups unsweetened plant milk (oat and soy work best for creaminess—avoid almond unless you enjoy disappointment)
- 1 ½ cups vegan shredded cheddar (the meltier the better)
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast (optional, but adds cheesy oomph)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: chopped parsley, hot sauce, crushed chips (for that chef’s kiss crunch)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Boil the pasta.
Salt your water like it owes you money. Cook pasta according to the package directions until just al dente. Drain and set aside. Don’t overcook it—we’re not making cheese soup here.
2. Brown those brats.
Slice the vegan bratwurst into rounds. Heat a skillet over medium and brown them in a little oil until crispy on the edges. Set them aside, but try not to eat them all straight from the pan. I believe in you. Kinda.
3. Make your cheese sauce.
In the same pot you used for pasta (yay, less dishes!), melt vegan butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and stir for a minute to form a roux. Add your plant milk slowly, whisking constantly so it doesn’t clump up like your last relationship.
4. Cheese it up.
Once the sauce thickens (give it 3–5 minutes), stir in the vegan cheese, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt + pepper. Keep stirring until it’s smooth, creamy, and smells like heaven’s break room.
5. Bring it all together.
Add your cooked pasta and browned brat slices to the sauce. Stir gently to combine and let it all mingle for a couple minutes on low heat.
6. Taste and tweak.
Need more salt? A little heat? Splash of hot sauce? Go wild—it’s your mac kingdom.
7. Serve hot.
Bonus points if you top it with parsley, crushed chips, or more cheese. Triple points if you eat it out of the pot while standing over the stove.
Alternatives & Substitutions
Feeling experimental? Forgot to grocery shop? No worries, I got you:
- No vegan brats? Use vegan Italian sausage, chorizo, or even smoky tempeh. Anything with big flavor will work.
- Gluten-free? Use GF pasta and a GF flour blend for the roux. Many plant-based brats are GF-friendly too.
- Low on cheese? Sub part of it with blended cashew cheese sauce or even mashed sweet potato for a sneaky health boost (I won’t tell).
- Want it baked? Throw it all in a casserole dish, top with breadcrumbs and extra cheese, and bake at 375°F for 15 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Final Thoughts
There you go. Creamy, bratty, carby perfection. If comfort food were a sport, you just won the gold medal. This dish brings big flavor with zero animal anything, and you made it happen. Look at you go.
Whether you’re sharing this at a potluck or hoarding it for your next three lunches, you’re gonna feel very pleased with yourself.
Now go on, grab a fork and dive in. You’ve earned this cheesy masterpiece. And maybe keep the recipe handy. You’re definitely going to be asked for it. 😉