Mac and cheese isn’t the same without milk, but sometimes you need a substitute. Can you use other milk alternatives like almond milk to replace regular milk in mac and cheese?
You can use almond milk to make mac and cheese as a vegan or lactose-free alternative. We recommend using one that is unsweetened and unflavored. Sweetened almond milk will make your mac and cheese too sweet, while flavored almond milk will change the dish’s flavor.
Almond milk can be an excellent choice for making vegan mac and cheese, but there are some things you need to remember to make it taste right. Keep on reading to discover what they are!
Can You Use Almond Milk in Mac and Cheese?
You can use almond milk to make a delicious vegan or lactose-free mac and cheese, but there are a few things to consider.
There are vegan mac and cheese brands out there, but you can also make it yourself. If you’re planning to make a homemade version, you might want to consider the price. Plant-based milk options like almond milk and soy milk are almost double the price of regular cow’s milk (source: NY Post).
Almond milk also has less protein than cow’s milk. A cup of unsweetened almond milk has 0.976 g of protein (source: USDA Food Data Central), while a cup of whole milk has 8 g of protein (source: USDA Food Data Central).
The protein content is important because milk proteins coagulate through heat (source: Science Direct). If you use almond milk in mac and cheese, it most likely will not thicken as much as whole milk would.
You might have to use starches such as cornstarch or potato starch to thicken it up if you are lactose-intolerant or vegan. You can also use arrowroot powder to make it thicker and creamier.
Moreover, almond milk does not have the same level of creamy consistency as cow’s milk. This is because it does not have the same amount of fat. The fat in milk helps to create a creamy and smooth texture.
All these factors will contribute to the difference in taste between traditional mac and cheese and one made with almond milk.
If you want to cut back on calories, almond milk is the better option as it contains only 2.34 g of total fat and 3.2 g of carbohydrates per cup of milk (source: USDA Food Data Central), compared to whole milk’s 7.81 g of fat and 11.4g carbohydrates (source: USDA Food Data Central).
According to a poll conducted by Food Network, more people prefer baked mac and cheese to stovetop versions, but it all boils down to your preference.
Stovetop mac and cheese is usually quicker and easier, while baked mac and cheese has a crispy top layer that some people prefer. Both methods work well with almond milk.
If you are using almond milk to make stovetop mac and cheese, cook pasta in the almond milk according to the package instructions. Then, add the rest of the ingredients and cook until the cheese is melted.
When it comes to homemade almond milk versus store-bought, it really depends on your preference. If you want to save time, you can buy almond milk at the store. Just make sure it is pasteurized and does not contain any added sweeteners or flavors. If you want to control the ingredients, you can make your own almond milk at home.
To make almond milk, you will need a blender, a cheesecloth or nut milk bag, and raw almonds. First, soak the almonds overnight. The next day, drain and rinse them, then blend the almonds with water until they are smooth.
Next, strain the mixture using a cheesecloth or nut milk bag. Squeeze out all the liquid. You can add sweeteners or flavorings if you want, but it is not necessary.
Can You Make Kraft or Annie’s Mac and Cheese With Almond Milk?
You can use almond milk to make Kraft or Annie’s Mac and Cheese. It will be the same as if you used cow’s milk. Almond milk and other plant-based milk options are commonly recommended for vegan mac and cheese.
If you want to buy almond milk instead of preparing your own, brands like Blue Diamond, Elmhurst, and Silk are some of the best unsweetened and unflavored almond milks for mac and cheese. PETA also has a list of vegan mac and cheese brands.
Choose a brand of unsweetened and unflavored almond milk for the best results. You may also use other thickeners like xanthan gum and carboxymethyl cellulose gum, which are proven to be effective thickening agents (source: Journal of Food Science and Technology).
Almond Milk Mac and Cheese Recipes
If you want to try making almond milk mac and cheese, try these recipes :
- Creamy Vegan Mac and Cheese: A simple yet delicious recipe for vegans. Try this recipe from The Hidden Veggies. You can find the usual ingredients found in mac and cheese but it uses almond milk instead of cow’s milk. This is perfect for those who are looking for a vegan alternative.
- Spicy Creamy Mac and Cheese with Almond Milk: Spice up your life with this flavorful mac and cheese recipe from The Simple Veganista. It uses almond milk to create a creamy cheese sauce and is full of flavor. You can use any pasta of choice for this dish and add in some veggies if you want. This mac and cheese has cayenne pepper, paprika, and chili powder to give it a little bit of a kick!
Almond milk is a great plant-based substitute for cow’s milk. Just make sure to follow our tips to get the most out of it, and give these recipes a try!
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