Substitute for Milk in Mac and Cheese: 14 Best Alternatives (Including Vegan Options)
Updated on March 20, 2023
Crafting mac and cheese with a unique twist can be hard when trying to avoid cow’s milk. But don’t worry, there are plenty of delicious dairy-free substitutes that will work perfectly in your mac and cheese recipes. Discover the many options available to give your mac and cheese recipe a flavorful upgrade without any of the dairy.
Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food dish made of macaroni noodles baked in a creamy cheese sauce. Combined with cheese and butter, milk becomes an essential part of a mac and cheese recipe. Milk adds creaminess, richness, and lusciousness to the dish, creating a velvety texture. Adding milk at the start of cooking also helps give the macaroni a more tender bite than when boiled in only water. When using a substitute for milk in mac and cheese, it should replace its qualities.
There are many reasons for using an alternative to regular milk in mac and cheese. For example, you might be out of regular milk. Milk alternatives add a creamy consistency to mac and cheese without fat or cholesterol. If you’re lactose intolerant or just watching your calorie intake, dairy-free milk substitutes are a good option.
This article discusses the best dairy and vegan substitutes for milk in mac and cheese. Learn more in the FAQs section below.
What are the best dairy substitutes for milk in mac and cheese?
The best dairy substitutes for milk in mac and cheese are cream cheese, sour cream, Greek yogurt, whipping cream, and powdered milk. Check out more info about each.
1. Cream cheese
Cream cheese is one of the best milk substitutes for mac and cheese. It has a slightly sweet taste, almost similar to milk. The only difference between the two is consistency. Cream cheese is thicker, making your mac and cheese richer and creamier.
When using cream cheese in place of milk for mac and cheese, apply the 1:1 ratio. For example, if the recipe calls for 2 cups of milk, use 2 cups of cream and cheese. However, melt the cream cheese before adding it to the mac and cheese. Since cream cheese is already thick enough, you don’t need butter. Your sauce will still be creamy and extra cheesy.
2. Sour cream
Sour cream is another good substitute when you don’t have milk for mac and cheese. It has the texture of milk but a more complex flavor. Sour cream is thicker than milk and has a tangy, almost sour flavor that brings an exciting twist to your mac and cheese.
Substitute milk with sour cream in equal parts. The flavor will be different than if you had used cream cheese, so you may have to add other ingredients to give it extra punch.
When using sour cream in place of milk for mac and cheese, apply the 1:1 ratio. For example, if the recipe calls for 2 cups of milk, use 2 cups of sour cream. However, whip the sour cream well before adding it to the recipe. Additionally, since sour cream is acidic, you can use freshly minced garlic to balance the flavor.
3. Greek yogurt
Greek yogurt is a decent milk substitute for mac and cheese because it gives the dish a similar taste. Greek yogurt is significantly creamier than milk, adding a new dimension of flavors to your meal. Plain, unflavored Greek yogurt is the best choice unless you want a fruity mac and cheese.
When using Greek yogurt in place of milk for mac and cheese, apply the 1:1 ratio. For example, if the recipe calls for 2 cups of milk, use 2 cups of Greek yogurt. Keep in mind that yogurt separates when heated too fast, so make sure to heat it slowly when preparing warm mac and cheese.
4. Whipping cream
Whipping cream is a good substitute for milk in mac and cheese, thanks to its similar consistency. However, whipping cream creates a creamier, richer mac and cheese than milk.
When using whipping cream in place of milk for mac and cheese, apply the 1:1 ratio. For example, if the recipe calls for 2 cups of milk, use 2 cups of whipping cream.
5. Powdered milk
Powdered milk is a good option for mac and cheese since it’s dried milk. You just have to combine it with water. Compared to regular milk, powdered milk has a longer shelf life, so you can keep it in your pantry for a long time
When using powdered milk in place of regular milk for mac and cheese, apply the 1:1 ratio. For example, if the recipe calls for 2 cups of milk, prepare 2 cups of powdered milk with water by following the packaging instructions and use this mixture.
What are the best dairy-free substitutes for milk in mac and cheese?
The best dairy-free substitutes for milk in mac and cheese are coconut milk or cream, almond milk, soy milk, chicken broth, oat milk, cashew milk, quinoa milk, rice milk, and hemp seed milk. Check out more info about each.
1. Coconut milk or cream
Coconut milk or cream is a great non-dairy and vegan milk substitute for mac and cheese. The key difference is that coconut milk has a subtle coconut flavor. It won’t ruin the dish if you don’t mind a coconut taste in your mac and cheese. Otherwise, dilute the coconut milk with water and season it with freshly minced garlic and herbs.
Coconut cream is thicker and creamier than coconut milk, making your mac and cheese creamier and richer. If you are using coconut milk, it’s best to choose unsweetened and full-fat coconut milk.
When using coconut milk or cream in place of milk for mac and cheese, apply the 1:1 ratio. For example, if the recipe calls for 2 cups of milk, use 2 cups of coconut milk or cream.
2. Almond milk
Almond milk is another fantastic dairy-free milk substitute for mac and cheese. It has a distinctive nutty flavor, and it’s thinner than regular milk, so it will not create a creamy and thick mac and cheese. But you can solve this problem by adding a thickening agent like flour.
Use either sweetened or unsweetened almond milk, depending on your preference, to replace regular milk in mac and cheese. Between the two, unsweetened almond milk has a flavor closer to regular milk.
When using almond milk in place of regular milk for mac and cheese, apply the 1:1 ratio. For example, if the recipe calls for 2 cups of milk, use 2 cups of almond milk.
3. Soy milk
Soy milk is a decent milk substitute in mac and cheese, thanks to its similar consistency, although it has a distinct taste unappreciated by some people. It is possible to use flavored or unsweetened soy milk. Between the two options, the unflavored variety is better since it better replicates regular milk.
When using soy milk in place of regular milk for mac and cheese, apply the 1:1 ratio. For example, if the recipe calls for 2 cups of milk, use 2 cups of soy milk.
4. Chicken broth
Chicken broth is a decent substitute for milk in mac and cheese despite its thinner consistency and different flavor. But you can easily fix the thickness problem by mixing the chicken broth with a thickening agent such as flour or parmesan cheese if you don’t necessarily prefer a dairy alternative.
When using chicken broth in place of milk for mac and cheese, apply the 1:1 ratio. For example, if the recipe calls for 2 cups of milk, use 2 cups of chicken broth.
5. Oat milk
Oak milk is a good vegan substitute for milk in mac and cheese, thanks to its similar creamy consistency and texture. It is slightly sweeter than milk but doesn’t have the intense, nutty flavor of other nut-based milks. In mac and cheese, oat milk blends so well with the other ingredients that you won’t taste it.
Although it is possible to use either sweetened or unflavored oat milk for mac and cheese, the plain kind is better since it’s closer to the neutral taste of regular milk.
When using oat milk in place of milk for mac and cheese, apply the 1:1 ratio. For example, if the recipe calls for 2 cups of milk, use 2 cups of oat milk.
6. Cashew milk
Cashew milk is a great substitute for regular milk in mac and cheese, thanks to its rich flavor and silky-smooth consistency. Like oak milk, cashew milk blends perfectly with other mac and cheese ingredients.
When using cashew milk in place of regular milk for mac and cheese, apply the 1:1 ratio. For example, if the recipe calls for 2 cups of milk, use 2 cups of cashew milk. Be sure to use unflavored cashew milk since it resembles regular milk better than the flavored kind.
7. Quinoa milk
Quinoa milk is a fantastic, underrated substitute for milk, even in mac and cheese. It is based on grain and made from water and quinoa seeds. Compared to regular milk, quinoa milk is slightly sweeter and has a nutty flavor.
When using quinoa milk in place of regular milk for mac and cheese, apply the 1:1 ratio. For example, if the recipe calls for 2 cups of milk, use 2 cups of quinoa milk.
8. Rice milk
Rice milk is a great alternative to milk when making mac and cheese since its flavor closely resembles cow’s milk. However, its texture is almost watery, so you should fix this by adding flour and melted butter to the sauce and extra cheese to the macaroni.
When using rice milk in place of regular milk for mac and cheese, apply the 1:1 ratio. For example, if the recipe calls for 2 cups of milk, use 2 cups of rice milk.
9. Hemp seed milk
Hemp seed milk is a good alternative when you don’t have milk for mac and cheese. It has an earthy, nutty flavor, but it’s thicker and creamier than regular milk.
When using hemp seed milk in place of regular milk for mac and cheese, apply the 1:3 ratio. For example, if the recipe calls for 3 cups of milk, use 1 cup of hemp seed milk.
FAQs
Discover more information about milk substitutes for mac and cheese.
How can I thicken mac and cheese without milk?
There are many ways to thicken mac and cheese without milk. For example, use cream cheese or yogurt, stir in a little cornstarch, add more cheese, or try adding eggs.
Can I use water or butter as a milk substitute in mac and cheese?
Yes, water and butter are both great alternatives for milk in mac and cheese. Adding a few tablespoons of melted butter gives your dish a richer flavor while helping it thicken. Water is a lighter alternative, although you should add less water than milk to avoid creating a runny sauce.
Are there any dairy-free alternatives for mac and cheese?
Yes. For example, make a vegan version of mac and cheese using plant-based milk substitutes such as soy, almond, or oat milk. Vegetables like cauliflower, zucchini, and sweet potatoes can thicken the sauce without dairy. Nutritional yeast gives your dish a cheesy flavor while keeping it vegan-friendly.
Conclusion
Milk is a binding ingredient that gives mac and cheese a rich and creamy texture. However, you may not always have regular milk lying around. As this article proves, there are many milk alternatives that will save your dish.