If you’re looking for a quick, simple, and filling vegan dinner idea that's also family-friendly, then this vegan chili mac recipe is for you! It can be made gluten-free (if you use gluten free macaroni) and it can be made in either your Instant Pot / pressure cooker or on the stove top. Keep reading for all the details!
You know those dinner recipes you keep in your back pocket to turn to when you need to get something ready fast? Those recipes everyone will eat? And will fill them up?
Along with my mushroom stew, vegan bolognese, and my lentil sloppy joes, this vegan chili mac falls into that category, for me.
It's an easy vegan dinner that can be customized, based on what you and your family likes, and it's comfort food that's filled with good stuff. There are wins all around with this recipe.
So let's go over all you need to know so you can make it, too!
How to Make Vegan Chili Mac and Cheese
(Note: I’ve outlined the step-by-step for this vegetarian chili mac recipe here, but find the full recipe, ingredients, and directions for both cooking methods at the end of this post.)
The first thing I need to point out is that you can make this "Instant Pot chili mac" or "stove top chili mac." It's up to you, it will turn out perfectly both ways.
I know that not everyone owns a pressure cooker, so any time I share a recipe that calls for one, I always include the stove top method as well for you. (But if you don't have an Instant Pot, I highly recommend getting one, this is the one I have and love!).
The only difference between the two methods is the timing (just a few minutes difference) and, of course, the cooking. (In my pictures below, I'm making the recipe in my Instant Pot.)
The first step is to chop your onion, red pepper, and garlic. Sauté them and then add the spices and salt.
Next, add the remaining ingredients, except for the vegan cheese and cilantro, and set to pressure cook (image on the left, below).
After a few minutes, your cooked dairy free chili macaroni is ready for the final add-ins (image on the right, below).
Add the vegan cheese and the cilantro and mix well until everything has combined.
And that's it, dinner is ready!
When I make my vegan chili mac, I keep it simple, but you can customize it based on what you like.
Corn? Or No Corn?
I love adding corn to any chili, like my slow cooker chili recipe, but my house is divided on the addition of corn in this particular recipe, so I usually keep it out.
If you do want to add it, I've included instructions on when to add it in the recipe below.
Other Optional Add-Ins
You can also add vegan meat crumbles when sautéing the onions if you'd like.
The chili powder I use is mild and has no heat to it (I'm cooking for kids, too!), so you can add some heat by using a spicy chili powder, or by adding a small minced jalapeno pepper, or hot sauce.
What Kind of Pasta Should Be Used?
I always use elbow macaroni, but if you want something different, you can use any other small shaped pasta, just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Regular pasta or gluten free pasta can be used (I always make mine gluten free chili mac by using gluten free elbow macaroni).
Pressure Cooker Timing for Regular Pasta
The rule for wheat pasta is to divide the time on the box by two. So if the pasta calls for 8 minutes of cooking time, cook for 4 minutes in the pressure cooker.
Pressure Cooking Time for Gluten-Free Pasta
I’ve found that the best timing, for the gluten free pasta brand I use, is to divide the boil time listed on the box by 2 and minus 1.
So if the pasta calls for 8 minutes of boiling time, the pressure cooking time would be 3 minutes.
These rules will not only work with this gluten free chili mac recipe, I've found that it applies to any gluten free pasta recipe prepared in the Instant Pot. (I've made LOTS of pasta based meals in my Instant Pot!)
Is There a Particular Pasta Brand That Works Best?
My preferred gluten-free pasta for my all of my recipes, pressure cooker recipes included, is Barilla. It’s rice and corn based and holds up just like a wheat-based pasta.
It also has the same texture as wheat pasta. (This is not sponsored, I just love their gf noodles!)
This brand does not require constant stirring to prevent the pasta from sticking together, nor does it make a thick, pasty water while it cooks.
Since these things usually happen with brown rice based pastas, I would not recommend a brown rice based pasta for this one pot chili mac and cheese or any one-pot pasta recipe.
I have only made this recipe using Barilla’s macaroni noodles, so I can only speak for that type of pasta. If you’re using a different brand, you may need to do a little experimentation to find the perfect pressure cooker timing for that particular one, but using the guidelines above will help.
If you do end up trying another brand that works well for you, tell me about it in the comments!
How to Serve Easy Vegan Chili Mac
You can serve it like I do in the pictures, with a little more cilantro sprinkled on top along with some more vegan cheese shreds.
If you want something different, try one or more of the following:
- vegan sour cream
- cashew cream
- parsley
- green onions
- chives
- sliced jalapenos
- hot sauce
- diced fresh tomatoes
- diced red onion
- diced avocado
- guacamole
- crumbled tortilla chips
What If I have Leftover Chili Mac and Cheese?
Leftovers are a good thing! After it has cooled completely, place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Can I Make it Ahead and Freeze?
Yes! You can make a batch for vegan meal prep and freeze. Cool completely and place in an airtight container that's safe for the freezer.
When you're ready for it, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat when ready. You can add a little more vegan cheese to add a little moisture after it has heated.
Chili mac will keep in the freezer for up to 3-months.
Did You Make This Recipe?
If so, please leave me a comment and rating below, I'd love to hear from you!
If you like this easy vegan dinner recipe, you’ll probably also like these:
- Vegan Garlic Pasta
- Creamy Vegan Tomato Pasta
- Vegan Fried Rice
- Taco Rice Bowls
- Cheesy Taco Pasta
- Creamy Broccoli Pasta
- Butternut Squash Sweet Potato Carrot Soup
- BBQ Chickpea and Roasted Veggie Bowls
And you may like these other Instant Pot related posts:
Vegan Chili Mac
Suggested Equipment:
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons olive oil (see note below if you are oil free)
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 ¼ teaspoons salt
- 1 ½ cups (1 x 14oz / 398ml can) diced tomatoes (don't drain the liquid!)
- 1 ½ cups (1 x 14oz / 398ml can) crushed tomatoes
- 1 ½ cups (1 x 14oz / 398ml can) black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 ¾ cups (1 x 14oz / 398ml can) red kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
- 12 ounces (340g box / 3 ½ cups) dry macaroni (gluten-free, if needed)
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 ½ cups vegan cheese shreds
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro or parsley, finely chopped
Instructions:
Instant Pot Method:
- Set your Instant Pot to sauté and add oil. Once heated, add the onions and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes.
- Add the diced red pepper and sauté for another 2 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 1 minute.
- Add chili powder, cumin, and salt, stir to coat the onions, red pepper and garlic.
- Add diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans and stir again. Add macaroni, and vegetable broth, stir to combine everything, be sure scrape up any bits that have stuck to the bottom of the pot.
- Place and lock lid onto the pot and close the pressure release valve. Set to pressure cook for 2 minutes (timing will vary based on type of noodles you're using, see info above). Pot will take roughly 10 minutes to come to pressure.
- When the pressure cooking time has ended, press cancel and carefully open the pressure release valve to manually release the pressure.
- Once pressure has been released and the float valve pin has dropped, slowly unlock and remove the lid.
- Add vegan cheese shreds and chopped cilantro (or parsley) and stir to combine. Serve immediately.
Stove Top Method:
- Over medium high heat and add oil to a large pot. Once heated, add the onions and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes.
- Add the diced red pepper and sauté for another 2 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 1 minute.
- Add chili powder, cumin, and salt, stir to coat the onions, red pepper and garlic.
- Add diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, black beans and kidney beans and stir again. Add macaroni, and vegetable broth, stir to combine everything.
- Bring mixture to a boil, stir, lower temperature, cover, and simmer. Keep an eye on it, if the liquid is drying up and the pasta is not fully cooked, add a little more broth.
- When pasta has absorbed the liquid and is cooked through (roughly 7-10 minutes), remove the pot from the heat.
- Add vegan cheese shreds and stir to combine. Add chopped cilantro (or parsley) and stir again. Serve immediately.
Recipe Notes:
- Please read all of the helpful info and FAQ above to ensure recipe success.
- This recipe makes 4-5 servings (depending on how large you make each serving).
- Can sizes differ in the US and Canada. I am in Canada, so I've included as much info as I could so you know how much to use.
- Use water or broth instead of the oil if you are oil-free.
- Crushed tomatoes are also called tomato sauce, if buying tomato sauce, be sure that it is plain and has no seasonings or flavours added to it.
- I use no salt canned beans but you can also make this recipe with beans you've cooked from dry, use the cup measurements if you do it this way.
- Use your favourite vegan cheese shreds. I like to use vegan pepperjack or cheddar flavoured shreds.
- 1 cup of fresh or frozen corn can also be added to the pressure cooker before cooking. If using the stove top method, corn can be added at the same time as the beans.
- Cooking time above is based on the stove top method. Cooking time for the pressure cooker method is 15 minutes prep + 2 minutes cook time + 10 minutes to come up to pressure (27 minutes total).
- Nutrition info is for 1 serving (of 5) prepared as the recipe is written and without any toppings. I used cilantro, low sodium broth, no salt added diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, black beans red kidney beans, and gluten-free macaroni. Data below is only to be used as a rough guide. Click to learn how nutrition info is determined on this website.
JoAnn says
If a person uses beefless crumbles do you brown those after sautéing the veggies. Mmmm can’t wait to make this
Gwen Leron says
Hi JoAnn, I would add the crumbles when the veggies are almost finished sautéeing veggies. Let me know how things go, I hope you love it!