Mac and cheese is a beloved dish that brings comfort and healing to the masses. It’s a staple at many holiday tables and tastes good with just about any meal. Are you unable to enjoy this delicious dish and are wondering if you can use almond milk in your mac and cheese?
You can use almond milk as an alternative to cow’s milk in mac and cheese. It contains less fat, cholesterol, calories, and sugar than regular dairy, but can slightly change the flavor of your mac and cheese.
Keep reading for more information about using almond milk in mac and cheese.
Can You Substitute Almond Milk In Mac And Cheese?
Perhaps you have a dairy allergy or choose to eat vegan, or you are providing a meal for someone who does. Mac and cheese has long been a staple of households for generations and is enjoyed by kids and adults alike. Can you make mac and cheese with almond milk as a substitute for dairy?
Simply stated, yes, you can use almond milk in mac and cheese. While some swear that you can only use cow’s milk to make proper mac and cheese, almond milk makes an excellent alternative.
Almond milk is a dairy-free alternative that is available in both sweetened and unsweetened varieties. We prefer using the sweetened version because it is more similar to the sweetness of cow's milk, but the choice is entirely yours.
How To Substitute Almond Milk For Milk In Mac and Cheese?
Almond milk is one the easiest replacement for cow’s milk in mac and cheese because it is a 1:1 substitute. This means if your recipe calls for 2 cups of milk, you can substitute that for 2 cups of almond milk.
Cow’s Milk Vs. Almond Milk In Mac And Cheese
Aside from flavor and texture, there are several differences between cow's milk and almond milk.
Here are some of the main differences between cow’s milk and almond milk in mac and cheese.
Almond milk has a higher protein content than cow's milk. This can help people who want to develop muscle mass or lose weight. It can also aid patients in healing from surgery or injury by allowing them to gain muscle mass.
Cow's milk has a higher fat content than almond milk. Cow's milk includes approximately 8 grams of fat per serving, but almond milk contains only 1.5 grams. This is crucial for people who are trying to lose weight or lower their cholesterol.
Because almond milk has fewer carbohydrates than cow's milk, it may be a healthier choice for people who have diabetes or metabolic syndrome (also known as pre-diabetes).
Cow's milk contains cholesterol, whereas almond milk does not. This can help those who are seeking to reduce their levels of this chemical in order to avoid heart disease and other health issues.
Benefits Of Using Almond Milk In Mac And Cheese
Almond Milk Is Packed With Nutrients
Almond milk is low in calories and sugar, as well as is plant-based and lactose-free.
Almond milk has a nutrient profile that is quite similar to that of cow's milk, and it is high in calcium, protein, vitamin D, and vitamin E. Almond milk also contains less fat and cholesterol than cow's milk.
Because there are few good sources of vitamin D in the human diet, it is a frequent public health practice to add the nutrient to some foods, particularly milk products.
Almond milk, like cow's milk, often contains vitamin D to assist in combating deficiency, which can lead to brittle bones, tiredness, and weak muscles.
Further, almond milk also includes no cow's milk or other animal ingredients, making it an excellent choice for vegans and those who are lactose intolerant or allergic to milk.
Almond Milk Can Prevent Certain Diseases
Almond milk enhanced with calcium, like most commercial versions, can provide up to 37% of your daily calcium needs.
As a result, it can help to strengthen your bones and reduce your risk of osteoporosis.
Almond milk includes healthy fats and is also high in vitamin E. Drinking it often could benefit your heart.
Bottom line: There are many benefits to consuming almond milk, and among them is making delicious mac and cheese.
What is The Best Type of Almond Milk For Cooking Mac and Cheese?
If you're going to use almond milk to cook mac and cheese, you should use plain unsweetened almond milk.
Flavored almond milk (e.g. vanilla or chocolate almond milk) will drastically change the flavor of your dish.
Likewise, sweetened almond milk typically contains 2-4 tsp of added sugar, which can make your mac and cheese too sweet.
Texture of Almond Milk In Mac And Cheese
Almond milk is much thinner than cow’s milk, so it will not produce the thick, creamy sauce of traditional mac and cheese.
You can fix this by adding more roux (a flour and butter mixture) or cheese. I mean, who doesn't want more cheese?
Almond milk also offers all of the essential flavors without the creaminess that you'd expect from milk.
Related: How to Thicken Almond Milk
Mac And Cheese With Almond Milk Recipes
A simple Google search can provide you with a plethora of recipes that substitute almond milk for cow’s milk in mac and cheese. We have vetted these results and compiled a few of our favorites.
First, The Little Kitchen outlines a take on classic mac and cheese and elevates it by adding swiss gruyere and parmesan cheeses.
Food.com has an excellent recipe for completely lactose-free mac and cheese.
Next, you have to check out this vegan mac and cheese recipe with a crunchy topping from Broke Bank Vegan. They even include raw cashews and red pepper flakes in their mac and cheese!
Finally, we love the almond milk mac and cheese recipe from Ka Pai Cooking. Their recipe is for an oven-baked mac and cheese with a creamy sauce and crispy topping. Yum!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Use Almond Milk In Kraft Mac And Cheese?
Many people believe almond milk is not a good substitute for cow’s milk in Kraft Mac and Cheese because it is much thinner than other dairy alternatives.
However, it can be used as a 1:1 substitute when stirred in slowly. Follow all other directions on the box for making the dish.
As it cools, the cheese sauce will thicken. Please note, that the taste of the Kraft Mac and Cheese when made with almond milk will have a sweeter, nuttier taste than when made with cow’s milk.
Can You Use Vanilla Almond Milk in Mac and Cheese?
Technically you can use vanilla almond milk in mac and cheese, but it will significantly change the flavor of your dish. We recommend using unsweetened almond milk in your mac and cheese for a more classic flavor.
Is Almond Milk Good In Mac And Cheese?
Almond milk can be delicious in mac and cheese, especially when using one of the recipes above. The key to successfully using almond milk in mac and cheese is to add ingredients to compliment the almond milk, rather than treating it like cow’s milk.
Is Almond Milk A Better Substitute Than Water For Mac And Cheese?
In a pinch, you can use water in mac and cheese instead of cow’s milk or almond milk.
However, almond milk has a creamier and richer flavor profile than water and will produce and creamier and richer cheese sauce than water.
