TL;DR
We tested 15+ vegan mac and cheese brands. Top picks: Goodles Vegan Is Believin' (best boxed overall), Annie's Vegan Shells (best value), Banza Vegan Mac (best high-protein), Daiya Deluxe (best frozen/microwave), and for restaurant mac, Reverie Cafe in Minneapolis is untouchable. Avoid: generic store brands and anything with coconut-heavy cheese sauces that taste like a luau.
Best Vegan Mac and Cheese Brands: The Definitive 2026 Rankings
Here's the thing about vegan mac and cheese: it ranges from "oh my god this is incredible" to "did someone melt a crayon into pasta?" There's almost no middle ground.
We bought every vegan mac and cheese brand we could get our hands on, cooked them all according to package directions (we're scientists, not animals), and ranked them from best to "please stop making this." We also threw in our favorite restaurant mac and cheese for good measure, because Minneapolis has at least one vegan mac that puts every boxed version to shame.
Let's do this.
🏆 The Final Rankings: Boxed Vegan Mac & Cheese
#1: Goodles Vegan Is Believin'
Overall Score: 9.2/10
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cheese Flavor | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Texture | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Creaminess | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Value | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Availability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The verdict: Goodles absolutely nailed it. The sauce is creamy, tangy, and actually tastes like cheese—not "cheese-flavored product." The noodles are made with hidden vegetables and protein, which is a nice bonus when you're eating your third box this week (no judgment).
What sets it apart: The sauce has this slight sharpness that mimics aged cheddar. Most vegan mac sauces either taste like nothing or taste aggressively of nutritional yeast. Goodles found the sweet spot.
Where to buy: Target, Whole Foods, Thrive Market, Amazon Price: ~$4-5/box
#2: Annie's Organic Vegan Shells & Creamy Sauce
Overall Score: 8.8/10
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cheese Flavor | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Texture | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Creaminess | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Availability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The verdict: The best value in vegan mac and cheese. Annie's has been doing this longer than most brands, and it shows. Organic pasta, creamy sauce with a slightly tangy finish, and available literally everywhere.
What sets it apart: Consistency and price. Every box tastes the same (in a good way), and at $3-4 it's the most affordable option that doesn't taste like cardboard.
Pro tip: Add a tablespoon of Miyoko's butter and a splash of oat milk while cooking. Takes it from 8.8 to about 9.5.
Where to buy: Target, Walmart, every grocery store, Amazon Price: ~$3-4/box
#3: Banza Vegan Mac & Cheese
Overall Score: 8.5/10
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cheese Flavor | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Texture | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Creaminess | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Value | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Availability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The verdict: If you want high-protein, chickpea-based noodles with vegan cheese, Banza is your move. The pasta has more texture and a slightly nuttier flavor than traditional noodles, and the cheese sauce is solid.
What sets it apart: 25g of protein per box from the chickpea pasta. If you're a vegan who actually cares about macros, this is the one.
Caveat: The chickpea pasta releases starch differently, so the sauce can be a bit thicker. Add extra liquid.
Where to buy: Target, Whole Foods, most grocery stores, Amazon Price: ~$4-5/box
#4: Modern Table Mac & Cheese
Overall Score: 8.2/10
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cheese Flavor | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Texture | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Creaminess | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Value | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Availability | ⭐⭐⭐ |
The verdict: Lentil-based noodles with a surprisingly good cheese sauce. Not quite as refined as Goodles or Annie's, but a strong option for anyone avoiding gluten.
What sets it apart: The lentil pasta gives it extra protein and fiber without the chickpea flavor of Banza.
Where to buy: Whole Foods, Target, co-ops, Amazon Price: ~$4-5/box
#5: Daiya Deluxe Cheddar Style
Overall Score: 7.9/10
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cheese Flavor | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Texture | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Creaminess | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Availability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The verdict: The best frozen/microwaveable option. Daiya Deluxe comes with a pre-made sauce (not powder), which makes it incredibly creamy with minimal effort. The cheese flavor is milder than the top picks but still satisfying.
What sets it apart: Easiest prep of any option. Boil noodles, stir in sauce, done. No butter, no milk substitute required.
Where to buy: Literally everywhere — Target, Walmart, every grocery store, Amazon Price: ~$4-5/box
📊 The Full Comparison
| Brand | Score | Protein | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodles | 9.2 | 17g | Best overall taste | $4-5 |
| Annie's | 8.8 | 8g | Best value | $3-4 |
| Banza | 8.5 | 25g | Highest protein | $4-5 |
| Modern Table | 8.2 | 14g | Gluten-conscious | $4-5 |
| Daiya Deluxe | 7.9 | 7g | Easiest prep | $4-5 |
🍽️ Best Vegan Mac & Cheese at Minneapolis Restaurants
Sometimes you don't want to cook. We get it. Here's where to get the best vegan mac and cheese served to you on a plate, by a human, with a drink in your other hand.
#1: Reverie Cafe + Bar — The GOAT
South Minneapolis | $$ | 100% Vegan
Reverie's Mac and Cheese with Shiitake Bacon is the best vegan mac and cheese in Minneapolis. Period. Full stop. End of discussion.
"Mac and cheese? Bangs. Burger? Bangs." — Andrew Lewandowski
What makes it special: The shiitake bacon adds this smoky, umami depth that no boxed brand can touch. The cheese sauce is rich without being heavy. It's scratch-made with real ingredients, not reconstituted powder.
The move: Get it as a side with their Mock Duck Korean BBQ Tacos. You're welcome.
#2: J. Selby's — Comfort Food King
St. Paul | $$ | 100% Vegan
J. Selby's does mac and cheese the way it should be done: loaded, creamy, and absolutely zero pretension.
What makes it special: It's classic comfort mac—no weird twists, no "elevated" anything. Just really good vegan mac and cheese that satisfies the craving perfectly.
🛠️ The DIY Move: Make Your Own
If you're feeling ambitious, here's the secret formula that beats every boxed brand:
The 10-Minute Scratch Mac
Ingredients:
- 12oz pasta (your choice of shape)
- 1 cup raw cashews (soaked 2 hours or boiled 15 min)
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 2 tbsp Miyoko's butter
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp turmeric (for color)
- Salt + pepper to taste
- 3/4 cup oat milk
Method:
- Cook pasta al dente
- Blend everything else until silky smooth
- Toss with pasta over medium heat until coated
- Taste. Add more nooch until you're happy.
The result: Creamy, cheesy, slightly smoky mac that costs about $3 total and takes 15 minutes. Beats every boxed brand on this list.
Level up: Top with Herbivorous Butcher bacon bits and a drizzle of sriracha.
Where to Buy Vegan Mac & Cheese in the Twin Cities
| Store | Best Selection | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wedge Co-op | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Carries all top brands + local options |
| Mississippi Market | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | St. Paul's best selection |
| Whole Foods | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Good selection, higher prices |
| Target | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Annie's + Goodles always in stock |
| Lunds & Byerlys | ⭐⭐⭐ | Improving selection |
The Bottom Line
Vegan mac and cheese in 2026 is genuinely good. Like, "your non-vegan roommate will steal this" good. Goodles wins overall, Annie's wins on value, and Reverie Cafe wins for restaurant mac in Minneapolis.
And if you really want to impress someone? Make the cashew scratch mac. It takes 15 minutes and costs $3. You'll never go back to boxed.
Now stop reading and go make some mac and cheese. 🧀🌱
For more Minneapolis vegan dining, check our comfort food guide, restaurant directory, or ice cream rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best vegan mac and cheese brand?
Goodles Vegan Is Believin' is our top pick for boxed vegan mac and cheese in 2026. It has the most 'real cheese' taste with a creamy sauce that coats the noodles perfectly. For frozen/microwave, Daiya Deluxe Cheddar Style is the most convenient and consistent option.
Does Annie's make vegan mac and cheese?
Yes! Annie's Organic Vegan Shells & Creamy Sauce is one of the best budget options. It uses organic pasta with a creamy, slightly tangy sauce. Available at most grocery stores including Target, Whole Foods, and co-ops for around $3-4 per box.
What vegan mac and cheese tastes most like real mac and cheese?
Goodles Vegan Is Believin' and Annie's Vegan Shells are the closest to traditional mac and cheese flavor. For a from-scratch option, making mac with Miyoko's butter and nutritional yeast-based sauce beats any boxed version.
Is Kraft making vegan mac and cheese?
As of 2026, Kraft does not have a dedicated vegan mac and cheese line in most US markets. However, several excellent alternatives exist that match or exceed the Kraft experience, including Goodles and Annie's vegan options.
Where can I get the best vegan mac and cheese in Minneapolis?
Reverie Cafe + Bar has the best vegan mac and cheese in Minneapolis — their Mac and Cheese with Shiitake Bacon is legendary. J. Selby's also serves excellent vegan mac. For buying boxed brands, the Wedge Co-op and Mississippi Market have the best selection.