Creamy Vegan Butternut Pasta with Crispy Sage Topping

Why This Vegan Butternut Mac and "Cheese" Will Change Your Dinner Game
If you've been searching for the perfect vegan butternut mac and "cheese" recipe that delivers all the creamy comfort without any dairy, your quest ends here. This pasta dish featuring butternut squash creates a smooth, nutritionally dense coating that ideally covers your preferred pasta shape, finished with fragrant sage-infused bread topping for a compelling textural contrast.
As a longtime vegan recipe developer, I've tested countless plant-based cheese alternatives, and this butternut-based sauce consistently wins the highest praise from both vegans and omnivores alike. The natural sweetness of butternut squash, combined with nutritional yeast and a careful blend of seasonings, creates a sauce so satisfying you won't miss the dairy for a second.
Ingredients You'll Need
For the vegan butternut mac and "cheese":

•  1 average-sized tan winter gourd (approximately 900g), skin removed and cut into bite-sized pieces
•  12 ounces pasta of choice (I recommend cavatappi or shells)
•  3 tablespoons olive oil
•  1 small onion, diced
•  3 cloves garlic, minced
•  2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
•  1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
•  ½ cup unsweetened plant milk
•  ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
•  Salt and pepper to taste

For the sage breadcrumbs:

•  1 cup panko breadcrumbs
•  2 tablespoons olive oil
•  2 tablespoons fresh sage, finely chopped
•  1 clove garlic, minced
•  ¼ teaspoon salt

A Step-by-Step Guide to the Best Vegan Butternut Mac and “Cheese”
Step 1: Prepare the Butternut Squash
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).Toss the butternut squash chunks with a tablespoon of olive oil, plus a pinch of salt and pepper.Arrange the pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for 25–30 minutes, or until they’re tender and slightly golden on the edges. This roasting process brings out the natural sweetness of the squash, which is essential for our vegan butternut mac and "cheese" sauce.
Step 2: Make the Sage Breadcrumbs
As the squash roasts, warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until aromatic. Incorporate the crushed bread and minced aromatic herb, continuously mixing for approximately 3–4 minutes until reaching an amber color. Remove from heat to cool – they'll develop additional crunchiness during the cooling process.
Step 3: Cook the Pasta
Heat a large container of salted water until bubbling and prepare your pasta following package instructions until just firm to the bite.Reserve 240ml of the simmering fluid prior to draining the contents of the cooking vessel.
Step 4: Prepare the "Cheese" Sauce
In a wide frying pan, warm the leftover olive oil using medium temperature. Sauté onions until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute. Add the roasted butternut squash, nutritional yeast, Dijon mustard, plant milk, and smoked paprika. Using an immersion blender (or transfer to a standard blender), blend until completely smooth and creamy.Incorporate reserved cooking liquid as necessary to achieve the preferred thickness.
Step 5: Combine and Serve
Toss the cooked pasta into the butternut sauce, mixing thoroughly until each piece is evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Spoon the mixture into a serving dish and finish with a generous sprinkle of sage-seasoned breadcrumbs right before serving.
Reasons You'll Adore This Plant-Based Winter Squash Pasta with Creamy Sauce
This vegan butternut mac and cheese isn't just delicious – it's also packed with nutrients.This tan winter gourd provides abundant vitamin A, vitamin C, and dietary roughage, while deactivated yellow food yeast adds significant quantities of B-complex vitamins. The sage breadcrumbs add a sophisticated touch that elevates this comfort food classic to dinner-party worthy status.
The best part?This recipe is great for meal prepping since it warms up nicely later. To keep the breadcrumbs crispy, store them separately and sprinkle them on just before serving.