Can you make macaroni and cheese without butter? - And what to replace?

We’ve done quite a few articles on macaroni and cheese and needless to say, we’re pretty much obsessed with it. But who doesn’t?

Macaroni and cheese is a blank canvas for any cook to work on and is the perfect way to start experimenting with flavors and flavor combinations.

But can you make macaroni and cheese without butter?

Mac and cheese can definitely be made without butter, but you really miss something special. Butter adds a creaminess and rich flavor that takes a boring pasta dish to the next level.

So if you still want to add those delicious qualities but are out of butter or looking for vegan alternatives, we’ve got plenty for you!

The closest substitute is margarine, which is also vegan and dairy-free. Apart from that, you can use cream, yogurt, soft fresh cheeses and even mayonnaise. For vegan alternatives, you can use nut butters, coconut creams, and seed pastes.

In this information-packed article, we’ll explore what traditional mac and cheese is and how you can elevate it by substituting butter.

We’ll look at some great and tasty dairy substitutes, but we’ll also explore some dairy-free and vegan substitutes that you can use in place of butter.

What is macaroni and cheese?

Everyone knows and loves macaroni and cheese. It is a classic savory dish that is considered a comfort food around the world.

It can be as simple as cooked pasta with cheese, or as elaborate as a plate of baked macaroni and cheese with 4 cheeses. The possibilities are endless, which partly explains its popularity.

But before we dive into the many options you have, let’s first take a look at traditional mac and cheese. This will help you understand what it is and how to choose the most authentic substitute.

The first record of macaroni and cheese (or rather a baked pasta dish with cheese sauce) dates back to the 14th century.

Naturally, like most pasta dishes, it originated in Italy. A cookbook called Liber de Coquina mentioned a delicious Parmesan and pasta casserole.

The first “modern” printed mention of macaroni and cheese dates back to 1769 in Elizabeth Raffald’s book, The Experienced English Housekeeper. Mentioned in this dish is a creamy béchamel sauce, shredded cheddar cheese, and cooked macaroni.

The mixture is sprinkled with Parmesan cheese and baked until golden and bubbly. This is essentially what mac and cheese is still today!

Traditional Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

A classic and simple Mac and Cheese dish consists of a Mornay sauce and cooked pasta, that’s it! A Mornay sauce is a cheese sauce made with a béchamel (white sauce) and grated cheese.

This cheese can be anything, but traditionally it is cheddar, emmental, gruyere, or parmesan.

The pasta can also be virtually any type of short pasta, but specific “macaroni” pastas are found today. They have a slightly curved tube shape and their length ranges from one to two centimeters.

Macaroni and cheese is baked until golden brown. They are then usually topped with more grated cheese or some breadcrumbs.

Macaroni and Cheese Variations

What makes macaroni and cheese especially great is that each country has its own twist. For example, different types of cheese are used in different areas, such as cheddar, emmenthal or havarti.

There are also countries that make their traditional macaroni with meat. This can include various types of ground meat, cured meat, and even larger pieces of meat.

We especially like to add minced beef or turkey with spices. Bacon, salami, and ham are also great, easy additions to any mac and cheese.

Many people also add different spices. Believe it or not, spicy macaroni and cheese is a staple in some continents like Asia, Africa, and South America. You can include fresh chilies or hot spices, such as Sichuan peppers.

Other common spices are nutmeg, cinnamon, cumin, and a variety of dried herbs such as oregano, parsley, and rosemary.

And of course, we don’t skip the vegetables! They are also some of the most popular additions because of how tasty they can be. Onions, peas, leeks, mushrooms, bell peppers, and squash are just some of the popular options used the most.

Functions of butter in macaroni and cheese

You may have noticed that we haven’t mentioned butter at all so far. Well, butter is one of those secret ingredients when it comes to making macaroni and cheese.

Now, first we have to mention that butter is used to make a béchamel sauce. That’s not how we’ve substituted butter today, but it’s still worth mentioning. Some of our substitutes below may work as a substitute for butter in a roux.

When butter is used to make a roux, it is mixed with flour. This mixture is the thickening agent that creates a creamy béchamel sauce (which later becomes Mornay sauce). Once the roux is done, slowly add the milk.

The second function, and the one we are going to replace today, is the addition of butter to give it flavor and creaminess. Butter is an incredibly rich ingredient. It also helps add a thick, creamy texture to the baked dish.

Can you make macaroni and cheese without butter?

You can definitely make this baked pasta dish without butter, and many recipes don’t even include it! But honestly, we love adding it. Why wouldn’t you?

As we have mentioned before, it adds creaminess, a richer flavor and an incredibly smooth texture to the dish.

Butter Substitutes in Macaroni and Cheese

So when you think about substitutes for butter in macaroni and cheese, think about what you’re substituting. If you just want to copy the delicious semi-sweet flavor of butter, then your substitute should have those similar characteristics.

But, if you want to substitute creaminess, then look for creamy alternatives. Luckily, there are many options you can choose from to meet your exact needs. And you can even experiment to create a new flavor profile.

1.Ghee

Although some of you may be familiar with ghee, it is still a relatively underrated and already known product. Ghee is a type of clarified butter.

This clarified version is still high in fat, so it will give your macaroni plenty of creaminess and rich flavor. In fact, it’s richer than regular butter!

Another great advantage of using ghee is that it is less oily. The way clarified butter is made is by melting it until the milk solids and excess water are separated. These parts are strained, leaving only the fat.

During this process, the ghee also takes on a very toasty and nutty flavor, which works wonders with a basic macaron.

The ghee can be made ahead of time at home and stored in the fridge for months. However, it can also be purchased at some grocery and health stores.

2. Yogurt

Yogurt is a very affordable substitute for butter in macaroni and cheese. You probably already have some in your fridge. But we recommend that you use only natural yogurt. And, if you can, double thick or Greek yogurt.

The natural flavor will ensure that nothing challenges the delicious flavors of the cheese you are using. And yet, it helps create a nice balanced flavor profile.

Plain yogurt will also add the necessary acidity when using sweeter cheeses, such as unripened cheddar or gouda.

And, possibly most importantly, yogurt will add a smoothness to your macaroni and cheese that surpasses even the capabilities of butter.

3. Soft fresh cheese

This is a broad category of cheeses that will all work equally well. They can add a ton of creaminess if incorporated correctly. And of course, since there are so many different types available, you can experiment a lot with the flavors!

Soft fresh cheeses are any type that have been curdled by an acid curd or direct curd method. This means that acid (rather than rennet or enzymes) has been added directly to the milk to make it coagulate. The whey is separated from the curd.

These two parts can be used to make soft cheeses. These cheeses often have a very high moisture content, which is what makes them so creamy.

Some popular, easy-to-find, and relatively affordable soft cheeses that pair well with macaroni and cheese include

• Feta (soft)
• Cottage cheese
• cream cheese
• mascarpone
• Ricotta

4. Cream

Cream is an incredibly easy to use substitute for butter. However, keep in mind that it has a thinner consistency. But luckily, its consistency is close to that of melted butter, and it’s much creamier!

Now, today there are many types of cream. We recommend using heavy cream, heavy cream, whipping cream, or double heavy cream. They all basically refer to the same thing and will add the best texture to your mac and cheese.

If you don’t have cream or can’t find it, you can also use milk or even, as a last ditch effort, evaporated milk. Just be sure to check the consistency of the macaroni and cheese so it doesn’t get too thin.

5. Sour cream

We love sour cream! It’s one of our favorite additions to pasta dishes in general. This ingredient will add creaminess to your pasta just like regular cream or yogurt would. But what makes it special is the flavor it adds.

Sour cream, as the name suggests, has a sour taste and adds acidity to the pasta dish. Plus, it will help intensify the existing flavors of the cheeses you use. It also pairs well with many types of meat and vegetable toppings, if you choose to add them.

You can also make your own sour cream. For this you only need milk or cream, and some kind of acid. We prefer to use lemon or lime juice, but in a pinch, you can add vinegar.

Combine a cup of milk or cream with about a tablespoon of acid. Just like that, homemade sour cream!

6. Mayonnaise

This is an incredibly clever trick that is becoming more popular by the day. Mayonnaise is a great substitute for butter in macaroni and cheese, but it can also be used to replace some of the béchamel sauce.

Using mayonnaise, you can add a ton of creaminess, great texture, and well-balanced tangy flavor.

You can even get flavored mayonnaises to meet various dietary needs. For example, Hellman’s makes a fantastic vegan mayonnaise. And for the health conscious, you can choose a reduced-fat or reduced-oil mayonnaise.

One thing we recommend is not to add too much mayonnaise. It’s quite heavy and extremely thick, so it will change the consistency of your mac and cheese a lot. You don’t want it to dominate.

Vegan and dairy-free substitutes for butter in macaroni and cheese

Whatever the reason you want a dairy-free or vegan substitute, we’ve got you covered! And actually, you’d be surprised at how many delicious and easy vegan substitutes there are!

Now, vegan substitutes are definitely dairy-free, but dairy-free substitutes aren’t always necessarily vegan. So for that reason, always check the packaging to make sure the product meets your requirements.

1. Margarine

For some reason, we never thought of margarine as a vegan product, but believe it or not, it is completely vegan. In fact, it’s so vegan that many in the community refer to it as “the original vegan butter.”

But, as always, check your specific product to make sure it doesn’t contain any other animal products. Margarine is made with water and vegetable oil. This compared to butter, which is made from milk.

It has a very similar consistency and is pretty much the same when melted. And even the flavors are similar. Most types of margarine are highly processed and contain a ton of flavoring (in this case, butter flavoring).

It’s arguably the perfect substitute for butter in mac and cheese, regardless of it being vegan and dairy-free.

2. Plant-based butter

Margarine notwithstanding, there are actually other vegan butter products out there. These butters, just like margarine, are made with vegetable oils, such as coconut oil, olive oil, macadamia nut oil, sesame seed oil, and many more.

What sets them apart from margarine is that they are made with much more expensive ingredients. Margarine, because of how processed it is, is usually made with cheap sunflower oil, canola oil, or a blend of oils.

These plant-based butters are typically gluten-free, dairy-free, and have similar textures and characteristics to butter and margarine. They add creaminess and, as an added bonus, a unique flavor!

Another fantastic advantage of this type of butter is that you can also use it as a butter substitute when making a roux.

3. Nut and Seed Butters

This is a very broad category of products and does not necessarily apply to all types out there. But we love to add a tablespoon or two of seed or nut butter to our macaroni and cheese.

These butters add a delicious texture, a rich texture and a very unique flavor.

The best seed butter we recommend using is tahini, a well-known sesame seed paste. And, for nut butters, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Again, just make sure they are vegan. We love peanut butter, but almond butter also adds a light sweetness that complements the mac and cheese well.

Just keep in mind that the flavor of the butter you choose should go well with the type of cheese you use. Thus, this substitute works best when using mild-tasting cheeses such as gouda, feta, and mozzarella.

4. Coconut cream

We finish with another very easy substitute that you already know and probably love: coconut cream. Coconut cream is an incredibly rich, delicious, and slightly sweet vegetable cream used in many Asian and South American dishes.

For mac and cheese, to put it mildly, it adds an exotic flavor and just elevates the whole dish. It goes especially well with soft cheeses.

If you don’t have coconut cream, you can also use coconut milk. Coconut milk is thinner, so don’t add too much at once.