Paleo Mac and Cheese with Bacon and Broccoli - (2024)

I added bacon and broccoli to this dairy free, grain free Paleo Mac and Cheese to make it over-the-moon delicious and get those veggies in! You can either bake it or simply mix and serve, and the leftovers are just as amazing.

I’ve gotten loads of requests for paleo friendly Mac and cheese!

Of the recipes I’ve tried, this one is my favorite for a few reasons.

1. My KIDS actually love it! They’re old enough to know it’s not real cheese (I never use real cheese in my recipes) and they don’t care at all. It’s Mac and cheese to them!
2. It includes two of my favorite foods – broccoli and bacon. I wouldn’t say broccoli is a favorite on its own, unless it’s roasted with lots of oil and salt. But with bacon isn’t it amazing?
3. You can decide whether you mix and serve (especially if you’re short on time) or bake it. It’s more creamy when it’s not baked. I love it both ways!

I used grain free pasta from Jovial Foods, but you can obviously choose which pasta to use. If you don’t eat specifically grain free, any gluten free pasta works well.

What You Need to Make this Paleo Mac and Cheese

The cheese sauce is cashew based but taste nothing like nuts! Here’s everything you’ll need to prepare this mac and cheese.

Cheese sauce:

• raw cashews
• warm water
• olive oil
• lemon juice
• Dijon mustard
• nutritional yeast
• garlic powder
• saltand black pepper

Macaroni:

• grain free elbows or fusilli(like Jovial Foods)
• uncured bacon
• broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
• olive oil
• Sea salt and black pepper

How to Make Paleo Friendly Mac and Cheese

Cook the pasta as instructed on the box and preheat your oven to 350°F, if you plan to bake the mac and cheese.

Meanwhile, make the cheese sauce. In the bowl of a high speed blender, add all of the cheese sauce ingredients and blend until very smooth and creamy, scraping the sides down as needed. This can take up to 5 minutes depending on your blender.

If you’re using frozen broccoli, cook it according to package directions and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.

If you’re using fresh, place the florets in a microwave safe bowl and heat on high for 2 minutes or until fork tender. Once the pasta is done, toss it with the olive oil.

In a casserole dish, combine the pasta with all the cheese sauce, broccoli and crumbled bacon. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover the top with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes or until heated through.

Alternatively, you do not have to bake the mac and cheese. Simply mix the hot cooked pasta with the cheese sauce, broccoli and bacon and serve!

Can I Sub in Another Nut for the Cashews?

Cashews really are the nut that works best to make a dairy free cheese sauce like this one. Macadamia nuts can work as well.

A few people have said almonds can work, but I haven’t tried that one personally.

My Oven Baked Bacon Method

Lay the bacon on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes depending on the thickness and type of bacon, plus varying oven temperatures.

I always like to check at 15 minutes for doneness and go from there.

I hope you’re ready for a seriously delicious, grain free and dairy free mac and cheese that everyone will love!

Grab your ingredients and your blender because it’s time to eat – let’s go!

Paleo Mac and Cheese with Bacon and Broccoli

Want More Paleo Friendly Comfort Food Recipes? Try One of These!

Garlic Butter Chicken and Potato Skillet

Creamy Chicken and Potato Casserole

Quick Skillet Meatballs in Sauce

Smothered Chicken with Gravy and Herbs

Paleo Chicken Tetrazzini

Burger Bowls with Fries

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Paleo Zuppa Toscana

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