July 7th is National Macaroni Day, just at the end of the 4th of July weekend! After you’ve celebrated the long weekend and are too exhausted to meal prep, you can make a macaroni recipe and have leftover lunch to take to work the next few days, or maybe you’re ending the holiday weekend with another cookout. Either way, you can never have enough dairy-free macaroni!
That’s why we put together 10 dairy-free macaroni recipes from the Food Monster App to celebrate National Macaroni Day and July 4th! You can also save these recipes and make them for other potlucks, cookouts, barbecues, and get-togethers you’ll be going to this summer!
1. Summer’s End Black Bean and Corn Macaroni Salad
Source: Summer’s End Black Bean and Corn Macaroni Salad
This vegan take on the classic macaroni salad is perfect for picnics, the beach, lunch, dinner, you name it. This Summer’s End Black Bean and Corn Macaroni Salad by Tara Binder is better than your favorite deli macaroni salad with the addition of some serious flavor and of course, healthy ingredients to make you feel better about eating pasta. Whip up this recipe if the thought of cooking in the hot weather makes you sweat.
2. Mac and Cheese With Spinach and Tomatoes
Source: Mac and Cheese With Spinach and Tomatoes
Who doesn’t love Mac n Cheese? And what cookout is complete without it? It may not usually be the healthiest but this Mac and Cheese With Spinach and Tomatoes by Emma Blake has added spinach and tomatoes so there’s a little less to feel guilty about. Life is about balance anyway right?
Get the Summer Cookbook!
3. Simple Summer Macaroni Salad
Source: Simple Summer Macaroni Salad
While the black bean burgers and the veggie kabobs get all the attention, it’s the side salads, appetizers, dips, and chips that really steal the show. This super easy and totally creamy Simple Summer Macaroni Salad by Dora Daily is right on the top of that list of things that will soak up the glory. Pasta is tossed with crisp vegetables like bell pepper, celery, and onion with pickles providing a tangy, salty punch that will leave everybody coming back for a second helping.
4. Raw Mac and Cheese With Zucchini ‘Elbow Macaroni’
Source: Raw Mac and Cheese With Zucchini ‘Elbow Macaroni’
It’s safe to say that everyone loves mac and cheese, yes? Yes. Maybe you’re trying to eat less carbs this macaroni day? Then this Raw Mac and Cheese With Zucchini ‘Elbow Macaroni’ recipe by Mariko Sakata will rock your world, hands down. It’s delicious AND nutritious, but it’s mac and cheese. Can it get better? If you can’t make both flackers or coconut bacon, definitely make the coconut bacon.
5. Filipino Macaroni Salad
Source: Filipino Macaroni Salad
Compared to the Italian, Mediterranean, and other versions, Filipino Macaroni Salad by RG Enriquez is the sweeter and heartier counterpart. There’s something irresistible in the creamy elbow macaroni, sweet and tender pineapple, and savory touch of garlic powder, salt, and pepper. This veganized dish is not that different from the omnivore version. Both have the same ingredients except for vegan mayonnaise and jackfruit!
6. Johnny Marzetti: Cheesy Oil-Free Macaroni Casserole
Source: Johnny Marzetti: Cheesy Oil-Free Macaroni Casserole
This Johnny Marzetti: Cheesy Oil-Free Macaroni Casserole recipe from The China Study Family Cookbook is more for those staying home on the 4th of July weekend. Maybe you want to make something nice and comforting for your family to enjoy after a long party-filled weekend.
7. Hamburger Helper
Source: Hamburger Helper
The texture of the tofu and the flavor and consistency of the sauce in this vegan Hamburger Helper recipe by Tara Binder have been refined and perfected! Meaty, chewy tofu in a thick, savory sauce.
8. Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese
Source: Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese
Cheeseburgers and mac and cheese are two of the most common 4th of July foods. On their own, they’re delicious. And together? Well, try out this Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese recipe by Gin Butters and you’ll find out! It includes macaroni pasta smothered in rich, creamy, and yes, life-changing, cheese sauce. Not to mention, a hefty portion of ground beef-style crumbles. Indulge away!
9. Jalapeño Mac and Cheese Burger With Shiitake Bacon
Source: Jalapeño Mac and Cheese Burger With Shiitake Bacon
With this recipe, you’d also be combining burgers with mac and cheese but in the burger form. Your burger doesn’t have to go in your mac and cheese. Your mac and cheese can also go in your burger! This awesome Jalapeño Mac and Cheese Burger With Shiitake Bacon by Gabrielle St. Claire is a foodie dream come true. It has multiple flavor dimensions — salty, savory, spicy, and cheesy — and if you want to add a little sweetness into the mix, add a drizzle of maple syrup to the Shiitake bacon marinade.
10. Veggie Pasta Salad With Avocado Mustard Dressing
Source: Veggie Pasta Salad With Avocado Mustard Dressing
This Veggie Pasta Salad With Avocado Mustard Dressing recipe by Margaret works great as a meal or a side dish! Awesome for dinner parties.
Easy Ways to Help the Planet:
- Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
- Adopt-a-Pet: Visit WildWatchers, a watchdog platform specifically designed for animal, earth, and wildlife warriors to actively give back, rescue, and protect animals and the planet.
- Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade repeatedly.
- Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
- Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
- Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
- Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!