Creamy, cheesy, and totally lunchbox-approved, this Easy Vegan Mac & Trees (Kid-Friendly Mac and Broccoli) is made in one pot in 15 minutes with simple ingredients. It packs perfectly for an easy, comforting school lunch.
As a former teacher and mom of three who has packed countless lunches, I know what works and what often comes home untouched.
This one’s kid-approved and weekday-ready: a creamy, mild mac and cheese that’s easy to throw together the night before or even the morning of school, camp, picnic, or road trip.
It’s simpler than my baked vegan mac and cheese version and milder than my vegan chili mac and cheese, so it is perfect for kids. Made with convenience ingredients (all from Trader Joe's) in one pot, you’ve got a quick, cozy lunch ready in just 15 minutes.
Want more like it? I’ve got a full post of kid-friendly lunchbox ideas (with non-Trader Joe's inspiration), plus a Facebook group where everyone can share Trader Joe’s finds and tips.
And if you’re just getting started, check out my full roundup of the Best Lunchbox Gear for Kids (And What to Skip) for some gear ideas.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Made in one pot with minimal clean-up.
- All the ingredients can be found in any major grocery store.
- Total comfort food and stays warm in a good thermos, just like Chili and Mini Cornbread Munchables.
- Perfect for kids but also delicious for adults!
- Easy and fast to make during crazy school day mornings.
- It's part of my TJ's school lunch recipe series that features simple and fast lunch box meals like Mini Hummus and Veggie Pinwheels, Easy Quinoa Fusilli Pasta Salad, and Nut Butter & Jelly Roll Ups that can be made on a school morning.
Ingredients
Broccoli: The broccoli I buy prechopped is always too large. Chop them small so they work with the timing of the pasta. Also, chop up the stems for zero waste.
Nutritional Yeast: This is an optional ingredient, but it adds a delicious umami flavor that we enjoy.
Vegan Cheddar Slices: The TJ's slices are not exactly snack-worthy to me on their own, but when melted into this mac and cheese or layered in a sandwich, they transform into melty, cheesy magic that tastes great. Swap with your favorite brand.
See the printable recipe card for quantities and a full list of ingredients.
Variations
- Switch to gluten-free elbows or TJ’s quinoa fusilli (one of the healthier pastas I enjoy). Time will need to be adjusted.
- Cheese it your way - Mix in TJ’s vegan mozzarella or cashew fiesta dip
- Add protein - Toss in white beans or chickpeas
- Vegan hot dogs - Slice up a vegan hot dog and add it to the finished mac and broccoli.
- Use cauliflower - Swap broccoli for chopped cauliflower florets
- Mix it up - Add peas, spinach, or a sprinkle of TJ’s umami seasoning
How To Make Easy Mac and Broccoli
One pot and ready in about 15 minutes. See the complete printable recipe card below for the details.
Step 1: Combine & Stir - In a large pot, combine the pasta, plant-based milk, water, broccoli, cheddar, cream cheese, nutritional yeast, butter, and salt. Stir over medium heat until it begins to bubble.
Step 2: Cover & Cook - Reduce heat, cover, and cook for 7 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. This will give you al dente broccoli—if you prefer it softer, leave the lid on a bit longer.
Step 3: Simmer & Thicken - Remove lid, lower heat to medium-low, and continue cooking uncovered, stirring frequently, until the liquid is absorbed and the sauce is creamy.
Step 4: Taste & Pack - Adjust seasoning if needed. Serve warm or pack into a thermos for a cozy, kid-approved lunch.
Top Tips
- If your broccoli isn’t soft enough, it might just be chopped too big—smaller “trees” cook faster.
- Don’t forget to chop up the stems (a.k.a. the “bark”) for zero waste.
- The timing in this recipe yields al dente broccoli, but if your crew prefers it more tender, leave the lid on a bit longer.
Serving Suggestions
- Fresh fruit (like sliced apples or grapes)
- A handful of TJ’s baked snack crackers or pretzels
- Cucumber slices and/or baby carrots
- A vegan chocolate chip cookie, fruit strips, or these TJ's Hold the Cone Tips for dessert
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Recipe FAQS
Yes! Make it the night before and reheat in the morning. To keep it creamy, heat it with a splash of oat milk. Pop it in a thermos to keep it warm until lunch.
Yes, you can use frozen broccoli, but fresh is ideal. Since this recipe already uses convenience ingredients, the fresh broccoli helps brighten things up. If using frozen, steam it first or defrost in the microwave, chop it into small pieces, and then stir it in.
TJ’s vegan cheddar slices melt well, but the mozzarella-style shreds or cashew fiesta dip also work great. They will give a different flavor profile.
If it’s surrounded by creamy pasta, there’s hope. Or chop it really small and call it “green cheese confetti” — marketing helps.
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Drop a comment and tell me how this kid-friendly mac & cheese turned out! Was it love at first bite? Surprisingly edible? Or a full-on “Reg, what were you thinking?” And if my directions helped (or didn’t), please let me know so I can continue to improve these recipes for you.
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Easy Vegan Mac & Trees
Ingredients
- 8 ounces TJ’s elbow macaroni or any small pasta of choice
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup oat milk Trader Joe's has a great oat milk
- 1 cup fresh broccoli florets chopped small so it cooks with the pasta in time
- 4 slices TJ’s Vegan Cheddar-Style Slices torn into pieces or 1 cup vegan cheddar shreds
- ¼ cup vegan cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast optional
- 1 tablespoon vegan butter
- ¾ teaspooon of salt
Instructions
- Combine & Stir In a large pot, combine the pasta, plant-based milk, water, broccoli, vegan cheddar slices or shreds, vegan cream cheese, nutritional yeast, butter, and salt.
- Cover & Cook: Stir over high heat until everything begins to bubble. Reduce heat to simmer, cover, and cook for 7 minutes, stirring occasionally so the macaroni does not stick.
- Simmer & Thicken: After seven minutes it will still be a little bit watery. Take off lid and adjust the heat to medium-low (just slightly above your lowest setting). It should bubble slightly. Cook and stir frequently until all the liquid is evaporated and you have a creamy consistency. This timing yields al dente broccoli—leave the lid on a bit longer if you prefer it more tender.
- Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve warm or pack into a thermos for an easy, comforting lunch.
Regi Pearce says
This one’s a lunchbox staple in our house. It’s creamy, cozy, and comes together fast. It’s not gourmet and it’s definitely not kale salad—but it is delicious, warm, and easy enough to throw together in the chaos of a school morning. The broccoli cooks right along with the pasta (hello, one pot), which I love.