Once you know the right brands, vegan mac and cheese will become your best friend. Who doesn’t love a heaping bowl of pasta smothered in cheese sauce? As the weather gets colder and midterms creep up, there’s something extra appealing about a warm bowl of mac—especially when it only takes 10 minutes to whip up.

With the huge variety of healthy options these days, you don’t have to sacrifice your nutrition to indulge. Here are the best kinds of vegan mac and cheese to whip up in between classes or at the end of a long day—you won’t miss the dairy, I promise.

Your arteries (and the environment!) will thank you.

Modern Table

Modern Table vegan mac and cheese is a must-try. It is gluten-free and comes in three equally delicious flavors: Classic Cheddar, White Cheddar, and Southwest. Trust me when I say that you will NOT miss the gluten here. Modern Table’s noodles have a gluten-like consistency while being packed with lentils, rice, and pea protein. One box has two servings, each with 15 grams of protein. If you’re feeling extra hungry, you could down the entire box and get in a whopping 30 grams of plant-based protein. Student-athletes, take note!

You can buy a six-pack on Amazon for $19.80.

Banza

Another fantastic gluten-free and vegan mac and cheese option comes from Banza. Banza’s vegan mac comes in a classic cheddar flavor with shells. You will notice that their chickpea-based noodles are heartier and thicker than the typical pasta noodle. The finished dish is creamy, flavorful, and MUCH healthier than your standard box of gluten. One serving contains 18 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber. If you want your vegan mac and cheese hearty, filling, and protein-packed, this one is for you.

You can buy a six-pack on Banza.com for $22.49. 

Annie's Homegrown

There’s no doubt that Annie’s is a legend in the mac and cheese world. You may already be a fan of their white cheddar shells, but you’re missing out if you haven’t tried their vegan mac and cheese. Everything from the shape of the noodles to the color and taste of the sauce is reminiscent of Kraft mac and cheese, but elevated, with no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. I bet that if you tried this without seeing the box, you would never guess it’s vegan. 

You can buy a box at Target.com for $2.79.

Howl Foods

I recommend Howl Foods “Mac & Chef” if you’re feeling a bit bougie and want to try a "chef-driven" vegan mac and cheese. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more nutritious cheese sauce. This one is made with raw cashews, nutritional yeast (so you can get that fix of vitamin B12), garlic, and lemon juice. Howl Foods also has a Spicy Chipotle version for the spice fiends of the world. If you want a gluten-based pasta with a nutrient-dense sauce, Howl vegan mac is for you.

You can get free shipping on your order from the Howl website, or find it on the shelves of your local Whole Foods.