Swiss Mac N Cheese with a Crispy ‘Bacon’ Topping

October 2, 2020
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Vegan Mac N Cheese made the Swiss way with macaroni and bite-size potatoes in a creamy, cheesy sauce, topped with crispy fried bacon and onions, and served with a side of apple sauce. 

After a short but very enjoyable visit to Geneva (which you can read about here) I felt inspired to learn more about Swiss cuisine and came across a dish called Älplermagronen.  

Originating in the Swiss Alps, Älplermagronen is a dish of macaroni and bite-size potatoes in a creamy, cheesy sauce, topped with crispy bacon and onions, and served with a side of apple sauce.  And let me tell you – it is banging!

In this vegan version of the Swiss classic, the macaroni and potatoes are cooked in a mixture of dairy free cream and vegetable stock for a short while until they’ve absorbed the liquid.  Stir in some dairy free cheese and top with a delicious mixture of crispy fried veggie bacon, onions, garlic and thyme along with yet more cheese, and then grill into melted perfection.

The Swiss certainly know how to do Mac N Cheese!  This dish is incredibly easy to make; taking less than 30 minutes from start to finish.  Serve it with a side of easy homemade apple sauce, as is traditional in Switzerland , and you’ve got yourself a easy, weeknight comfort-feast.

A large dish of vegan mac n cheese topped with veggie bacon, melted cheese and served with a side of apple sauce

Vegan Mac N Cheese but not as you know it!  This Swiss classic is:

Creamy

Cheesy

Comforting

Flavoursome

With a crispy bacon, onion, garlic and thyme topping

And

A side of sweet, tangy apple sauce.  Mmm mmm!

I have no doubt that you will LOVE this recipe – be sure to tag me on Instagram when you make it, I love seeing your re-creations @aveganvisit 🙂

A large dish of vegan mac n cheese topped with veggie bacon, melted cheese and served with a side of apple sauce

The Video Recipe:

The Written Recipe:

Swiss Mac N Cheese with a Crispy 'Bacon' Topping 2 sq

Swiss Mac N Cheese with a Crispy ‘Bacon’ Topping

Macaroni and bite-size potatoes in a creamy, cheesy sauce, topped with crispy fried bacon and onions, and served with a side of apple sauce. The ultimate vegan comfort food!
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Lunch, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Swiss
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Serves: 4 people
Calories: 810kcal
Author: Tara

Ingredients
 
 

For the topping:

  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 200 g onion (diced (approx 2 onions))
  • 100 g vegan bacon
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme (chopped)

For the mac:

  • 400 g waxy, non-floury potatoes (*see note, peeled and cut into bite-size pieces)
  • 200 g rice macaroni (substitute: regular macaroni)
  • 200 g dairy free cheese (grated)
  • 500 ml vegetable stock
  • 250 ml dairy free cream

For the apple sauce:

  • 500 g cooking apples (peeled, cored and thinly sliced)
  • 55 g sugar

Instructions
 

To make the apple sauce:

  • Add the apple slices and sugar to a saucepan, cover and cook for around 15 minutes until they are a sauce consistency. Stir occasionally during cooking.
    500 g cooking apples, 55 g sugar
  • Whilst your apple sauce is on the hob, make the rest of the dish. 
  • Set the sauce aside to cool once it is ready.

To make the topping:

  • In a large frying pan heat the oil and fry the onions, veggie bacon, garlic and thyme over a medium-high heat for 5 minutes until everything is cooked through and crispy around the edges.
    1 tbsp oil, 200 g onion, 100 g vegan bacon, 4 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp fresh thyme
  • Remove the mixture from the frying pan and set it aside.

To make the mac:

  • Once you have removed the bacon and onion mixture, use the same frying pan to make your mac.
  • Add the stock and cream and bring it to the boil.
    500 ml vegetable stock, 250 ml dairy free cream
  • Add the potato chunks and macaroni carefully to the pan.
    400 g waxy, non-floury potatoes, 200 g rice macaroni
  • Bring it back to the boil and then simmer for 10 minutes or until all of the liquid has been absorbed.
  • Add 1/2 of the grated cheese and stir it in.
    200 g dairy free cheese
  • Add the macaroni and potato mixture to an oven proof serving dish. Sprinkle over the bacon and onion mixture, along with the remaining cheese. Grill for 5 minutes until the cheese has melted.
  • Serve with a side of your homemade apple sauce.

Video

Notes

Vegan / Dairy Free / Egg Free / Gluten Free / Wheat Free / Nut Free
* If you are in the UK, a good non-floury, firm potato is the Jersey Royal.
Recipe inspired by:  The Alps, Switzerland
Please check the allergens on the ingredients you purchase before use.  The allergen information provided in this recipe is intended as a guide only and is based on the specific ingredients and brands used at the time of creating the recipe, therefore we cannot guarantee that the same will apply to the ingredients you use.  Nutritional values are estimated.
We highly recommend you use the metric and 1x options on this recipe card for the best results. Please note that this recipe has not been tested using US measurements or increasing ingredient quantities to 2x or 3x, therefore results may vary.

Nutrition

Calories: 810kcal | Carbohydrates: 107g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Sodium: 1050mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 32g | Net Carbohydrates: 98g
Have you tried this recipe?Tag @aveganvisit on Instagram or hashtag it #aveganvisit!

Tara

Hi, I’m Tara! I’m taking you on a trip around the world in vegan cuisine and bringing the world’s most delicious dishes to your kitchen.