Vegan Classic Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
Indulge in the ultimate plant-based comfort food with this Vegan Classic Creamy Macaroni and Cheese, a dairy-free twist on everyone's favorite cheesy pasta dish. This recipe combines gluten-free elbow macaroni with a velvety, rich sauce made from blended cashews, unsweetened almond milk, and nutritional yeast, delivering a luscious creaminess that's packed with cheesy flavor without the cheese. Seasoned with a perfect blend of garlic powder, onion powder, turmeric, and smoked paprika, this dish achieves a savory depth that's sure to satisfy. Ready in just 35 minutes, this wholesome, dairy-free recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or indulgent meal prepping. Serve it as a cozy main dish or pair it with a fresh side salad for a complete, crowd-pleasing vegan feast!
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Ingredients
- 12 oz elbow macaroni, gluten-free
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 1.5 cups unsweetened almond milk
- 1 cup nutritional yeast
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 0.5 tsp turmeric
- 0.5 tsp paprika
- 0.5 tsp ground mustard
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 cup water
Directions
Step 1
Start by soaking the raw cashews in hot water for 15 minutes to soften them.
Step 2
While the cashews are soaking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the gluten-free elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 3
Once the cashews are softened, drain them and add them to a high-speed blender.
Step 4
To the blender, add the unsweetened almond milk, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, turmeric, paprika, ground mustard, sea salt, black pepper, coconut oil, and 1 cup of water.
Step 5
Blend on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the sides as needed.
Step 6
Transfer the blended sauce to a large saucepan and heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until the sauce is warmed through and slightly thickened.
Step 7
Add the drained macaroni to the saucepan and stir well to ensure all pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
Step 8
Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding more salt or lemon juice as desired.
Step 9
Serve warm and enjoy your comforting, creamy vegan mac and cheese.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1147.5g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2251.9 |
| Total Fat 87.1g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 33.1g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 1.5g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 2602.6mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 320.9g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 17.5g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 11.9g | |
| Protein 59.5g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 131.8IU | 0% |
| Calcium 748.7mg | 0% |
| Iron 15.6mg | 0% |
| Potassium 1525.3mg | 0% |
Source of Calories