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Creamy Vegan Mac and Cheese

Rich and creamy dairy-free mac and cheese made with cashew cheese sauce, nutritional yeast, and golden breadcrumb topping.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Vegan
Calories: 385
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni or pasta of choice
  • 1.5 cups raw cashews soaked in hot water for 15 minutes
  • 1.25 cups unsweetened plant-based milk
  • 0.33 cup nutritional yeast
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 0.5 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp salt or to taste
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
Breadcrumb Topping
  • 0.5 cup breadcrumbs plain or panko
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or melted vegan butter
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • High-speed blender
  • Colander
  • Baking dish (optional)

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente, drain and set aside, reserving about ½ cup pasta water.
  2. Drain the soaked cashews and add to a high-speed blender with plant-based milk, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic, mustard, onion powder, turmeric, salt, and pepper.
  3. Blend on high speed for 60 to 90 seconds until completely smooth and creamy with no cashew bits remaining.
  4. Taste the cheese sauce and adjust seasonings as desired.
  5. Pour the cheese sauce over the drained pasta and stir thoroughly until evenly coated, adding reserved pasta water if needed.
  6. Transfer to serving dish or pour into greased baking dish for breadcrumb topping.
  7. For topping, mix breadcrumbs with olive oil, sprinkle over mac and cheese, and broil for 3 to 5 minutes until golden.
  8. Remove from oven, let cool briefly, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot.

Notes

Soak cashews overnight for even creamier sauce. Store leftovers in airtight container for up to 5 days. Add splash of plant milk when reheating.