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Vegan Mac and Cheese

This vegan mac and cheese features a creamy, cheese-like sauce made from soaked cashews, nutritional yeast, and spices, blended until silky smooth. Tossed with sturdy pasta shapes like fusilli or shells, it offers a comforting, velvety texture with a vibrant, cheesy flavor. The dish is a plant-based twist on classic comfort food, with a rich appearance and a satisfying, indulgent final texture.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Vegan
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup raw cashews soaked for at least 20 minutes
  • 8 oz sturdy pasta (fusilli or shells) uncooked
  • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk or other plant milk
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice brightens the sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric for color
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder toast lightly before blending
  • 1 pinch smoked paprika optional for smoky flavor
  • Salt to taste adjust after blending

Equipment

  • Blender
  • Large pot
  • Skillet
  • Whisk

Method
 

  1. Drain the soaked cashews and add them to your blender along with unsweetened almond milk, lemon juice, turmeric, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt.
  2. Blend on high until completely smooth and velvety, about 2-3 minutes, stopping to scrape down sides as needed. The sauce should be silky and oozy.
  3. While blending, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook your pasta until al dente, about 9-11 minutes, then drain and set aside.
  4. In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the nutritional yeast for about 2 minutes until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
  5. Pour the blended sauce into a saucepan and warm over low heat, stirring constantly. Once heated through and slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes, taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or lemon if needed.
  6. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing gently to coat each piece evenly. Let it cook together for another minute so flavors meld and the sauce thickens slightly.
  7. Serve immediately, garnished with extra nutritional yeast or chopped herbs if desired, for a warm, velvety, cheesy-looking dish that’s ready to enjoy.