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Creamy Vegan Mac and Cheese with Cashew Sauce

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A rich and luscious dairy-free mac and cheese made with a silky cashew sauce, perfect for cozy dinners and vegan comfort food cravings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup raw cashews, soaked for at least 2 hours or boiled for 15 minutes
  • 8 ounces (about 225 grams) macaroni pasta (gluten-free if preferred)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) unsweetened plant milk (almond, oat, or soy)
  • 1/4 cup (20 grams) nutritional yeast
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegan butter (optional)

Instructions

  1. Soak 1 cup of raw cashews in warm water for at least 2 hours or boil for 15 minutes. Drain before blending.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 7-9 minutes). Drain and set aside.
  3. In a blender, combine soaked cashews, 1 cup unsweetened plant milk, 1/4 cup nutritional yeast, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
  4. Blend on high speed for 1-2 minutes until the sauce is silky smooth and creamy. Add more plant milk if the sauce is too thick.
  5. Return the drained pasta to the pot off heat. Pour the cashew sauce over the pasta and gently stir to coat evenly.
  6. Place the pot on low heat and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce is warm and slightly thickened. Avoid overheating.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed. Stir in 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegan butter for extra richness if desired.
  8. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Notes

Soak cashews properly for a silky smooth sauce; boiling works if short on time. Blend long enough for creamy texture. Keep heat low when warming sauce to avoid curdling. Add tapioca starch to smooth grainy sauce if needed. Nut-free option: replace cashews with soaked sunflower seeds or silken tofu.

Nutrition

Keywords: vegan mac and cheese, cashew sauce, dairy-free, plant-based, comfort food, gluten-free option, easy vegan recipe

Find it online: https://norasfoods.com/creamy-vegan-mac-and-cheese-with-cashew-sauce-easy-homemade-recipe/