Plant-Based Mac And Cheese Recipe

Makes: About 4-6 servings
Season: All
Prep Time: 15 min / Cook Time: 30 min
Active Time: 15 min / Passive Time: 30 min
Total Time: 45 minutes

Nutritional Highlights:

Cashews are a wonderful source of heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, fiber, and plant protein. They are also rich in copper, magnesium, and manganese which are crucial nutrients for bone health, energy production, brain function, and immunity.

Tips & Tricks:

Mix in your favorite cooked vegetable before baking for a complete and more interesting meal.

Ingredients

8 oz Gluten-Free Pasta (We love Banza!)

Sauce:

1/2 cup Cashews, Raw
1 cup Yukon Potatoes, Peeled & Diced
1/2 cup Nutritional Yeast
1/2 cup Water
3 tablespoons Olive Oil
1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
1 Garlic Clove
3/4 teaspoon Miso
1.5 teaspoon Sea Salt
1/2 teaspoon Smoked Paprika

Bread-less Crumbs:

1/2 cup Longeve Panko Bread-less Crumbs**
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
1/4 teaspoon Sea Salt
1/2 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
Pinch of chili flake (optional)

Instructions

** If this ingredient is unavailable to you, feel free to substitute ground gluten-free pretzels or crispy brown rice cereal. Pulse in a food processor until a coarse meal is formed. Alternatively, place in plastic bag and roll with rolling pin or use a kitchen hammer to crush into crumbs. Measure the crumbs in volume afterwards.

Step 1

To soften the raw cashews soak overnight covered in water. Strain after soaking. Alternatively, combine in a pot with water and bring to a boil for 10 minutes. Strain onto a tray and let cool.

Step 2

Using the same pot (you don’t even have to wash it!) combine the peeled and diced golden potatoes with enough cold water to cover. Bring to a boil and simmer until cooked through, about 10-15 minutes. Strain onto the tray with the cashews and let cool. Preheat your oven to 350F.

Step 3

Combine all of the sauce ingredients into a blender until a smooth sauce comes together. Scrape down the sides as you go to achieve a smooth texture. Set aside. Bring a pot of water to a boil (yes you can use the same pot) and cook your favorite pasta following the instructions on the package. Once cooked, strain the pasta from the water. In the same pot add the blended sauce and mix well. Transfer to a baking dish, preferably 8x8.

Step 4

Combine all of the ingredients for the bread-less crumbs in a small bowl and sprinkle over the surface of the pasta mixture. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, until the surface has become slightly golden and the sauce is bubbling. Let cool for 5 minutes then serve!