Description
For the best plant-based comfort meal, make this vegan mac and cheese with sweet potatoes, coconut milk, and nutritional yeast.
Ingredients
- 1/2Â cupÂ
(3 ounces) raw cashews
- 12Â ouncesÂ
dry elbow macaroni noodles, cooked
- 1 1/2Â cupsÂ
diced peeled sweet potato (7 ounces)
- 1/2Â cupÂ
diced peeled carrot (2 ounces)
- 1Â cupÂ
canned full-fat coconut milk
- 1/4Â cupÂ
nutritional yeast
- 2Â teaspoonsÂ
freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2Â teaspoonsÂ
Dijon mustard
- 1/2Â teaspoonÂ
salt
- 1/4Â teaspoonÂ
onion powder
- 1/4Â teaspoonÂ
smoked paprika
- 1/4Â teaspoonÂ
freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4Â teaspoonÂ
turmeric, optional
- 1/8Â teaspoonÂ
garlic powder
- Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
Instructions
- Soak the cashews in water overnight. Soak the cashews in 2 cups of water, uncovered, for 10 to 12 hours, or until they break apart when squeezed between two fingers.
- Prepare the pasta. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Place aside.
- Microwave the sweet potato and carrots to soften them. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine sweet potato, carrot, and 1/4 cup water. Wrap the vegetables in plastic wrap, making sure the wrap does not touch the vegetables. Microwave for 6 minutes on HIGH, or until the veggies are soft. In a blender, combine the sweet potatoes, carrot, and steaming liquid.
- Prepare the cashew sauce. Remove the cashews from the water and set aside. In a blender, combine the drained cashews, coconut milk, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, onion powder, smoky paprika, black pepper, turmeric (if using), garlic powder, and nutmeg. Blend for roughly 3 minutes on high speed, or until perfectly smooth. Stop the blender, scrape down the sides, and blend for 1 minute more.
- Serve the pasta with the sauce on top. Toss the cheese sauce and cooked pasta together until coated, then serve.
Notes
Storage: Refrigerate vegan cheese sauce in an airtight jar for up to 1 week. When the noodles are stored, they may absorb part of the sauce. Return the sauce to its original creamy smoothness by stirring in more coconut milk.
If you want a thinner sauce, add up to 1/2 cup extra coconut milk to achieve the desired consistency.
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 servings
- Calories: 428kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 59g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 0g
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