

These can add a lot of color and flavor, so feel free to experiment with what works best for you. You can (optionally) top with black pepper, sun-dried tomatoes, basil or parsley. Again, if it feels too thick, you can add a little more soy milk. Keep tossing lightly until all the macaroni is evenly coated. This may take several minutes, as the sauce will clump together until warmed by the pasta. Take the cheese sauce and toss it into the macaroni. When fully cooked, drain through a colander and pour the pasta into a large mixing bowl. Step TwoĬook the macaroni according to package instructions. But if you’re in a hurry, feel free to make the sauce and pasta at the same time – you won’t notice much of a difference. This allows the flavors to meld together and the sauce is improved. Ideally, you would refrigerate this sauce for several hours before using. It’s best to make it a little too thick because you can always add more milk when mixing with the macaroni. Use your judgement to add more soy milk and blend until the mixture is creamy but not runny. Blend until smooth.Īt this point, you have a killer cheese spread that would go great on crackers (try it sometime!) but for our Mac & Cheese sauce, it probably needs more liquid in order to coat the pasta. 1 tablespoon vinegar (white wine, apple cider, etc.)Īdd the cashews, nutritional yeast, garlic, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, pepper, and part of the soy milk to a food processor.BBQ Sauce – Drizzle homemade vegan BBQ sauce on top for a tangy twist.Vegan Parmesan – Make vegan grated Parmesan cheese with cashews, walnuts, or hemp seeds.Shiitake Mushroom Bacon – This bacon option has a delicious meaty texture.Coconut Bacon – Turn coconut flakes into crunchy and smoky vegan bacon bits.To elevate the flavor of your Avocado Mac and Cheese, garnish the dish with the following toppings: The longer it sits, the more the avocado will turn brown. It’s best to serve this dish once it’s made. Can I make Avocado Mac and Cheese in advance? Plus, the avocado in the sauce will turn brown, making the pasta discolored. The thawing process will make the sauce watery. Can Avocado Mac and Cheese be frozen?Īvocado Mac and Cheese won’t freeze well. The dish will still be okay to eat during this time. If you must store leftover Avocado Mac and Cheese, store it in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. The sauce will eventually brown, as avocado becomes discolored once it’s exposed to air. Yes, but the dish is best eaten immediately. Photo: Kirsten Nunez Frequently Asked Questions Can I store leftover Avocado Mac and Cheese? To round out this dish, add vegetables or plant protein. Don’t have non-dairy milk? Use vegetable broth or the leftover water from the cashews or pasta.This ensures all the ingredients are thoroughly and evenly blended. As you puree the ingredients, pause as needed to scrape down the sides. Recipe Tips, Variations, and Substitutions Garnish with dried parsley, black pepper, or paprika. Combine the sauce and cooked pasta, gently reheating the mixture over low-medium heat.Pause to scrape down the sides as necessary. Blend the sauce ingredients, slowly adding the milk or pasta water until smooth.Don’t add the milk or pasta water just yet. In a blender, combine the soaked cashews, onion, avocado, apple cider vinegar, nutritional yeast, and spices.If you’d like, save the pasta water for the sauce. While the cashews are soaking, prepare the pasta according to the package’s directions.Add hot water, completely submerging the nuts. Place the cashews in a heat-safe container or bowl.
#Easy vegan mac and cheese with cashews how to
Here’s how to make Avocado Mac and Cheese: For the full, printable recipe, see the recipe card at the end of this post. All you need to do is soak the cashews, blend the sauce, and cook the pasta. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish is perfect if you’re looking for a quick meal. If you eat gluten-free, use your favorite gluten-free version. Be sure to use unflavored milk, rather than sweetened or vanilla milk. Nutritional yeast, also known as “nooch,” gives the sauce a cheesy flavor. They’re packed with protein and fiber, too. The fats in cashews also give the sauce a creamy texture. If you need tips on preparing things ingredient, check out our tutorial on how to cut an avocado. Ripe avocado makes this sauce creamy and tasty. You can also serve it as an entrée topped with Coconut Bacon, Vegan Parmesan, or steamed veggies for a delicious meal. To serve Avocado Mac and Cheese as a side, pair it with Vegan Meatloaf or Carrot Hot Dogs.
