Creamy Cashew Vegan Mac & Cheese: A Deliciously Healthy Comfort Food

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 12 oz elbow macaroni (or your favorite small pasta)
• 1 cup raw cashews
• 1 ½ cups unsweetened plant‑based milk (almond, oat, or soy)

Sauce Components

• ¼ cup nutritional yeast
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

Seasonings & Extras

• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons all‑purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon sea salt (or to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Optional: ½ cup frozen peas or chopped spinach

Instructions

Preparing the Cashew Sauce

1. Sauté aromatics. Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook 3–4 minutes until translucent, then stir in the garlic and cook another 30 seconds until fragrant.
2. Make a roux. Sprinkle the flour over the onions, stirring constantly for 1 minute. This forms a light roux that will thicken the sauce without any dairy.
3. Blend the base. Transfer the soaked cashews, plant‑based milk, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to a high‑speed blender. Blend on high until completely smooth—about 1–2 minutes. The mixture should be thick but pourable.
4. Combine & simmer. Pour the blended cashew mixture into the saucepan with the roux. Reduce heat to low and whisk continuously for 4–5 minutes, watching for the sauce to thicken and coat the back of a spoon. If it becomes too thick, add a splash of extra plant milk.

Cooking the Pasta

1. Reserve pasta water. Before draining, scoop out ½ cup of the starchy cooking water. This can be stirred into the sauce later to achieve a silkier consistency.
2. Drain & rinse. Drain the pasta in a colander and give it a quick rinse with warm water to stop the cooking process. Return the pasta to the pot.
3. Mix with sauce. Pour the creamy cashew sauce over the pasta, adding the reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until the coating looks glossy and evenly distributed.
4. Fold in veggies. If you’re using peas or spinach, stir them in now so they warm through without overcooking.

Baking the Mac & Cheese

1. Preheat oven. Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) while you assemble the dish.
2. Even out the surface. Use a spatula to smooth the top of the pasta, ensuring an even layer of sauce.
3. Bake. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20‑25 minutes, or until the edges are bubbling and the top is lightly golden.
4. Rest before serving. Remove from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes. This rest period allows the sauce to set, making each portion neat and creamy.