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Creamy Dairy-Free Mac and Cheese Recipe with Easy Cashew Sauce

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A comforting and creamy dairy-free mac and cheese made with a smooth cashew-based sauce, perfect for those avoiding dairy but craving a cheesy experience.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (150g) raw unsalted cashews, soaked
  • 8 ounces (225g) uncooked elbow macaroni (gluten-free pasta optional)
  • 1 ½ cups (360ml) unsweetened plant-based milk (almond or oat milk recommended)
  • ¼ cup (30g) nutritional yeast
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon ground mustard powder
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Pinch of black pepper
  • Olive oil or vegan butter (optional)

Instructions

  1. Soak the cashews in hot water for at least 4 hours or overnight for the creamiest sauce. If short on time, soak in very hot water for 1 hour.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente (7-9 minutes). Drain and set aside.
  3. Drain the soaked cashews and add them to a high-speed blender. Add plant-based milk, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, ground mustard powder, apple cider vinegar or lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
  4. Blend on high until the sauce is completely smooth and creamy, about 1-2 minutes.
  5. Pour the cashew sauce into a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly and cook for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly and becomes velvety. Add a splash of plant milk if the sauce is too thick.
  6. Add the drained pasta to the saucepan and gently stir to coat every piece with the sauce. Heat for another 2 minutes without boiling.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or vinegar if needed.
  8. Serve immediately, garnished with freshly chopped parsley or chives.

Notes

Use a high-speed blender for the smoothest sauce. Soaking cashews overnight yields the creamiest texture. Stir sauce gently over medium heat to avoid scorching. Add a splash of plant milk if sauce thickens too much. Gluten-free pasta can be used for a gluten-free option. Variations include adding steamed veggies, cayenne for spice, or swapping cashews with white beans for nut-free.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://emmaoven.com/creamy-dairy-free-mac-and-cheese-recipe-with-easy-cashew-sauce/