Gourmet Cashew Cream Mac & Cheeze
Indulge in this rich and creamy mac & cheese that's entirely plant-based and bursting with flavor! This recipe features a velvety cashew cream sauce, enhanced by the unique texture of blended potatoes. The hint of smoked paprika and depth from nutritional yeast create a flavor profile reminiscent of traditional mac & cheese, making it a perfect comfort dish for vegans and non-vegans alike. Top it off with crispy breadcrumbs for that delightful crunch, or enjoy it straight from the pot for a quick and satisfying meal. This delightful dish is ideal for family gatherings or cozy evenings in, providing both nourishment and satisfaction in every bite.
N/A
Servings
200
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Olive oil
6 tablespoons (divided)
White onion
1 large (peeled and sliced)
Potato
3/4 cup (cubed and peeled)
Cashews
1 cup (raw)
Water
1 1/2 cups (for blending)
Smoked paprika
1 teaspoon
Garlic granules
1 teaspoon
Nutritional yeast
3 tablespoons
Soy sauce or Miso
1 tablespoon
Mustard
1 teaspoon
Apple cider vinegar or Lemon juice
2 teaspoons
Salt
to taste
Black pepper
to taste
Breadcrumbs
1/4 cup
Dried macaroni noodles
14 ounces
Instructions
1
1. In a large pot, heat 4 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onion and sauté until it becomes soft and lightly browned, about 10 minutes.
2
2. Stir in the cubed potato, cashews, water, smoked paprika, garlic granules, nutritional yeast, soy sauce or miso, and mustard. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes, allowing the potatoes and cashews to soften.
3
3. Transfer the contents of the pot to a high-speed blender. Add the apple cider vinegar and blend until completely smooth, adjusting with more water as necessary to achieve your desired creamy consistency. Taste and season with salt and black pepper to your liking.
4
4. Cook the dried macaroni noodles in a large pot of well-salted boiling water according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain the noodles and return them to the pot.
5
5. Pour the creamy cashew sauce over the pasta, stirring until the noodles are thoroughly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed. Transfer the mixture to an oven-proof serving dish.
6
6. Preheat your oven's grill to the highest setting. In a small bowl, toss the breadcrumbs with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and a pinch of salt until evenly coated.
7
7. Sprinkle the seasoned breadcrumbs over the mac & cheese. Place the dish under the hot grill for a couple of minutes, watching closely as the breadcrumbs crisp up to a golden brown.
8
8. Remove from the grill and serve immediately, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
Nutrition Information
12g
Fat
16.7g
Carbs
5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gourmet Cashew Cream Mac & Cheeze?
It is a rich and creamy plant-based mac & cheese featuring a velvety sauce made from cashews, potatoes, nutritional yeast, and spices.
Is this recipe suitable for vegans?
Yes, this recipe is entirely plant-based and vegan-friendly.
How many calories are in a serving of this dish?
Each serving contains 200 calories.
What makes the sauce in this recipe so creamy?
The creaminess comes from blending softened cashews and boiled potatoes in a high-speed blender.
What are the key ingredients for the cheese sauce?
The sauce is made from cashews, potatoes, nutritional yeast, smoked paprika, garlic granules, mustard, and soy sauce or miso.
How long should I sauté the onions?
Sauté the sliced white onion in olive oil for about 10 minutes until soft and lightly browned.
Can I use miso instead of soy sauce?
Yes, the recipe allows for either 1 tablespoon of soy sauce or miso to add depth of flavor.
What can be used as an alternative to apple cider vinegar?
You can use 2 teaspoons of lemon juice as a substitute for apple cider vinegar.
Do I need to peel the potatoes?
Yes, the recipe specifies using 3/4 cup of cubed and peeled potatoes.
How long should the potato and cashew mixture simmer?
The mixture should simmer for 15 minutes to allow the potatoes and cashews to soften.
Is a high-speed blender necessary for this recipe?
A high-speed blender is recommended to achieve a completely smooth and creamy consistency for the sauce.
How do I cook the macaroni noodles?
Cook 14 ounces of dried macaroni in well-salted boiling water according to the package instructions, then drain.
How do I achieve a crispy breadcrumb topping?
Toss 1/4 cup of breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and a pinch of salt, then grill for a couple of minutes until golden brown.
Can I eat this mac and cheese without baking it?
Yes, you can enjoy it straight from the pot after mixing the sauce with the noodles for a quick meal.
What type of mustard is recommended?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of mustard to enhance the flavor profile of the cheese sauce.
How much fat is in this recipe?
There are 12 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 16.7 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the protein content per serving?
This dish provides 5 grams of protein per serving.
What kind of onions should I use?
The recipe requires one large white onion, peeled and sliced.
How much nutritional yeast is required?
You will need 3 tablespoons of nutritional yeast to give the sauce its cheesy flavor.
Can I make this dish gluten-free?
Yes, by using gluten-free macaroni noodles and gluten-free breadcrumbs, this recipe can be easily adapted.
What role does smoked paprika play in the recipe?
Smoked paprika provides a hint of smokiness and depth, reminiscent of traditional mac & cheese flavors.
How much water should I use for blending the sauce?
The recipe suggests 1 1/2 cups of water for blending, adjusting with more if needed for consistency.
How do I adjust the sauce consistency if it is too thick?
While blending, you can gradually add more water until you reach your desired creamy consistency.
At what temperature should I grill the topping?
Preheat your oven's grill to the highest setting for the breadcrumb topping.
How many ingredients are needed in total?
The recipe uses 15 ingredients in total.
What kind of cashews should be used?
The recipe specifies using 1 cup of raw cashews.
Should the breadcrumbs be seasoned?
Yes, toss the breadcrumbs with olive oil and a pinch of salt before topping the dish.
Is this recipe good for family gatherings?
Yes, its rich flavor and satisfying nature make it ideal for family gatherings or cozy evenings.
Can I add fresh herbs for garnishing?
Yes, the recipe suggests garnishing with fresh herbs before serving if desired.