Thanks for sticking with me the past couple of weeks. I’ve moved home and (almost) unpacked and finally can get back to cooking and food blogging. And did I mention how nice it is to have a full kitchen again? It’s very nice.
One of the last things I ate before I moved was a frozen Amy’s rice macaroni and cheese. Blog-worthy? No. But incredibly delicious. I’d forgotten how good macaroni and cheese could be. Naturally I had it on the brain as soon as I got home and decided to make it almost immediately.
Trader Joe’s corn pasta is one of the few gluten-free pastas I like; you can’t even tell from the taste or texture that it’s gluten-free. It’s that good. Nutritionally, it’s not the best. But if you’re trying to win over a picky eater—gluten-free or not—it’s a safe bet.
This cheese sauce is made with cashews so it’s not only dairy-free but also soy-free. The nuts also add fiber and protein to the dish. You could substitute 3 Tablespoons of cashew butter in a pinch if that’s what you have on hand.
Gluten-Free Vegan Mac N’ Cheese
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Ingredients(Makes 2 servings):
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3/4 cup gluten-free macaroni
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1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons raw cashews
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7 Tablespoons(or a scant 1/2 cup) water
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2 Tablespoons nutritional yeast
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1/4 teaspoon onion powder
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1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
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1/4 teaspoon turmeric(for color only)
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1/4 teaspoon pepper
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Pepper and basil for garnish
Method:
- Prepare the macaroni by submerging it in salt water and boiling for 8-10 minutes. Undercook the macaroni slightly.
- While the macaroni cooks, make the cheese sauce by blending the cashews in 2-3 Tablespoons of water in a food processor.
- Once the cashews are pureed smoothly, add the rest of the water and all of the spices and seasonings. Continue blending until well-mixed.
- Drain the macaroni from the water and divide it between two small ramekins. Pour the cheese sauce on top evenly.
- Broil at 400 degrees for 5 minutes until the top starts to brown.
- Garnish with cracked pepper and chiffonade basil. Serve hot.
The basil and pepper help to lighten up the flavor, since no one wants a heavy mac n’ cheese dish in the Summer. The healthy fats in the sauce fill you up for hours and yet taste wholly satisfying. It’s not quite as easy as a frozen meal but well worth the effort.