With 18 grams of plant protein, this vegan mac and “cheese” is sure to satisfy. (It’s also a great choice for people who have to steer clear of dairy.) Pair it with a large salad or roasted vegetable medley for a complete meal you’ll savor. Give it a try!

Try my Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Muffins.

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Mac and Cashew Cheese

With 18 grams of plant protein, this vegan mac and “cheese” is sure to satisfy. (It’s also a great choice for people who have to steer clear of dairy.)
Servings: 6 servings
Prep Time: 2 hours
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
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Ingredients
 

  • 1½ cups cashews
  • ½ cup cooked cannelini beans*
  • ½ cup nutritional yeast
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 cup water, more or less depending on desired consistency
  • 1½ cups whole grain elbow macaroni

Instructions
 

  • Soak cashews in water for 2 to 4 hours. Drain.
  • Add cashews, beans, yeast, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, rosemary and 1/2 cup water to a high-powered blender and puree until smooth. Slowly add more water until desired consistency is reached. Less water yields a thicker consistency; more water gives you a thinner sauce.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste and for those who like it spicy, toss in a dash of hot sauce.
  • Cook whole grain pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta and stir into “cashew-cheese.”
  • *Rinse beans in a colander under cold running water to remove as much salt as possible. Alternatively, you can also look for low-sodium brands.

Notes

Recipe makes 1½ cups cashew-cheese sauce and 3 cups of pasta; each serving is ½ cup pasta with ¼ cup cheese sauce.
Author: Joy Bauer, MS, RDN, CDN

Nutrition Information per serving

Calories: 450Carbohydrates: 42gProtein: 18gTotal Fat: 25g— Unsaturated Fat: 20.5g— Saturated Fat: 4.5gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 260mgFiber: 6gTotal Sugar: 4g— Natural Sugar: 4g— Added Sugar: 0g
Nutrition information is calculated using a leading industry software. That being said, brands can vary, and there may be slight fluctuations in the numbers.
I’m hoping you loved this recipe! If you made it and want to share feedback, I’d be so grateful to hear from you. Please leave a review below or tag @joybauer on Instagram!