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Creamy Dairy-Free Mac and Cheese Recipe Easy Homemade with Nutritional Yeast

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A creamy, dairy-free mac and cheese made with soaked cashews, nutritional yeast, and plant-based milk, delivering a rich, cheesy flavor without any dairy. Perfect for a quick, comforting meal that suits vegan and lactose-intolerant diets.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup (140 grams) raw cashews, soaked for at least 2 hours or boiled for 15 minutes
  • 1/4 cup (20 grams) nutritional yeast
  • 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) unsweetened plant-based milk (almond, oat, or soy milk)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Soak the cashews: Place raw cashews in a bowl and cover with water. Let them soak for at least 2 hours or boil for 15 minutes if short on time.
  2. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook for 7-8 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. Make the sauce: Drain soaked cashews and add to a high-speed blender. Add plant-based milk, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and smoked paprika if using.
  4. Blend until silky: Blend on high for 1-2 minutes until smooth and creamy with no cashew bits visible.
  5. Combine pasta and sauce: Pour sauce into the pot with drained pasta. Stir over low heat for 2-3 minutes to warm through and thicken. Add a splash of plant milk if sauce is too thick.
  6. Taste and adjust: Add more salt, lemon juice, or nutritional yeast as desired. Remember sauce thickens as it cools.
  7. Serve immediately: Spoon into bowls and enjoy warm. Garnish with fresh herbs or cracked black pepper if desired.

Notes

Soak cashews well for a smooth sauce; use a high-speed blender for best texture. Warm sauce gently on low heat to avoid separation. Adjust seasoning gradually, especially nutritional yeast as saltiness varies by brand. For nut-free option, substitute cashews with cooked white beans or cauliflower blended until smooth. Gluten-free pasta or spiralized vegetables can be used for gluten-free or grain-free versions.

Nutrition

Keywords: dairy-free mac and cheese, vegan mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, nutritional yeast recipe, plant-based mac and cheese, lactose-free comfort food

Find it online: https://elaraeats.com/creamy-dairy-free-mac-and-cheese-recipe-easy-homemade-with-nutritional-yeast/