EASY VEGAN MAC 'N' CHEESE

Easy vegan mac 'n' cheese image

Enjoy this healthy, vegan version of mac 'n' cheese. Creamy and nutty, cashews take centre stage, along with plant-based milk, vegan cheese and plenty of veg

Provided by Dr. Gemma Newman

Categories Dinner

Time 45m

Yield Makes 4 portions

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

500g macaroni
vegan parmesan, grated, to serve
100g cashew nuts
1 large carrot, cut into chunks
1 medium floury potato, cut into chunks
1 onion, roughly chopped
1 celery stick roughly chopped
150g sweet potato or butternut squash, cut into chunks
3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp mustard powder
2 tbsp nutritional yeast (optional)
200ml plant-based milk
150g cherry tomatoes
50g wholemeal breadcrumbs
a few basil leaves, finely chopped
50g vegan cheese, grated

Steps:

For the sauce, put the cashew nuts in a saucepan of water and bring to the boil. Boil for 5 mins, then add all the vegetables and the garlic. Continue to simmer for at least 10 mins until all the veg is tender.
Drain and transfer to a blender. Add all the remaining sauce ingredients and season with salt. Blend until smooth.
Bring a large pan of water to the boil and add a good pinch of salt. Tip in the macaroni and cook following pack instructions. Drain and mix with the vegetable sauce. If you like, sprinkle with vegan parmesan to serve. The macaroni cheese can be eaten like this or you can bake it in the oven.
To bake the mac n cheese, heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Transfer to an ovenproof dish and stir through the tomatoes. Mix the breadcrumbs with the basil and vegan cheese, then scatter ver the top and bake for 25 mins until piping hot and bubbling.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 750 calories, Fat 16 grams fat, SaturatedFat 3 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 120 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 12 grams sugar, Fiber 13 grams fiber, Protein 26 grams protein, Sodium 0.21 milligram of sodium