RIDICULOUSLY CREAMY VEGAN SHELLS & CHEESE

Ridiculously Creamy Vegan Shells & Cheese image

Provided by Kare for Kitchen Treaty

Time 20m

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 cup raw (unsalted cashews)
8 ounces small pasta shells (can substitute another pasta like good ol' macaroni)
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
1/2 medium clove garlic
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt + more to taste
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black + more to taste
1/2 cup water
Finely chopped fresh parsley (for garnish; optional)

Steps:

First soak your cashews using either the cold water (slower) method or the hot water (faster) method. Place cashews in a medium bowl or jar and pour 3 cups water over the top. If using cool water, they'll need to soak at room temperature for at least 2 hours (up to 24 hours). Alternately, you can pour 3 cups boiling water over the top, and then they'll only need to soak for about 15 minutes.
Place a large pot of water on the stove and bring to a boil. Add several pinches of salt to the water then add the pasta. Stir and cook according to package directions.
While the pasta is cooking, whip up the sauce. To the pitcher of a high-powered blender, add the soaked cashews, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, garlic, mustard, chili powder, turmeric, one teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and water. Blend on high until completely smooth. The sauce should be thick, but a pourable consistency. If it's is too thick, add another tablespoon or two of water and blend again until it can be poured.
Drain the cooked pasta and return to the pan (off the heat). Pour the sauce over the pasta. Gently stir with a wooden spoon until the pasta is completely coated with the sauce.
Taste and add additional salt and pepper if desired. Scoop into bowls or onto plates and garnish with a bit of chopped parsley if you wish. Serve and devour!