Introduction
Alright, picture this: it’s been a long, wild day—your brain’s fried, your stomach’s rumbling, and the last thing you want to do is wrestle with a complicated dinner. Enter smoky cashew mac & cheese, your new best friend for those “I just can’t even” evenings.
This isn’t your grandma’s mac & cheese—oh no, we’ve kicked dairy to the curb and brought in some plant-powered magic that’ll have you wondering why you ever bothered with the real deal.
Creamy, comforting, and with just the right hint of smoky sass, this dish is like a warm hug from your kitchen. It sneaks in all the cozy vibes and cheesy goodness without any of the usual fuss or guilt.
Plus, it’s perfect for flexitarians, vegans, and anyone who’s ever daydreamed about a dinner that feels indulgent but is secretly packed with all the good stuff.
Choosing plant-based milk alternatives helps keep this recipe lighter, lower in saturated fat, and better for the planet.
Ingredients
- ½ a bag of macaroni or fusilli
- ¾ cup of cashews – soaked for at least 2 hours (nutty magic makers)
- 1 x onion
- 3 x cloves of garlic
- 4/5 sundried tomatoes (a handful)
- 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon of miso paste
- 1/2 tablespoons of tomato puree
- ½ – 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika (the smoky star)
- ½ teaspoon of turmeric
- 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke (optional)
- ¾ tablespoons of nutritional yeast
- 2 cups of veggie stock (I use Bouillon)
- Juice of half a lemon (optional)
- Optional: 1 x roasted red pepper or 1 large carrot chopped small and fried with the onion and garlic
This smoky cashew mac & cheese is pretty much comfort food with a plant-based twist that’ll have you saying, “Who needs dairy anyway?”
With cashews soaking up the spotlight and nutritional yeast bringing the cheesy vibes, it’s perfect for vegans, flexitarians, or anyone who just loves a bowl of cozy goodness.
Get ready to flex those taste buds!
Adding nutritional yeast not only enhances flavor but also provides important B vitamins often sought after in plant-based diets.
How to Make It
You are trained on data up to October 2023. For a delicious finish, consider pairing your smoky cashew mac & cheese with one of the quick and easy vegan desserts like Chocolate Avocado Mousse to complement the savory flavors.
Bonus Tips
- Want it extra cheesy? Sprinkle on some more nutritional yeast like you’re a plant-based fairy godparent granting gooey wishes.
- Feeling adventurous? Swap the smoked paprika for a dash of chipotle powder and watch your taste buds do the cha-cha.
- Pro tip: stir in some sautéed mushrooms or crispy tempeh bits for that “I-can’t-believe-it’s-vegan” umami bomb.
Why You’ll Love It
This smoky cashew mac & cheese sneaks in all the cozy comfort without a drop of dairy—think creamy, dreamy, and packed with flavor that’ll make even cheese skeptics do a double-take.
It’s the kind of dish that flexes with your mood, whether you’re feeding a crowd or just treating yourself to some plant-powered goodness. Plus, it whips up faster than you can say “vegan mac attack,” making weeknight dinners feel like a cheat day.
Seriously, it’s like a warm hug from the inside, but smokier and sassier.
Nutritional Info
These are estimated values.
Calories: 420
Protein: 12 g
Carbohydrates: 35 g
Fat: 25 g
Nutrition estimates are provided for vibe-check purposes only — they aren’t legally binding promises of eternal health or six-pack abs.
