Dairy-Free Classic Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
Indulge in comfort food made better with this **Dairy-Free Classic Creamy Macaroni and Cheese**—a plant-based twist on a timeless favorite. This rich and velvety dish uses a luscious cashew-based sauce, blended with nutritional yeast, garlic, onion powder, and a hint of Dijon mustard for a burst of cheesy flavor without the dairy. Perfectly cooked elbow macaroni is coated in the silkiest sauce, delivering all the creaminess you crave while staying vegan-friendly and lactose-free. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish is ideal for weeknight dinners or as a crowd-pleasing side at your next family gathering. Whether you’re dairy-free, vegan, or just looking to try something new, this recipe is sure to be a hit!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Elbow macaroni
- 1 cup Cashews
- 1 cup Water
- 0.5 cup Nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Instructions
Start by soaking the cashews in hot water for at least 15 minutes. This will help soften them for blending.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a blender, combine the soaked cashews, 1 cup of fresh water, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, olive oil, and Dijon mustard.
Blend the mixture until completely smooth and creamy. This might take a couple of minutes, so be patient to ensure no cashew bits remain.
Transfer the cooked macaroni to a large saucepan over low heat.
Pour the creamy cashew sauce over the macaroni and stir well to combine, ensuring every piece of pasta is coated with the sauce.
Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, until heated through, about 3-5 minutes.
Keep tasting and adjust seasoning if required, adding more salt or pepper to taste.
Serve immediately for the best creamy texture. Enjoy your Dairy-Free Classic Creamy Macaroni and Cheese!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1962 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 93.7 g | 120% | |
| Saturated Fat | 16.3 g | 82% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 12.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2517 mg | 109% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 227.4 g | 83% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 15.0 g | 54% | |
| Total Sugars | 15.6 g | ||
| Protein | 58.2 g | 116% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 97 mg | 7% | |
| Iron | 17.5 mg | 97% | |
| Potassium | 1015 mg | 22% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
