Dairy-Free Copycat Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese
Craving the creamy indulgence of Chick-fil-A's beloved mac and cheese but need a dairy-free twist? Look no further than this Dairy-Free Copycat Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese recipe! Featuring velvety cashew-based cheese sauce enriched with nutritional yeast and dairy-free cheddar shreds, this plant-based version delivers the same comforting richness without compromise. Perfectly cooked dairy-free elbow macaroni is coated in a deeply flavorful sauce seasoned with garlic, onion, and paprika, with a hint of turmeric for added warmth and vibrancy. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe is ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or as a delightful side dish. Serve it warm and savor the magic of Chick-fil-A’s signature dish—reimagined for a dairy-free lifestyle!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 oz Dairy-free elbow macaroni
- 1 cup Cashews
- 1 cup Almond milk, unsweetened
- 0.25 cup Nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Turmeric powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 cup Dairy-free cheddar shreds
Instructions
Soak cashews in hot water for at least 15 minutes to soften them. This will ensure they blend smoothly into the sauce.
Cook the dairy-free elbow macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Drain the soaked cashews and add them to a high-speed blender along with almond milk, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, turmeric powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. This will be your dairy-free cheese sauce.
In a saucepan over medium heat, pour in the cashew cheese sauce and heat, stirring continuously. Add the dairy-free cheddar shreds and stir until they melt and the sauce is thickened and creamy.
Add the cooked macaroni to the saucepan and gently stir to coat the pasta evenly with the cheese sauce.
Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
Serve the dairy-free mac and cheese warm, garnished with a sprinkle of paprika or fresh herbs if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2505 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 131.6 g | 169% | |
| Saturated Fat | 63.6 g | 318% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 10.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 3659 mg | 159% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 280.5 g | 102% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 21.8 g | 78% | |
| Total Sugars | 16.5 g | ||
| Protein | 75.0 g | 150% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.2 mcg | 11% | |
| Calcium | 591 mg | 45% | |
| Iron | 19.5 mg | 108% | |
| Potassium | 1620 mg | 34% | |
*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.
