Raw Macaroni and Cheese
Indulge in a wholesome twist on comfort food with this Raw Macaroni and Cheese recipe, a vibrant and nutrient-packed dish perfect for plant-based or raw diets. Instead of traditional pasta, this recipe swaps in refreshing zucchini noodles, spiralized to perfection for a light yet satisfying base. The creamy "cheese" sauce, made from soaked raw cashews, nutritional yeast, fresh lemon juice, and a hint of turmeric for that classic golden hue, delivers all the rich, cheesy flavor without any dairy. Ready in just 20 minutes with no cooking required, this gluten-free, vegan meal is ideal for hot summer days or anytime you're craving something quick, healthy, and delicious. Serve it as a stand-alone dish or pair it with a crisp green salad for a complete and satisfying meal!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 medium Zucchini
- 1 cup Raw cashews
- 0.25 cup Nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 1 clove Garlic
- 0.5 cup Water
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Ground turmeric (for color, optional)
- 0.25 teaspoon Paprika (optional)
Instructions
1. Begin by preparing the zucchini noodles. Using a spiralizer or vegetable peeler, turn the zucchini into long, thin noodles. Set them aside in a large bowl.
2. Soak the raw cashews in warm water for 15 minutes. This step will help soften the cashews and ensure a creamy texture for the cheese sauce.
3. After the cashews have soaked, drain them and add them to a high-speed blender or food processor.
4. Into the blender, add nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic, water, salt, turmeric, and paprika (if using).
5. Blend the mixture on high speed until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. Add an additional tablespoon of water if the sauce is too thick.
6. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt or lemon juice for a brighter flavor.
7. Pour the creamy 'cheese' sauce over the zucchini noodles, tossing to coat thoroughly.
8. Serve immediately as a refreshing raw dish or let it sit for a few minutes to allow the zucchini noodles to absorb some of the sauce.
9. Optionally, garnish with a sprinkle of paprika or additional nutritional yeast before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
263 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 16.7 g | 21% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.1 g | 15% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 263 mg | 11% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 20.3 g | 7% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.3 g | 19% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.4 g | ||
| Protein | 13.1 g | 26% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 51 mg | 4% | |
| Iron | 3.3 mg | 19% | |
| Potassium | 864 mg | 18% | |
*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.
