Vegan Chick-fil-A Inspired Mac n Cheese
Introducing a heartwarming twist on a comfort food classic, this Vegan Chick-fil-A Inspired Mac n Cheese is creamy, indulgent, and completely plant-based! Featuring a homemade cheese sauce created from nutrient-packed ingredients like cashews, nutritional yeast, carrots, and potatoes, this recipe delivers bold, savory flavors reminiscent of the famous fast-food favorite — but without any dairy. Enhanced with hints of smoked paprika, turmeric, and Dijon mustard, and finished with a luxurious touch of vegan butter, this dish will satisfy vegans and non-vegans alike. Perfect for weeknight dinners or family gatherings, it’s quick to prepare in just 35 minutes and makes a deliciously satisfying meal for four. Treat yourself guilt-free with this dairy-free, cruelty-free comfort dish!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 oz Elbow macaroni
- 2 cups Unsweetened almond milk
- 1 cup Nutritional yeast
- 1 cup Raw cashews
- 1 medium Carrot
- 1 medium Potato
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Onion powder
- 1 tsp Smoked paprika
- 0.5 tsp Turmeric
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice
- 2 tbsp Vegan butter
- 1 cup Vegetable broth
- 1 tsp Mustard (Dijon or yellow)
Instructions
Soak the raw cashews in hot water for at least 15 minutes, then drain and set aside.
Peel the carrot and potato, then chop them into small pieces.
In a medium saucepan, add the chopped carrot, potato, and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft. Remove from heat.
While the vegetables are cooking, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt, and cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a blender, combine the soaked cashews, cooked vegetables along with the remaining broth, almond milk, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, turmeric, salt, black pepper, lemon juice, and mustard. Blend until smooth and creamy.
Return the drained macaroni to the large pot. Add the vegan butter and stir until melted over low heat.
Pour the blended cheese sauce over the pasta in the pot, and stir well to coat evenly.
Cook on low heat for another 5 minutes to warm through and thicken slightly, stirring occasionally.
Serve hot, and enjoy your Vegan Chick-fil-A Inspired Mac n Cheese!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2586 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 104.0 g | 133% | |
| Saturated Fat | 17.6 g | 88% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 3182 mg | 138% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 307.8 g | 112% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 55.5 g | 198% | |
| Total Sugars | 22.3 g | ||
| Protein | 129.0 g | 258% | |
| Vitamin D | 5.0 mcg | 25% | |
| Calcium | 1219 mg | 94% | |
| Iron | 25.1 mg | 139% | |
| Potassium | 4287 mg | 91% | |
*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.
