Vegan Mac & Cheese with Crispy Beyond Meat

I’m allergic to dairy. Yep I know what you’re thinking, Whaat!! How awful! I could never live without cheese! Well I’ve had this issue my whole life and it hasn't been until the last 5 years that having such an allergy has had so many options. With the birth of the plant based lifestyle the talented chefs out there are making missing such things as cheese, no longer an issue.

One things that I was missing big time was Mac and Cheese. Well I have exciting news, I no longer have to miss that wonderful, soulful dish and neither do you! I’ve got here for you the best Mac and Cheese recipe that I’ve found, tweaked it and voila! The best part is that those who don’t know will never know it’s vegan.

I’ve taken the recipe one step further and added crispy Beyond Meat to the recipe to add that special kick.

I hope that you and your family enjoy this dish as much as mine does, my son usually has seconds and sometimes thirds! (both boys in my house are not allergic to dairy)

Enjoy!! xoxo

What you need

1/2 cup raw cashews

1 medium peeled carrot, steamed or roasted

1/4 cup Nutritional Yeast or Cheese style shreds as desired (I love VioLife)

1 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar

1/2 Cup water, plus more for soaking

2 tsp Olive oil

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp onion powder

1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

Macaroni noodles

Beyond Meat patties ( I use 2)

The How

1. Completely cover the nuts in a bowl with water. Let soak for 2-6 hours. If you forget you can boil water and cover the nuts for 30 mins prior. Or you can cover and refrigerate overnight.

2. Combine all the ingredients including the 1/2 cup of water but not including the optional cheese shreds in a blender until completely smooth. Transfer to a pot and heat until your desired temperature, stirring in cheese shreds at the end. Tip* I use a Vitamix on high so it heats the sauce for me, not need to transfer to a pot unless you are adding the shreds.

3. Taste, and add extra seasonings (onion, salt, nutmeg, pepper, salt) if desired.

4. While pasta is cooking add approx a tbsp of olive oil to a pan and crumble in your beyond meat. Break apart and brown until crispy.

5. Once your pasta is cooked, drain and add back to your pot. Pour in cooked Beyond Meat and add sauce. Mix together and serve.

6. Compliment with a delicious salad