Soulful Vegan Mac and Cheese with Roasted Broccoli Rabe
This vegan mac and cheese is anything but your average one-pot wonder. It's made with a creamy cashew-based sauce that's rich and flavorful, and it's topped with roasted broccoli rabe for a touch of bitterness that perfectly balances out the sweetness of the sauce. It's the perfect comfort food for a cold night, and it's sure to become a favorite of vegans and omnivores alike.
I've always loved mac and cheese, but I've never been a fan of the traditional dairy-based version. It's always been too heavy and rich for my taste. A few years ago, I started experimenting with vegan versions of my favorite comfort foods. I tried a few different mac and cheese recipes, but I was never really satisfied with the results. They were either too bland or too watery. Finally, I had a breakthrough. I decided to make a cashew-based sauce, and it was a game-changer. The sauce was rich and creamy, and it had a nutty flavor that I loved. I added some roasted broccoli rabe to the top for a touch of bitterness, and the result was the best vegan mac and cheese I'd ever had.
Soulful Vegan Mac and Cheese with Roasted Broccoli Rabe Soulful Vegan Mac and Cheese with Roasted Broccoli Rabe Soulful Vegan Mac and Cheese with Roasted Broccoli Rabe Soulful Vegan Mac and Cheese with Roasted Broccoli Rabe
Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 30 | Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 12 ounces elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup unsalted cashews, soaked for 4 hours or overnight
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened plant-based milk
  • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 bunch broccoli rabe, washed and trimmed
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Toss broccoli rabe with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast on a baking sheet for 10-12 minutes, or until tender.
  3. In a large pot, cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  4. While pasta is cooking, make the cheese sauce. In a blender, combine cashews, plant-based milk, nutritional yeast, cornstarch, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy.
  5. Pour cheese sauce over cooked macaroni and stir to combine.
  6. Transfer macaroni and cheese to a baking dish and top with roasted broccoli rabe.
  7. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until bubbly and heated through.
Why It Works
  • The cashew-based sauce is rich and creamy, and it has a nutty flavor that perfectly complements the sweetness of the roasted broccoli rabe.
  • The roasted broccoli rabe adds a touch of bitterness that balances out the sweetness of the sauce.
  • The recipe is easy to make, and it can be customized to your liking.