Southern Style Vegan Mac

Step by step

1. 01

   Start here

   Heat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.

2. 02

   Step 2

   Boil the macaroni in salted water for 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain; do not rinse.

3. 03

   Step 3

   Blend cashews, roasted carrot, oat milk, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until completely smooth.

4. 04

   Step 4

   Pour the sauce into a saucepan and simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Add 1 1/2 cups vegan cheddar and stir until melted.

5. 05

   Step 5

   Taste the sauce now. It should taste slightly more seasoned than you want the finished mac because the pasta will soften it.

6. 06

   Step 6

   Fold macaroni and sauce together. Spread in the baking dish and top with the remaining cheddar.

7. 07

   Step 7

   Melt vegan butter and mix with breadcrumbs. Scatter over the top. Bake 20 to 24 minutes, just until bubbling around the edges.

8. 08

   Finish and serve

   Rest for 10 minutes before serving so every scoop holds together.

Vma’s notes

The oven is the finish, not the rescue. Do not bake until the center dries out.

Make the sauce one day ahead, then warm it before mixing with pasta.