Ultimate Baked Vegan Mac & Cheese |
The ultimate of ultimates in comfort food has got to be Mac & Cheese! Everyone young and old, vegan or non-vegan LOVE Mac & Cheese and are always looking for a taste of this traditional dish. I have made it a few different ways and I happen to love a good Béchamel cheese sauce. It gives you that rich ooey gooey texture that Mac & Cheese is supposed to have. I also add a cheesy crunchy topping to just make the whole dish come together and keep you coming back for more. One of my sons all time favorites will hopefully be yours as well. Enjoy!
Ultimate Vegan Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
-4 tablespoons vegan butter
-1/4 cup flour
-2 cups vegan milk, I used Almond
-1 1/2 cups grated Vegan Cheese, I used Daiya (Cheddar & Jack)
-1/4 cup flour
-2 cups vegan milk, I used Almond
-1 1/2 cups grated Vegan Cheese, I used Daiya (Cheddar & Jack)
-1/2 teaspoon pepper
-1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
-1 Tablespoon Nutritional Yeast
-Pinch Nutmeg
-Salt to taste, do not exceed 1/2 tbsp (too salty)
-Salt to taste, do not exceed 1/2 tbsp (too salty)
-2 1/2 cup uncooked elbow macaroni, cooked 8 minutes or to al dente, with a little bite to it
Topping
-1 cup grated vegan cheese, I used Daiya Cheddar & Jack
-3/4 cup Panko bread crumbs (optional, if you don't like a crumb top)
-1 Tablespoon vegan Parmesan
-1/2 Tablespoon Nutritional Yeast
-Salt & Pepper, to taste
-1/2 tablespoon parsley (optional)
-1 Tablespoon oil
Directions
Heat oven to 375 Degrees
Heat a medium, deep skillet over medium heat. Add butter. When butter melts, add flour and combine. Gently cook, whisking flour and vegan butter together, until smooth and flour has had a chance to cook and slightly brown (tan color), about 3 minutes. Slowly add vegan milk that has been warm in the microwave for 2 minutes, continuing to whisk while adding. Gently bring vegan milk to a bubble while stirring frequently. Allow the vegan milk to thicken a bit, then stir in 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese a handful at a time. Season sauce with nutmeg, mustard, nutritional yeast, and salt &pepper. Taste and adjust for seasoning. Add cooked pasta to sauce and coat completely by turning over and over in the cheese sauce.
Heat oven to 375 Degrees
Heat a medium, deep skillet over medium heat. Add butter. When butter melts, add flour and combine. Gently cook, whisking flour and vegan butter together, until smooth and flour has had a chance to cook and slightly brown (tan color), about 3 minutes. Slowly add vegan milk that has been warm in the microwave for 2 minutes, continuing to whisk while adding. Gently bring vegan milk to a bubble while stirring frequently. Allow the vegan milk to thicken a bit, then stir in 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese a handful at a time. Season sauce with nutmeg, mustard, nutritional yeast, and salt &pepper. Taste and adjust for seasoning. Add cooked pasta to sauce and coat completely by turning over and over in the cheese sauce.
Mac & Cheese (You can eat it like this if you don't like it baked ) |
In a small bowl combine the vegan cheese, vegan Parmesan, nutritional yeast, panko bread crumbs, parsley, salt & pepper, lightly mix ingredients until cheese is separated and mixture is combined. Add Oil and mix again until everything is coated.
Transfer mac and cheese into a baking dish and top with vegan cheese and bread crumb topping. Place baking sheet in a 375 Degree oven for 20 minutes or until panko crumbs lightly brown and cheese melts. Take out of the oven and let cool until ready to serve, serve with salad or your favorite vegan proteins. Enjoy!
Pre-Baked Mac & Cheese |
TIP
-If you like your Mac & Cheese more orange in color, Add all cheddar, I mixed and it makes it lighter. Completely your choice, either way its going to taste delish! Enjoy!
-Amy