Creamy Vegan Mac 'n Cheese
/[Sponsored]
This Mac 'n Cheese from Purple Carrot is so creamy and delicious, you wouldn't even know that it's vegan. You'll love it!
I'll admit, I was a little skeptical when I saw the recipe in my dinner kit. Vegan parmesan cheese, almond milk, and vegan butter? How could they possibly make for an authentic Mac?
But an authentic Mac these ingredients did make! The dish came together so well in the end that I actually imagined a mad scientist cooking up a storm in the kitchen at Purple Carrot to conceptualize the recipe. Beakers, test tubes, and lab fires, oh my!
This little cooking fantasy was really more about the food being absolutely delicious than being surprised it was vegan because it doesn't take a rocket scientist to make plant-based meals taste great!
Plus, working plant-based meals into your diet is probably one of the best ways to improve your health and well-being because it makes it so easy to fuel your body with additional vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that will keep your body healthy in the long-term! This is why my meal planning to incorporates meat-free dinners at least a couple times per week, and yours should too!
Long story short, Purple Carrot offers 100% plant-based meals that are absolutely scrumptious. By ordering their meal kit, you'll get your weekly dose of plant-based meal while pleasing your palate at the same time! Use the code Diet30 to receive $30 off of your first order!
Creamy Vegan Mac 'n Cheese
Time: 35 Minutes
Serves 3
Adapted from Purple Carrot's Creamy Mac 'n Cheese
Ingredients
6 oz pipette pasta
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp arrowroot starch
8 oz almond milk
1 lemon, halved
1 packet dijon mustard
5 tbsp nutritional yeast
3 tbsp vegan parmesan cheese
1 tbsp vegan butter
½ cup panko breadcrumbs
2 tbsp green chiles
8 oz broccoli florets
2 tbsp olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Place a large pot of salted water over high heat. Once boiling, add the pipette pasta, stir, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Drain but do not rinse.
Place a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat with 1 tbsp olive oil. Set aside 1 tsp of the garlic. Once hot, add the remaining minced garlic and cook until slightly toasted, about 1 to 2 minutes. Add the arrowroot starch and whisk continuously for 1 minute longer.
Slowly whisk the almond milk into the large skillet and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring frequently. It’s okay if this mixture is lumpy. Carefully transfer the sauce to a blender. Add lemon juice, dijon mustard, nutritional yeast, and vegan parmesan to the blender and season with salt and pepper. Blend, taste, and adjust seasoning with salt if necessary.
Set oven to broil on high. Melt the vegan butter in a microwave or small skillet. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, panko breadcrumbs, and a pinch of salt.
Return the cheese sauce to the large skillet and place over medium-low heat. Add as much or as little of the green chiles as you’d like to the sauce. Bring sauce to a simmer and stir in cooked pasta. Transfer mac n’ cheese to a 8x8 baking dish and top with buttery breadcrumbs. Broil until golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Rinse the large nonstick skillet and place over medium-high heat with 1 tbsp olive oil. Once hot, add the broccoli florets and remaining garlic. Cook until garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. Add 2 tbsp water to create steam and cover. Cook until broccoli is just tender, about 4 to 5 minutes. Scoop servings of creamy mac n’ cheese onto large plates. Serve with garlic broccoli. Dig in!
