Baked Potato Mac-n-Cheese
User Reviews
5
Baked Potato Mac-n-Cheese
Description
Baked Potato Mac-n-Cheese begins with boiling russet potatoes until tender, then mashing them with salt and some almond milk for creaminess. Pasta shells are cooked separately to al dente. The cheese sauce is made by blending raw cashews and almond milk until smooth, then mixing in garlic, nutritional yeast, tahini, lemon juice, turmeric, cayenne, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper for flavor and color.
The cooked pasta and mashed potatoes are combined with half of the cheese sauce, then spread into a baking dish. The remaining sauce is poured on top, and bread crumbs are sprinkled over before baking at 350°F to develop a crisp crumb topping and meld the layers. The final dish contrasts creamy pasta and potatoes with a golden textured surface.
This dish offers a dairy-free, plant-based take on classic mac and cheese using mashed potatoes and a nut-based sauce for depth and creaminess. It can serve as a comforting main or side.
The mashed potatoes contribute significantly to the creamy texture, so avoid skipping the baking step to allow flavors and textures to improve in the oven.
Ingredients
- 8-10 ounces pasta shells type of pasta of choice
- 1 1/2 cups potato mashed
- 1 cup cashews raw
- 1 cup almond milk unsweetened
- 1/3 cup nutritional yeast
- 2 Tablespoons tahini
- 2-3 garlic minced, number missing
- 3 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs
Instructions
- Boil potatoes and cook pasta (according to the box) on stove. I used 1 large russet potato and boiled it for approx. 25 min. (it helps to cut it into smaller pieces before boiling). Once pasta is cooked remove it, strain it and set aside. When the potato is soft (a fork goes in easily), add a bit of almond milk and salt and mash.
- While the potatoes are cooking, create your 'cheese' sauce. Combine raw cashews and almond milk in a food processor until a smooth, thick liquid is formed. Following this, add in all other ingredients with the exception of the bread crumbs (on the list above, from the nutritional yeast down to the pepper)
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Once your cheese sauce is made and your potatoes and pasta are cooked, combine pasta, potatoes and half your cheese in a large mixing bowl. Then, lay out the pasta-potato mix in a cast iron skillet or an 8 by 8 pan.
- Pour remaining cheese over your pasta mix, sprinkle with bread crumbs, and place in the oven for about 15 minutes (I used a skillet, may be shorter or longer depending on which pan you use). Once slightly crispy, remove from oven , cool slightly and serve. Enjoy!
Notes
- Mashed potatoes add creaminess—don't omit them for optimal texture.
- Baking is essential to develop the golden crust and harmonize flavors.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 5servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 437 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 437kcal | 22% |
| Carbohydrates | 56g | 19% |
| Protein | 21g | 42% |
| Fat | 18g | 28% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Sodium | 409mg | 17% |
| Potassium | 489mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 10g | 40% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 98IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 17mg | 19% |
| Calcium | 129mg | 13% |
| Iron | 7mg | 39% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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