0 from 6 votes
Mexican Mac and Cheese (Vegan!)
Mac & cheese gets a Mexican-style twist! Pasta and veggies are tossed in a taco-seasoned cheese sauce with green chiles. It's richly flavorful and made with healthy ingredients!
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4 medium bowls
Calories: 420 kcal
Course:
Side Dish , Main Course
Cuisine:
Vegan , gluten-free
Ingredients
- 8 oz. Elbow Noodles (gluten-free if desired)
- 3 green onions
- 1 roasted red pepper
- 2 roma tomatoes
For the Mexican-style cheese sauce:
- 1 cup raw cashews (soaked*)
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
- 1 Tbsp. taco seasoning
- 4 oz. can diced green chiles (I use mild)
- 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 tsp. salt
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions, leaving al dente (slightly firm, not mushy). Drain when finished.
- Meanwhile, make the cheese sauce: Place all sauce ingredients in a high-speed blender. Blend until smooth.
- Slice green onions.
- In a large non-stick pan over medium heat, add cheese sauce and green onions. Heat for 6-7 minutes, stirring often until slightly thickened.
- Meanwhile, finely dice tomato and roasted pepper.
- When cheese sauce has slightly thickened, add drained pasta, tomato, and roasted pepper.
- Heat for about 5 minutes, stirring often, or until warmed through.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- *Soaking cashews: Before blending, soak the cashews in room temperature water for at least 4-6 hours or overnight. Then drain and rinse before using. Alternatively, you can "quick soak" the cashews: Place cashews in a heat-safe bowl and carefully add hot/boiling water until cashews are covered. Let sit for about 10-15 minutes. Then rinse and drain.
- Yield: Recipe makes about 6 cups.
- Spicy version: Blend a jalapeño or chipotle in the cheese sauce. Or use medium/hot green chiles instead of mild.
- Blend a jalapeño or chipotle in the cheese sauce. Or use medium/hot green chiles instead of mild.
Nutrition Information
Calories
420kcal
(21%)
Carbohydrates
59g
(20%)
Protein
15g
(30%)
Fat
16g
(25%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
Monounsaturated Fat
8g
Potassium
479mg
(14%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
742IU
(15%)
Vitamin C
24mg
(27%)
Calcium
38mg
(4%)
Iron
4mg
(22%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4medium bowls
Amount Per Serving
Calories 420
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 420kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 59g | 20% |
| Protein | 15g | 30% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Potassium | 479mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 742IU | 15% |
| Vitamin C | 24mg | 27% |
| Calcium | 38mg | 4% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.