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Vegan Taco Mac and Cheese Bake

Vegan Mac and Cheese Taco Bake with Walnut Taco Meat and Vegan Cashew Queso combines two family favorites into one epic vegan casserole that comes together quickly! Make it tonight.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
55 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 612 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American , Tex-Mex

Ingredients

For the Walnut Chickpea Taco Meat:
  • ½ cup raw walnuts
  • ¾ cup cooked chickpeas
  • 3 tbsp sundried tomato packed in olive oil or 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp chili powder blend I use chipotle powder chili blend, which a lot more flavor of the chipotle chili
  • ½ Jalapeño
  • 1 pickled jalapeno
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp oregano
For the Cashew Queso:
  • ¾ cup of raw cashews soaked in hot water for at least 15 minutes
  • 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • ¼ tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp chili powder blend
  • 1 small garlic clove
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp Chipotle pepper flakes or chipotle pepper powder
  • 1/2 tsp miso
  • ½ cup water
For the Mac Bake:
  • 2 cups elbows or mac or other pasta uncooked
  • ½ cup chopped tomatoes or fresh salsa
  • 2 cups Water or stock
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 - 2 tbsp pickled jalapeno
  • 2 tbsp tortilla chips crushed, optional

Instructions

To make the walnut chickpea taco meat:
    Cup of Yum
  1. Add the walnuts to a food processor, and process until the mixture resembles bread crumbs.
  2. Add in the rest of the ingredients and process until the mixture is homogeneously combined and there are no whole chickpeas remaining, but it still has texture.
  3. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, and taste and adjust flavor. If the mixture is too dry add in a tsp or so of oil, or lime juice, and mix in.
To make the Cashew Queso:
  1. Drain the cashews, and add to a blender along with half a cup of water and the rest of the ingredients until really really smooth and set aside.
To assemble:
  1. Grease a baking dish, about 8 by 10 inch baking dish, or similar size, really well. Add your pasta , and spread all over.
  2. Scoop the walnut taco meat mixture using a cookie scoop or spoon, and place it on top of the elbows.
  3. And some tomato or salsa, you can also add in the pickled Jalapenos if you like.
  4. Drizzle your cashew queso and sprinkle some salt all over. Then pour 2 cups of water. all of the mixture should be evenly covered.
  5. Cover the dish with foil and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes.
  6. Remove the dish. You can check at 40 minutes if the top is set, and that the pasta is cooked from the edge and remove it or continue to bake another five minutes.
  7. Sprinkle the top with some crushed tortilla chips, sliced up pickled jalapenos, and serve. You can also drizzle some thinned out vegan sour cream or reserve 1-2 tbsp queso and use that to garnish

Notes

  • For Glutenfree:, use Glutenfree pasta. 
  • If you don't have miso paste, add more nutritional yeast

Nutrition Information

Calories 612kcal (31%) Carbohydrates 81g (27%) Protein 21g (42%) Fat 24g (37%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Trans Fat 1g Sodium 761mg (32%) Potassium 796mg (23%) Fiber 9g (36%) Sugar 8g (16%) Vitamin A 944IU (19%) Vitamin C 9mg (10%) Calcium 97mg (10%) Iron 6mg (33%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 612

% Daily Value*

Calories 612kcal 31%
Carbohydrates 81g 27%
Protein 21g 42%
Fat 24g 37%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Sodium 761mg 32%
Potassium 796mg 17%
Fiber 9g 36%
Sugar 8g 16%
Vitamin A 944IU 19%
Vitamin C 9mg 10%
Calcium 97mg 10%
Iron 6mg 33%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.