Creamy Vegan Baked Broccoli Mac and Cheese

• •16 oz Elbow macaroni or other short pasta
• •4 cups Broccoli florets (from 1 large head, chopped into bite-sized pieces)
• •1 Canned cannellini or great northern beans (15 oz, rinsed and drained)
• •1 cup Raw unsalted cashews (soaked in hot water for at least 15 minutes, then drained)
• •2 cups Unsweetened soy milk (or other non-dairy milk of choice)
• •1 cup Nutritional yeast
• •2 tbsp All-purpose flour
• •1 tsp Onion powder
• •1 tsp Garlic powder
• •1 tsp Salt (or to taste)
• •1 tsp Black pepper (or to taste)
• •1 tsp Ground turmeric (for color)
• •1 tbsp Apple cider vinegar

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.

2. 2

   Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. While the pasta cooks, steam or blanch the broccoli florets for 3-4 minutes until fork-tender. Drain both and set aside.

3. 3

   Prepare the cashew cheese sauce: In a high-speed blender, combine the drained soaked cashews, soy milk, nutritional yeast, flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, turmeric, and apple cider vinegar. Blend until completely smooth and creamy. You may need to scrape down the sides occasionally. If the sauce is too thick to blend, add a tablespoon or two of water.

4. 4

   Add the cooked pasta, steamed broccoli, and rinsed white beans to the baking dish. Add the cashew cheese sauce and stir gently to combine everything thoroughly, ensuring the pasta and vegetables are well coated.

5. 5

   Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and heated through. For a slightly crispy topping, you can finish it under the broiler for 1-2 minutes (watch carefully to prevent burning).

6. 6

   Remove from oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Chef's Tips

• 💡For extra crunch, sprinkle some panko breadcrumbs mixed with a little vegan butter over the top before baking.
• 💡If you don't have time to soak cashews, you can boil them for 10 minutes, then drain, to soften them quickly.
• 💡Feel free to customize with other vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers. Add them with the broccoli in Step 2.
• 💡Adjust the amount of nutritional yeast for more or less 'cheesy' flavor.