Well-Crafted Macaroni and Cheese Mix

Chef

Cookbook

The Homemade Vegan Pantry

Published by Ten Speed Press

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Well-Crafted Macaroni and Cheese Mix

This image courtesy of Eva Kolenko

Editor's Note: If you want to add some cheesy taste to your favorite vegan recipes, then you will want this Well-Crafted Macaroni and Cheese Mix on hand! The perfect addition to casserole recipes, pasta dishes, and so many other meal ideas, this mix is versatile and easy to make. If you love to have an assortment of ready-to-use seasonings on hand, then you'll be pleased to learn you can prepare this mix, then keep it in the pantry for up to two months. This vegan seasoning is a new take on the classic mac and cheese recipe!

Unless you were raised by macrobiotic hippies, you've had it. I've had it. And there's no shame in saying it — we've all had macaroni and cheeseout of the box. My kids would plead with me to buy it, and I was thrilled when the vegan stuff came on the market. Maybe you don't crave it anymore, but it sure is convenient to have some on hand for the kids or the babysitter. But there's no need to buy it, because you can make the instant cheese sauce mix yourself in just a few minutes! This version is richer than the variation that follows, utilizing glorious cashews.

CostInexpensive

Easy

Make Ahead RecipeYes

Kid FriendlyYes

One Pot MealYes

Dietary ConsiderationVegan

EquipmentFood Processor

Taste and TextureCheesy, Savory

Ingredients

1 cup cashews
3/4 cup nutritional yeast
1/4 cup oat flour
1/4 cup tapioca flour
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon organic sugar
2 teaspoons powdered mustard
2 teaspoons sea salt
2 teaspoons onion powder

Instructions

Add all of the ingredients to a food processor and process until a powder is formed. There should not be any discernible chunks or large granules of cashews, so this may take 3 to 4 minutes of processing.
Store this in a jar or portion out into 1/3 cup increments and put in Ziplock bags and store in the pantry for a month or two or in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.

Notes

Makes 1 2/3 cups, or enough to coat the equivalent of 5 store-bought boxes of instant macaroni and cheese.

How to use Well-Crafted Macaroni and Cheese Mix: Cook 1 cup of dry macaroni according to package instructions and drain. Combine 1/3 cup mix with 1 cup water or unsweetened nondairy milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk well and bring to a boil. Simmer for 1 minute, then toss with hot cooked macaroni.

These mixes are also a great answer for turning yesterday's leftovers into a quick casserole. Just combine leftover pasta, potatoes, or grains, some veggies, and any other odd scraps you think might be a good fit and mix it in a casserole dish with some of the cheese mix and water. You can add additional spices and herbs if you wish. Then bake it all up into creamy goodness. You can also use the mix to make quick sauces for veggies or add it to soups for extra cheesy flavor and richness — it's quite versatile.