Ingredients
- An 8-ounce pack of raw elbow macaroni
- A dash of vegetable oil for cooking
- Finely chopped medium-sized onion
- A generous cup of wholesome cashews
- A delightful 1/3 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Approximately 1 and 1/3 cups of pure water
- A pinch of salt to enhance flavors
- 1/3 cup of nourishing canola oil
- 4 ounces of succulent roasted red peppers, well-drained
- 3 tablespoons of enriching nutritional yeast
- A hint of garlic powder for added kick
- A sprinkle of onion powder to round off the dish
Step 1
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), getting it nice and toasty for what's to come.
Step 2
Next, grab a large pot and fill it with some lightly salted water, letting it come to a rolling boil. Toss in your macaroni and let it dance in the water for 8 to 10 minutes until it's just right – not too soft, not too firm. Once done, give it a good drain and transfer it to a cozy medium baking dish.
Step 3
Now, in a medium saucepan, heat up some vegetable oil over medium heat. Toss in some diced onions and let them sizzle until they're tender and tinged with a lovely golden brown hue. Mix these caramelized onions with the macaroni, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.
Step 4
For the creamy sauce, let's get creative! In a blender or food processor, combine cashews, a splash of lemon juice, some water, and a pinch of salt. Slowly drizzle in some canola oil while adding roasted red peppers, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and onion powder. Give it all a whirl until it transforms into a smooth, luscious sauce. Gently fold this decadent sauce into the macaroni and onion mixture, ensuring every piece is coated in deliciousness.
Step 5
Pop the baking dish into the preheated oven and let it bake for around 45 minutes, or until it's kissed with a beautiful light brown color. Once it's done, allow it to cool for 10 to 15 minutes to let the flavors settle and mingle before serving up this delightful dish to your eager guests. Enjoy!
Extra Tips & Suggestions
- 1. Invest in some high-quality airtight containers to store leftover ingredients like cashews and nutritional yeast, keeping them fresh for future use in your vegan mac recipe.
- 2. Utilize your freezer space by making a big batch of the vegan cheese sauce and freezing it in portioned containers. Simply thaw overnight in the refrigerator when you're ready to whip up a quick and delicious mac and cheese.






