One of the best things about creating a new recipe is taste testing. I don’t always make recipes multiple times, but this was one that I enjoyed tweaking and eating several times. I was happy to eat this for lunch or dinner, paired with a kale salad more often than not. Cheesy pasta balanced with greens – yep, that’s the way I roll!
I’m apparently on a vegan cheese kick recently, which is fine with me! And Kirk isn’t complaining much either. This particular recipe started a picture I saw on pinterest and knew I had to veganize it. I actually have a board devoted to those type of ideas, but they don’t always turn into recipes. I’m so glad this one did!
If you’re looking for a mac n cheese that is swimming in sauce, double the cashew cream and the cheddar cheese. If you’re a fan of a lighter coating, I think you’ll like the ingredients the way they are.
Beer & Butternut Squash Mac N Cheese
by
inspired by Back to Her Roots
Keywords: bake entree side vegan vegetarian
Ingredients (serves 4-6)
- 1 lb butternut squash, diced
- 9 oz pasta
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3/4 cup cup almond milk
- salt & pepper
- 1/2 cup cashews
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup silken tofu
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1/2 beer
- 1/2 cup cheddar
- 1 jalapeno, diced
- 1/4 cup bacon bits
- 1/2 cup panko
- Optional toppings: non-dairy sour cream, salsa
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain & set aside.
Add butternut squash, garlic, and almond milk to medium pot coated with cooking spray. Cook over medium heat for 20 minutes (or until soft), stirring occasionally.
While squash is cooking, grind cashews in food processor until reduced to a course meal. Slowly add water until paste until cream is formed. Add nutritional yeast and silken tofu and blend until smooth.
Add cashew mixture, beer, and non-dairy cheddar to pan and stir until cheddar is melted. Stir in jalapenos and bacon bits.
Add pasta and stir until evenly coated. Transfer mixture to casserole dish or 9×9 baking pan coated with cooking spray. Top with panko.
Bake for 30 minutes or until top is browned.
We enjoyed this both without toppings and with sour cream & salsa – depends on the mood I’m in. I think this is one of those recipes I could make multiple times…I mean, it is mac n cheese!
***********************
Questions for you:
- Any flavors you’ve been eating a lot of recently?
- What is your favorite comfort food?
- What would you pair with the Mac N Cheese?
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
My favorite comfort food is refried beans, bizarre I know!
Lee recently posted..It’s Not Always Sunny in Philadelphia
That is a different one, but creamy and savory – I can see that!
Yes please! :)
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More recently posted..What I Ate Wednesday // Breaking Away From the Usual
=)
I STILL laugh about the fact that bacon bits are vegan. I bet they were awesome in this mac! I love adding that savory saltiness to sweet winter squash.
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..Pumpkin Pie TVP “Oatmeal” + WIAW
I know, but boy am I happy they are!!
As soon as I saw the title of this post I thought, “Wow, she is on a vegan cheese kick lately.” Glad to know I’m not the only one thinking that. :)
For some reason, vegan cashew-based cheese all of a sudden looks super easy. I know you’ve told me this before, but today I am so motivated to go make some.
Of course, I have a whole day of work to get through, so we’ll see what happens after the next 8 hours or so…
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen recently posted..Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Proat(s)
Haha – you’re very observant! I do get into phases with food and it takes me a while to get it out of my system. I was like this for a while with kale too (which I have remarkably gotten less obsessive about). You HAVE to make cashew cheese…and give me all the credit for making you do it, of course! ;)
you know I’ve been eating a lot of “cheese” recently too ;) my thing lately? deli sandwiches. just a simple bread, tofurkey, cheese and TONS of crunchy iceberg… toasted in the oven a minute to melt the cheese and crisp the bread… I cannot stop, in fact, I had one for breakfast! :D
this recipe looks awesome – I have been craving a cheesy mac lately…
Kristina recently posted..roasted plum ice cream
That must mean all the “cool kids” are into vegan cheese right now. ;) I really want to find fieldroast deli slices to make a sandwich like that – Lauren (Oatmeal after Spinning) shared one on her blog recently that I’ve been thinking about!
the field roast is awesome! that’s what I usually get, but they were OUT. tofurkey works when I have a craving… ;)
Kristina recently posted..homemade twix cookie bars – peanut butter and caramel
Beer, cashews, squash and “cheese?” Well, now I really want this–These flavors sound amazing. Bookmarking this for a day where I just really need a cozy meal! And I’m such a doof–I always had the neon orange craft mac n’ cheese with hotdogs as a treat when I was a kid, so I still go buy a veggie dog any time I have mac n’ cheese. It’s just the perfect combo! Although I suppose I could be more adult and buy a fancy tofurkey italian sausage type thing instead these days.
Allie recently posted..WIAW: The Protein Blues
Yay!! I think fieldroast slices would be awesome in this – that should help you get to your “crazy” protein goals for the day, right?! :)
Oh, I love fieldroast! I buy one every thanksgiving/Christmas. Is it bad that my mind’s already spinning and I’m thinking of showing up to the family Thanksgiving with a fieldroast and a big casserole dish full of this mac? Can never plan too far in advance, right?
I recently made butternut squash for the first time. I only roasted it, but I’ve been so intimidated by the thick skin. I love to order it when I go out so my next is going to be a lasagna or this mac and cheese!
Heather @ girlyeverafter recently posted..WIAW and Halloween Sweet Tooth
The skin is a pain – I usually make Kirk slice into it for me if it’s a big one. I hope you try the mac & cheese – and then let me know what you think!!
I love comforting foods like this!! I would pair roasted broccoli or sauteed kale with mac and cheese!!
My favorite comfort food is chili or soup beans!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables recently posted..WIAW #21 Still Gone…
Either one of those sides sounds great. Did you ever think you’d been suggesting kale to eat when you were a kid? It’s funny how our tastes change (for the better). :)
That looks delicious. I’ve seen several recipes for mac and cheese with butternut squash. I think that pairing is brilliant!
Natalie @ Free Range Human recently posted..A Very Special WIAW
Absolutely brilliant – too bad I didn’t think of it first!
Yaaayy I love that you tried it! I also love your substitutions. Next time I will have to make it 100% vegan :)
Char @ http://www.charskitchen.ca recently posted..Whole Wheat Tortellini with Creamy White Sauce
Droooool. Come make that for me! I think mac n’ cheese, lasagna, and pb&j sandwiches are my top comfort foods.
Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers recently posted..Veg Pledge & Rabbit Salad
OH MAN…this looks delish! Thanks for sharing – I think Mikey would die if I made this for him! :D My favorite comfort food? Probably coffee. I know it seems weird, but if I’m alone, in a new place, or in an uncertain environment, I make or buy a cup of black coffee…something I’ve noticed with all the life changes in our lives over the past almost-5 years of marriage. ;)
Bonnie recently posted..Friday: Focus on FUN!
Made this last night for my roommates and they LOVED it!
I will definitely be making this again as a less boring version of my favourite comfort food :)