Vegan Mac N Cheese Aka Creamy Cashew Macaroni

• elbow macaroni gluten-free pasta (or your favorite pasta shape)↗12 ounces
• raw unsalted cashews (do not use roasted, salted etc)↗3 cups
• unsweetened coconut milk↗1 can
• hot boiling water1 cup
• vegetable bouillon cube↗1
• garlic cloves, minced↗3 cloves
• nutritional yeast flakes↗1⁄4 - 1⁄2 cup
• rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)↗1 -2 tablespoon
• salt and pepper

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Cook pasta as directed on package. Drain and set aside in a large bowl. Cover so it won't dry out.

2. 2

   Grind cashews in food processor on high speed until relatively smooth. It's okay if the result is rather grainy looking, so long as what you have is mostly a thick paste.

3. 3

   With processor on low speed, slowly add in the entire can of coconut milk.

4. 4

   Dissolve the bullion cube in the hot water completely. Again with processor on low speed, slowly pour into the cashew/coconut milk mixture to incorporate fully.

5. 5

   Add in the garlic and blend.

6. 6

   Still on slow speed, add in the nutritional yeast, 2TB at a time. Taste after each 2TB to determine the taste that suits you. More nutritional yeast = more cheddar-y type flavor, however, some people do not like the yeast-y flavor it can impart. Add in as much or as little as suits you.

7. 7

   Add in the vinegar the same way, starting with about 1TB, then adding in more 1tsp at a time, tasting after each tsp to determine what you like. The more vinegar you add, the more "sharp" taste you get. For a very sharp taste, try white vinegar.

8. 8

   Salt and pepper to taste.

9. 9

   Once the sauce is at your satisfaction, pour over the pasta and mix well. Add in water (or make some additional broth) if you prefer a thinner sauce. Refrigerate any leftover sauce.

10. 10

    I coupled this with some braised spinach (2 bunches of fresh spinach coarsely chopped and sautéed in 2TB olive oil over medium heat for about 3 minutes), that I threw right into the bowl (you can see the spinach in the picture above). Other veggies that would probably pair nicely: peas, braised julienne carrots, steamed broccoli, steamed asparagus tips.