Cajun Mac and Cheese (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
Cajun Mac and Cheese made with a zesty, easy cashew cheese sauce. Use gluten-free pasta shells for a completely gluten-free and vegan pasta recipe.
Servings 4 servings
Calories 168kcal
Ingredients
Cajun Mac and Cheese
- ½ cup raw cashews
- 1 package gluten-free shells or macaroni noodles 12 oz
- 2 cups cooked sweet potato (white or orange variety) about 1 large
- ¾ cup water
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 clove minced garlic
- ¾ teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- couple pinches cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Optional Mix-in's
- Hot sauce
- Green peppers
- Andouille sausage (vegan, chicken, or pork) cooked
- Shrimp cooked
Instructions
- Place your raw cashews in a high powered blender. Cover with boiling water. Allow to sit for 5 minutes. Drain and return cashews to blender.
- Bring a Dutch oven or large saucepan of water to a boil and prepare your pasta as directed on package.
- While your pasta is cooking, add cooked sweet potato, ¾ cup water, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, Cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper to the blender. Blend, eventually on high, until mixture is smooth. Add a bit more water, if necessary.
- Once pasta is cooked, drain and return to the saucepan. Pour cashew cheese sauce mixture over pasta. Stir to combine. Add additional salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning as desired. If adding optional mix-in's, turn heat to low, add to pot, and allow them to warm, up to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Keep the heat low as too much heat will cause your sauce to thicken and lose its creamy quality.
- Serve warm. Drizzle with hot sauce if desired.
Nutrition
Calories: 168kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 623mg | Potassium: 348mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 9621IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 2mg