Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

(26)
"This recipe is a show stopper featuring my Walnut Tofu Meat AND Butternut Squash Cheese Sauce. I added rapini and spinach to the mix and I just can’t tell you how good it is so you’ll have to make it to find out"
-- @terianncarty

A Note from Feedfeed

This hearty and creamy vegan butternut squash mac and cheese is perfect for your next meatless Monday

Jump to Section
  • Recipe Card
Prep time 15mins
Cook time 10mins

Recipe Card

For The cheese Sauce

ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • Pinch of chili flakes
  • 2 cups roasted butternut squash
  • 1/2 cup cashews, soaked in water overnight and drained
  • 1 cup cashew milk
  • 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
  • 1-2 cups reserved pasta water

For the pasta

ingredients

  • 1 package short noodles of choice (such as penne or rigatoni)
  • Olive oil, for cooking
  • 1/2 onion, diced
  • 1 large clove garlic
  • 1/2 bunch rapini, chopped
  • 2 fistfuls (about 2 cups) spinach
  • 1 1/2 cups vegan taco meat
  • 2 cups cheese sauce
  • Chili flakes, to top
  • Vegan grated parmesan, to top (optional)
  • Sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper

For the cheese sauce

Method

  • Step 1

    In a large pot over medium heat, add the olive oil and sauté onion, garlic and chili flakes until softened and fragrant. Transfer to another dish.

  • Step 2

    To a blender, add the squash, drained soaked cashews, milk, nutritional yeast, turmeric, Dijon, onion, and garlic to a blender. Pulse until just combined.

  • Step 3

    On high speed, slowly add the pasta water to thin out the sauce to desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning.

For the pasta

  • Step 1

    Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and reserve pasta cooking water.

  • Step 2

    In a large pan over medium heat, heat olive oil, chili flakes, garlic and onion. Sauté for several minutes. Add rapini and tofu meat. Cook until rapini starts to soften.

  • Step 3

    Add cheese sauce and spinach. Add the cooked pasta into pan, tossing to coat. Add pasta water to thin out. Season with sea salt pepper and cheese.