Print

Creamy Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese: Easy Vegan Side

vegan butternut squash mac and cheese - featured image
Print Recipe

A rich, dairy-free mac and cheese featuring a velvety butternut squash and cashew sauce, topped with crispy fried sage for a comforting and flavorful meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups cubed, peeled butternut squash
  • 1 cup raw cashews (soaked for at least 2 hours)
  • 1 cup low sodium vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened oat milk
  • 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Sea salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • 1 pound shell pasta or cavatappi
  • 1 cup fresh sage leaves (rinsed and patted dry)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Peel and cube the butternut squash, toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast for 30-40 minutes until tender. Let cool slightly.
  2. Soak cashews in hot water for at least 2 hours (or 30 minutes in boiling water). Drain and rinse.
  3. In a blender, combine roasted squash, soaked cashews, vegetable broth, oat milk, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Blend until completely smooth.
  4. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
  5. Warm the sauce in a large skillet over low heat. Add drained pasta and toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency.
  6. Heat olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Fry sage leaves for 30-60 seconds per side until crisp. Remove and drain on paper towels.
  7. Transfer mac and cheese to a serving dish and top with crispy sage leaves. Serve immediately.

Notes

Roast squash until deeply caramelized for better flavor. Do not skip soaking cashews to ensure a smooth sauce. When frying sage, keep heat at medium to prevent burning. The sauce may thicken when chilled; add liquid when reheating. Freeze sauce separately from pasta for best storage results.

Nutrition

Keywords: vegan mac and cheese, butternut squash recipe, dairy-free comfort food, crispy sage, cashew cream sauce, fall recipes, gluten-free option

Find it online: https://livelybite.com/creamy-butternut-squash-mac-and-cheese-easy-vegan-side/