It can be a challenge for parents to find vegan/plant-based meals that their children will actually eat, particularly in households where the plant-based diet is a switch from the standard American diet. Well what kid doesn't like mac and cheese? This mac and cheese has the same look, creaminess, and great taste that they are used to without the dairy. Super easy and quick to make too! Plus it's gluten-free! (as long as gluten-free noodles are used).
Kid-Friendly Vegan Mac and Cheese
Makes 4 servings
8 oz brown rice macaroni noodles (2 cups dry)
3/4 cup raw walnuts
1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
1/4 cup roasted red peppers from a jar
1/4 cup nutritional yeast*
1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot powder
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
Cook noodles according to package directions. While noodles are cooking, place all other ingredients in a high-power blender. Blend until smooth.
When noodles are done, remove from heat, drain, and return to the cooking pot and keep warm by placing a lid on the pot.
Blend the sauce again for 2-3 minutes to warm it. Pour sauce over the cooked noodles and stir to combine. Serve immediately.
Serving suggestion: For a complete meal, add a bag of frozen mixed vegetables to noodles in the last few minutes of cooking.
*Not familiar with nutritional yeast? Nutritional yeast is a very healthy deactivated yeast packed with B-vitamins, folic acid, selenium, zinc, and protein. It does not in any way resemble or taste like brewers yeast or bread yeast. It is a yellow flake (use the flake kind not the powder if possible) that dissolves into the food you add it to giving that cheese-nut flavor. You can find it at Whole Foods, in health food stores, or buy it online here.