Baked Potato Mac-n-Cheese

2017-02-01

Yield : 1 Skillet
Servings : 5
Prep Time : 5m
Cook Time : 45m
Ready In : 50m

I’m always down for a good mac and cheese recipe – heck, I’ve already posted one here! However, after much experimenting and a lot of taste testing, a new favorite mac & cheese recipe has emerged.

Baking mac-n-cheese has always been my favorite way to eat the stuff and the addition of mashed potatos adds a new layer of texture to the dish and only enhances its creaminess. The crunchy crust mixed with the velvety cashew cheese and potatoes made this dinner one I won’t soon forget (possibly because I made enough for the whole week…or a day depending on how I’m feeling..)

Hope you enjoy!

Ingredients

8-10 oz pasta of choice (I used chickpea shells)
1 1/2 cup mashed potatoes
1 cup raw cashews
1 cup unsweetened almond milk (plus more for mashed potatoes)
1/3 cup nutritional yeast
2 T tahini
2-3 cloves minced garlic
3 t lemon juice
1 t tumeric
1/4 t cayenne
1/4 t smoked paprika
1/2 t salt
1/8 t pepper
Approx. 1/4 cup bread crumbs

Method

Step 1

1. Boil potatoes and cook pasta (according to the box) on stove. I used 1 large russet potato and boiled it for approx. 25 min. (it helps to cut it into smaller pieces before boiling). Once pasta is cooked remove it, strain it and set aside. When the potato is soft (a fork goes in easily), add a bit of almond milk and salt and mash.

Step 2

2. While the potatoes are cooking, create your 'cheese' sauce. Combine raw cashews and almond milk in a food processor until a smooth, thick liquid is formed. Following this, add in all other ingredients with the exception of the bread crumbs (on the list above, from the nutritional yeast down to the pepper)

Step 3

3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Once your cheese sauce is made and your potatoes and pasta are cooked, combine pasta, potatoes and half your cheese in a large mixing bowl. Then, lay out the pasta-potato mix in a cast iron skillet or an 8 by 8 pan.

Step 4

4. Pour remaining cheese over your pasta mix, sprinkle with bread crumbs, and place in the oven for about 15 minutes (I used a skillet, may be shorter or longer depending on which pan you use). Once slightly crispy, remove from oven , cool slightly and serve. Enjoy!

Lauren Bossi

My name is Lauren Bossi; I run Track & Field at the University of Hartford in CT. I've got a passion for running and plant-based eats. When I'm not wandering around the aisles of the grocery store I enjoy cooking, baking, photography, pun-writing and tag-saling.

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