Description
Creamy “vegan spaghetti squash mac n cheese” delivers comfort without dairy, blending plant-based magic into a classic favorite. Nutritious strands of squash cradle rich, cheesy sauce, inviting comfort seekers to savor each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (medium) spaghetti squash
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
- 1 cup raw cashews (soaked in water for at least 4 hours or boiled for 20 minutes)
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk (or any plant-based milk)
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp turmeric (optional, for color)
- 1 cup broccoli florets (steamed) or green peas
- Chives or parsley (fresh, chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Elevate oven temperature to 400F (200C), creating an ideal roasting environment for the spaghetti squash.
- Squash Prepping: Slice spaghetti squash lengthwise with precision, extracting seeds and creating a clean surface for roasting.
- Seasoning Technique: Generously coat exposed squash flesh with olive oil, sprinkling salt and pepper to enhance natural flavors.
- Roasting Process: Position squash halves cut-side down on parchment-lined baking sheet, allowing even heat distribution for optimal tenderness.
- Roasting Duration: Allow squash to transform in oven for 40 minutes until flesh becomes effortlessly shreddable with fork tines.
- Sauce Creation: Combine soaked cashews, almond milk, nutritional yeast, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and turmeric in high-speed blender, pulverizing until silky smooth.
- Sauce Consistency: Adjust liquid content by introducing additional almond milk, achieving desired creamy texture.
- Squash Transformation: Gently extract delicate strands from roasted squash using fork, transferring to spacious mixing bowl.
- Sauce Integration: Cascade vegan cheese sauce over squash strands, thoroughly intermingling for complete flavor coverage.
- Nutritional Enhancement: Incorporate steamed broccoli or green peas, introducing vibrant color and additional nutrients.
- Final Touches: Calibrate seasoning to personal preference, ensuring balanced flavor profile.
- Presentation: Adorn with freshly chopped chives or parsley, serving immediately while maintaining optimal temperature and texture.
Notes
- Choose medium-sized spaghetti squash with firm, uniform surfaces and no soft spots for best texture and flavor.
- Ensure cut sides face down during roasting to prevent moisture loss and achieve perfect caramelization and tender strands.
- Soak cashews overnight or use hot water for 30 minutes to create ultra-creamy, silky vegan cheese sauce without grainy texture.
- Add nutritional yeast generously to enhance cheesy flavor and provide essential B-vitamins for plant-based diets.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg