Craving a dish that combines the creamy comfort of mac and cheese with a fiery buffalo kick? Look no further! This vegetarian buffalo mac cheese is about to revolutionize your dinner game, delivering mind-blowing flavor without the meat. Imagine a creamy, spicy sauce that coats perfectly cooked pasta, with a secret ingredient that makes this dish both indulgent and surprisingly healthy. Get ready to transform your boring mac and cheese into a restaurant-worthy sensation that will have everyone begging for seconds!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta
- 1 cup cauliflower, steamed
- 1/2 cup cashew cream
- 1/4 cup buffalo sauce
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- Salt to taste
- Chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- While pasta is cooking, steam the cauliflower until tender. You can use a steamer basket or microwave steaming method. Once soft, set aside.
- In a high-speed blender, combine cashew cream, buffalo sauce, nutritional yeast, and steamed cauliflower. Blend until smooth and creamy, creating a rich sauce.
- Transfer the blended sauce to a large skillet over medium heat. Stir continuously to warm the sauce and prevent sticking.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, gently stirring to ensure every pasta piece is evenly coated with the buffalo-style sauce.
- Season with salt to taste, adjusting the buffalo sauce intensity if desired by adding more or less.
- Once heated through and well combined, transfer to serving dishes.
- Garnish with freshly chopped green onions for added flavor and visual appeal.
- Serve immediately while hot and enjoy your spicy vegetarian mac and cheese.
Tips
- Cashew Cream Secret: Soak cashews overnight for the smoothest, creamiest sauce possible. If short on time, use hot water to speed up softening.
- Cauliflower Hack: Steam cauliflower until just tender to maintain its nutrients and create a velvety sauce texture.
- Sauce Consistency: If your sauce is too thick, add a splash of plant-based milk to achieve the perfect creamy consistency.
- Spice Control: Adjust buffalo sauce to your heat preference. Start with less and add more gradually.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare the sauce in advance and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days for quick weeknight meals.
- Garnish Game: Don't skip the green onions - they add a fresh, sharp contrast to the rich, spicy sauce.
- Nutritional Yeast Tip: Use high-quality nutritional yeast for the best cheesy flavor without dairy.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 0mg
