Say Pseudo Cheese! Gluten-free, Low-Fat, Vegan Broccoli Rabe & Sundried Tomatoes Mac n’ Cheese

Mac n’ Cheese is one of my favorite foods.  I get crazy over this stuff.  When I became more plant-based mac n’ cheese was not on my menu.   Although I missed it (especially my uncle’s mac n’ cheese) my body didn’t miss what it did to me afterwards, so I searched for a healthier version.  I went to a couple vegan restaurants, but didn’t find one I was crazy about.  This prompted me to make my own.  Plus I’m trying to go more gluten-free these days, so the best way to meet my criteria was in the Stay Classy & Fit kitchen.

Servings 8, Inspired by Oh She Glows Cheeze Sauce 

Ingredients

• 1 8oz box of Quinoa Pasta Shells

Cheese Sauce

• ½ cup nutritional yeast (The main ingredient for your cheese sauce.  You can find this at Whole Foods)
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ¼ tsp paprika
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• ¼ tsp turmeric
• ½ tsp sea salt (add more if needed)
• 2 tsp dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp tahini
• 1 tbsp dairy-free butter (Earth Balance)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 3 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 ¼ cup pasta water (from cooked pasta)

Optional – You can add any of your favorite veggies and seasonings, but this mix is a winner.

• 1 cup of frozen broccoli rabe
• 1 clove of minced garlic
• ¼ cup of sundried tomatoes
• ½ tsp oregano
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes

Directions

1. Boil quinoa pasta.  Drain the pasta when it’s al dente, but reserve about 2 cups of pasta water and set aside. 
2. Sautee garlic, broccoli rabe, and sundried tomatoes over medium heat.  Set aside when cooked. 
3. Blend all cheese ingredients in the blender to make it extra creamy including 1 ¼ cup of pasta water (save the rest of the pasta water for later).
4. Then heat cheese sauce over medium-low heat.  Stir until the sauce thickens.
5. Add pasta and stir.  If you want to put more moisture add a little bit of pasta water and stir. 
6. Then add sautéed broccoli rabe and sundried tomatoes. 
7. Sprinkle oregano and red pepper flakes
8. Say Pseudo Cheese!