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Zesty Pumpkin Mac N’ Cheese {Vegan}

August 31, 2017 33 Comments Dairy Free, Dinner, Kid Friendly, Special Diets, Vegan, Vegetarian

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A comforting and season meal that’s quick and easy to make!

Zesty Pumpkin Mac N' Cheese - This delicious and comforting macaroni and cheese is completely vegan and so easy to make! Great for a quick and easy weeknight dinner!

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room, it’s still August and I just posted a pumpkin recipe. Β But, the past few days I really feel like fall is in the air and I’m so ready for cooler temperatures and comfort food. If you lived in Tucson you’d probably be laughing at me right now, because it’s a high of 105 this week, but I swear there is something fall-like in the air πŸ™‚

I also feel like the early appearance of savory pumpkin recipes aren’t quite as atrocious as sweet pumpkin recipes. Β Not sure if that’s really true, but we’ll pretend like it is.

Zesty Pumpkin Mac N' Cheese - This delicious and comforting macaroni and cheese is completely vegan and so easy to make! Great for a quick and easy weeknight dinner!

This Zesty Pumpkin Mac N’ Cheese is just so good that I couldn’t hold out on you any longer. Β It’s such a quick and easy meal to make and the pumpkin cheese sauce has so much flavor. Β I made this cheese sauce last fall and I couldn’t stop eating it.

Zesty Pumpkin Mac N' Cheese - This delicious and comforting macaroni and cheese is completely vegan and so easy to make! Great for a quick and easy weeknight dinner!

I’m trying to cut down on my chip consumption lately, because I’ve been known to eat a lot, so I decided to make the pumpkin cheese sauce and put it on some pasta instead and it does not disappoint! Β It has a spicy kick from the chili powder and a nice warm, comforting flavor from the cumin. Β It’s the perfect meal for that summer/fall transition πŸ™‚

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Zesty Pumpkin Mac N’ Cheese {Vegan}


★★★★★ 4.3 from 6 reviews
  • Author: She Likes Food
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x
  • Category: Dinner, Vegetarian, Vegan, Dairy Free
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Description

A delicious and seasonal vegan Mac n’ cheese recipe with a little bit of kick!


Ingredients

  • 1 pound pasta, your favorite kind
  • 1/2 cup cashews, soaked in water overnight or boiled for 30 minutes
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup plain, un-sweetened almond milk
  • 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions.
  2. While pasta is cooking, add all remaining ingredients to a high powered blender and blend for 1 minute, or until smooth.
  3. Once pasta is finished cooking, drain, add back to the pot and mix in the cheese sauce.
  4. Best when served immediately. Β Garnish with fresh herbs, if desired.

Notes

Feel free to add some broccoli, kale, spinach or cauliflower for some extra veggies!

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/6 of the pasta
  • Calories: 199
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 348 mg
  • Fat: 5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 32 g
  • Fiber: 5 g
  • Protein: 9 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

Zesty Pumpkin Mac N' Cheese - This delicious and comforting macaroni and cheese is completely vegan and so easy to make! Great for a quick and easy weeknight dinner!

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33 Comments

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Comments

  1. Sian Lambert says

    August 31, 2017 at 7:01 am

    I have heard of using cashews as “cheese” before, and wondered how it would work. This recipe makes a lot of sense. I’ll be trying something similar soon.

    Reply
    • She Likes Food says

      August 31, 2017 at 6:34 pm

      Once the cashews are soaked and blended they get so creamy! I hope you enjoy πŸ™‚

      Reply
  2. Peggy says

    August 31, 2017 at 2:52 pm

    Do you have a suggestion for cashew nut substitution ? We have someone allergic to tree nuts in the family. Has anyone tried with pistachios or peanuts ?

    Reply
    • She Likes Food says

      August 31, 2017 at 6:35 pm

      You could try using those nuts but it would change the flavor of the sauce a lot. I would recommend using slivered almonds (if you can) or a soft tofu. I hope that helps πŸ™‚

      Reply
      • Peggy says

        August 31, 2017 at 9:14 pm

        No almonds but I might try tofu. Thanks

        Reply
        • She Likes Food says

          September 1, 2017 at 2:18 pm

          I’d love to know how it turns out if you end up trying it πŸ™‚

          Reply
  3. Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungy says

    August 31, 2017 at 3:04 pm

    Since it’s raining today in Seattle – I’m totally fine with starting the pumpkin train recipe. Besides, this pasta looks like a hug in a bowl.

    Reply
    • She Likes Food says

      August 31, 2017 at 6:35 pm

      I wish it was raining here! Thanks so much, Nicole πŸ™‚

      Reply
  4. Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says

    September 1, 2017 at 8:13 am

    I love the idea of putting pumpkin in my pasta. What a great way to usher in fall with some amazing flavor!

    Reply
    • She Likes Food says

      September 1, 2017 at 2:18 pm

      Thanks, Karen! It’s a fun savory way to enjoy pumpkin!

      Reply
  5. Samantha says

    September 3, 2017 at 5:12 pm

    Is there any other way to do this without nuts or tofu? ????

    Reply
    • She Likes Food says

      September 4, 2017 at 1:00 pm

      Hi Samantha, the cashews are mostly there to make it thick and creamy so you could always add a little more pumpkin and nutritional yeast to thicken it up πŸ™‚

      Reply
  6. Lisa says

    September 4, 2017 at 4:34 pm

    Daw this on Connoisseur Veg today! Had everything to make it! We loved it! I’m posting a photo on Instagram! Thank you!

    Reply
    • She Likes Food says

      September 4, 2017 at 11:58 pm

      Awesome!! I’m so glad you liked it! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  7. Agness of Run Agness Run says

    September 5, 2017 at 5:44 am

    This dish combines some outstanding ingredients, Izzy! As a passionate pasta lover, I can’t wait to cook this meal!

    Reply
    • She Likes Food says

      September 5, 2017 at 6:48 pm

      Thanks so much! I’m pretty passionate about pasta too πŸ™‚

      Reply
  8. Karen G. says

    September 5, 2017 at 5:54 pm

    Is there something else I could use in place of the yeast? Unable to have it due to allergies, etc. TIA!

    Reply
    • She Likes Food says

      September 5, 2017 at 6:45 pm

      Hi Karen, unfortunately there isn’t a great sub for nutritional yeast, but it will still taste good if you just leave it out πŸ™‚

      Reply
      • Karen G. says

        September 5, 2017 at 9:45 pm

        Great! Will try it out this weekend!

        Reply
  9. Caroline says

    September 7, 2017 at 9:01 pm

    Just made this!! Soo good. It somehow turned out really salty and spicy! I added two cups of pumpkin puree. Delish

    ★★★★

    Reply
    • She Likes Food says

      September 8, 2017 at 11:04 pm

      Yah! Glad to hear you liked it! Sorry if it was a salty and spicy, but glad you liked it anyway πŸ™‚

      Reply
  10. Kate says

    September 8, 2017 at 11:18 am

    This was incredibleeeeeeeeee! and so easy! I ended up using some cajun spicing and it was perfect. Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • She Likes Food says

      September 8, 2017 at 11:03 pm

      Awesome!! I’m so glad you liked it! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  11. Tiffany Rapplean says

    September 14, 2017 at 12:32 pm

    This is easy and delicious, and my whole family loved it! We were all skeptical of calling something dairy-free “macaroni and cheese” but then we all agreed it actually DOES taste like mac and cheese. πŸ™‚ Since this contains ingredients I almost always have on hand, I’m adding this to my list of standard recipes. Thank you for sharing!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • She Likes Food says

      September 14, 2017 at 6:33 pm

      That’s awesome to hear, Tiffany! It really is creamy! So glad that your whole family liked it and that you will be making it again! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  12. Linda Ferris says

    October 22, 2017 at 6:48 pm

    HA! I just made this for dinner. My husband did not know it was vegan. He raved about it and had 3 helpings. The cashew “cheese” sauce is brilliant!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • She Likes Food says

      October 22, 2017 at 11:00 pm

      That’s hilarious! So glad you both liked it πŸ™‚

      Reply
  13. Julie says

    September 24, 2018 at 5:55 pm

    There is way too much cumin! I even used half as much as the recipe says, but all I taste is cumin πŸ™ I suggest removing it completely!

    ★★

    Reply
    • She Likes Food says

      September 26, 2018 at 6:02 pm

      Sorry there was too much cumin for your taste, I guess I just really enjoy it πŸ™‚

      Reply
  14. Lisa Reid says

    October 16, 2018 at 7:48 am

    Newly vegetarian 9 year old.
    Made this today and it is delicious.
    Made it as a pasta bake with some cheese on top.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • She Likes Food says

      October 18, 2018 at 5:05 pm

      That’s awesome!! I’m so glad you hear you enjoyed it! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  15. Dani says

    January 8, 2019 at 4:28 am

    This is amazing!! And soooo healthy. The whole family loves it!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • She Likes Food says

      January 8, 2019 at 9:33 pm

      That’s so nice to hear!! Glad everyone loved it!

      Reply

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