40 mins
Super easy
serves 6
Ingredients
350g dried macaroni
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 onion
1 litre unsweetened organic soya milk
100g dairy-free margarine
85g plain flour
1 heaped teaspoon English mustard
1½ tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes
optional: 50g vegan cheese (available from specialist stores)
5 cloves of garlic
�� a bunch of fresh thyme
olive oil
40g fresh breadcrumbs
Method
This cheat’s vegan mac and cheese is just like the real thing – proper comfort food.
- Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4. Cook the macaroni according to the packet instructions in a large pan of salted boiling water.
- Meanwhile, peel and halve the onion, then place in a small pan over a medium heat with the milk. Slowly bring to the boil, then remove from the heat.
- Pick out and discard the onion, then set aside. Melt the margarine in another pan over a medium heat, then add the flour, stirring continuously until it forms a paste – this is the roux.
- Gradually add the warm milk a little at a time, whisking continuously until smooth. Bring to the boil, then simmer for around 10 minutes, or until thickened.
- Stir in the mustard and nutritional yeast flakes, grate and stir in the vegan cheese (if using), then season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Drain and add the macaroni to the sauce, then toss to coat. Transfer the mixture to an ovenproof baking dish (roughly 20cm x 30cm), then set aside.
- Peel and finely slice the garlic, then pick the thyme leaves, discarding the stalks. Add to a medium pan over a medium heat with a splash of oil. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until golden, then transfer to a food processor with the breadcrumbs and a splash of oil. Blitz until combined and roughly chopped, then sprinkle over the pasta.
- Place the dish in the hot oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden and bubbling. Leave to stand for around 5 minutes, then serve with seasonal greens.
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