Mac and Cheese is one of my favorite comfort foods. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to find vegan mac and cheese that actually tastes good, which is why I am SO excited to share this recipe with you.

Over the past year, I have tried countless Vegan Mac and Cheese recipes that all ended with bowls of (oddly textured) disappointment. Although, after many failed attempts, I have finally developed the perfect Vegan Mac and Cheese recipe that is made with simple ingredients that you can feel good about. Plus, it is naturally gluten-free and soy-free!

Vegan Mac and Cheese Recipe Breakdown

Many vegan “cheese” sauces are made with a cashew base, but that method proved to be more time consuming and obtained a less than desirable texture. This recipe uses vegetables as a base and has four main ingredients: carrots, potatoes, nutritional yeast, and unsweetened almond milk.

Carrot and potato help create a healthy base to this sauce that can be easily blended to a smooth and creamy consistency when combined with almond milk.

Nutritional yeast, is what gives this “cheese” sauce a cheesy flavor and color. I have grown to love nutritional yeast for not only the addicting flavor, but it is also full of health benefits by containing vitamins and minerals!

How to make Vegan Mac and Cheese

This recipe has three simple steps and can be made in less than 20 minutes.

1. Steam the carrots and potatoes until very soft and can be easily pierced with a fork. Once the vegetables are cooked thoroughly, you can add them to your food processor along with all of the other ingredients.

2. Blend all ingredients together until completely smooth and creamy (about 3 minutes).

3. Pour your cheese sauce into a saucepot over medium-high heat and constantly stir or whisk until the mixture thickens to desired consistency (about 5-10 minutes).

Serve warm over pasta and enjoy! I love to enjoy this vegan cheese sauce over chickpea pasta, which is naturally gluten-free and packed with protein! This recipe is easy to make, but it is even easier to eat!

If you love this recipe, be sure to check out another one of my favorite easy dinner recipes: Loaded Sweet Potatoes. Enjoy!

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Vegan Mac and Cheese

Course Main Course

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup of sliced carrot about 1 large
• 1 small/medium golden potato peeled and diced
• ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon of nutritional yeast
• 1 1/4 cups of unsweetened almond milk
• 1 ¾ teaspoons of salt
• ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• ¼ teaspoon of onion powder
• pinch of cayenne pinch of nutmeg, black pepper to taste
• 1 box desired pasta I like to use chickpea pasta

Instructions

• Steam the carrots and potatoes about 10 minutes until soft. Remove from heat when a fork can easily pierce potatoes and carrots. Allow to cool for a few minutes before adding to your food processor.
• Add all ingredients into a food processor and blend on high until very smooth.
• Heat pot over medium heat and add mixture, stirring constantly for 5-10 minutes until it begins to thicken to desired consistency
• Pour warm sauce over cooked pasta and enjoy!

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Cauliflower Rice is definitely my latest dinner addiction. I have been making this recipe almost every single day because it is just that good. Sometimes I even make a whole batch and eat the entire thing myself without feeling an ounce of guilt because it is so low in calories and low in carbs!

Cauliflower is a wonderful vegetable that makes the perfect base to take on any flavors. This recipe called for soy sauce and chives to give this rice it’s simple flavor profile, but it is so versatile. You can add whatever seasonings, spices, or sauces that you like. Check out my Lemon Roasted Asparagus recipe for another one of my favorite side dishes.

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Simple Cauliflower Rice

Cauliflower Rice is an easy, healthy, and delicious rice alternative. This recipe calls for soy sauce and chives to take this simple dish to the next level.

Course Side Dish

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 2 people

Ingredients

• 2 cups chopped cauliflower
• 2-3 tablespoons finely chopped onion
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1-2 tablespoons soy sauce
• salt and pepper to taste
• chopped chives for serving

Instructions

• Pulse cauliflower in a food processor a few times until it has reached rice consistency.
• Add the olive oil and chopped onions to a pan over medium heat. Cook for about 3 minutes and then add the cauliflower rice. 
• Stir and cook rice over medium heat for about 5-10 minutes. Add soy sauce and season with salt and pepper and stir until evenly combined. 
• Serve warm alongside your favorite dish and garnish with chives!

The post Simple Cauliflower Rice appeared first on Splurge with Ella.

Trying to balance college, friends, staying healthy, and starting my own blog can often leave little time to think about what to make for dinner. Thankfully, my best friend will eat just about anything, but after eating vegetable stir fry for two weeks straight, she finally asked if we could make something else. I wanted to make sure that our next dinner was something she would be excited about, so when I went to the store I immediately ran straight for the sweet potatoes. She loves sweet potatoes and they are also a healthy, delicious, and affordable ingredient to utilize.

With only limited time for dinner on weeknights, I wanted to make something that was quick and easy. All you need to do is slice the potatoes in half, bake them for 40 minutes, and pile on the toppings! This recipe quickly became a household favorite and earned a spot (or three) on our weekly dinner rotation.

You will be blown away at how simple and delicious these loaded sweet potatoes are, and I hope you enjoy them as much as we do! Be sure to check out this Simple Roasted Asparagus recipe for another great vegetable dish!

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Easy Loaded Sweet Potatoes

These Loaded Sweet Potatoes will be your new favorite weeknight dinner. They only require a handful of simple ingredients, and are simply delicious. This recipe will definitely be a crowd pleaser amongst all types of eaters.

Course Main Course

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes minutes

Ingredients

• 3 sweet potatoes
• 1 can black beans rinsed and drained
• 1 green bell pepper diced
• 1/4 of a large white onion diced
• olive oil
• salt and pepper
• grated white sharp cheddar cheese (vegan if desired)

optional

• A small jalapeño pepper, avocado, any other desired toppings

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a tray with parchment paper.
• Wash potatoes and cut into halves. Brush both sides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place them on the tray cut side down and bake for 35-40 minutes or until a fork easily goes through. 
• While potatoes are roasting, sauté peppers (add jalapeño if desired) and onions with a tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Once potatoes are cooked, flip them over and push down the centers with a fork to flatten. Top with desired amount of black beans and cheese and bake again for about 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
• 
  Top with the peppers and onions and any other desired toppings (avocado, guac, hummus, etc.)

The post Easy Loaded Sweet Potatoes appeared first on Splurge with Ella.

Asparagus is one of my favorite vegetables, and I have made this recipe countless times. Sometimes I will even make a whole tray just for a snack! This recipe is extremely simple but so delicious. The addition of lemon to this recipe adds a wonderful brightness and flavor that will always have you reaching for seconds.

Be sure to check out this Simple Cauliflower Rice recipe for another great side dish!

Why this recipe works

Roasting vegetables can be an amazing way to highlight flavors and obtain the perfect texture. Although, it is so important not to leave your veggies roasting for too long. This asparagus is roasted at high heat for a short amount of time. This method helps to create a tender, but a crisp bite to this asparagus.

Adding a few thin slices of lemon to the top of your asparagus before it goes in the oven helps to elevate the lemon flavor while roasting. If you want to take this asparagus to the next level, try adding freshly grated parmesan cheese to the dish right before or after it comes out of the oven!

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Simple Lemon Roasted Asparagus

Healthy, fresh, and perfectly tender asparagus. This easy recipe is made with five simple ingredients that result in amazing asparagus every time.

Course Side Dish

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb asparagus spears (I prefer a medium-thick spears)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• a squeeze fresh lemon
• salt and pepper to taste
• 3-4 lemon slices (optional while roasting)
• grated parmeasan cheese (optional for serving)

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 415 degrees and line a baking pan with parchment paper.
• Trim the ends off of the asparagus and spread evenly onto the pan. Brush with a light coating of olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Evenly lay on optional lemon slices for extra lemon flavor.
• Bake in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until tender but still crisp. Top with optional grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy!

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