Legendary Mac & Cheese

Legendary Mac & Cheese

Serves 6

Plant Based / Dairy Free / Nut Free

Crispy, cheesy, creamy, savoury, wholesome and comforting, our version of this classic dish is truly legendary! It takes only about 30 minutes to prepare and will blow your mind, whether you are plant based or not!

Ingredients

500g fusilli pasta

90g plant based pastrami, ham or bacon, chopped (we use Squeaky Bean pastrami)

- Cheese Sauce -

100g organic plant based butter (we use Naturli)

80g organic plain flour

400ml warm unsweetened organic plant based milk (we use soy)

500ml boiling water

1tbsp organic vegetable stock powder

1tsp sweet paprika

1tsp chicken/bacon seasoning

60g nutritional yeast

3tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley

- Crispy Topping -

50g breadcrumbs

2tbsp melted organic plant based butter

1/2tsp organic vegetable stock powder

1/2tsp onion powder

Method

Preheat the oven at 200c.

Start by cooking the pasta in salted water, according to package instructions.

Chop the pastrami and the parsley and set them aside.

Boil the 500ml water in the kettle and warm the 400ml milk in a saucepan and set aside.

In a large, ovenproof frying pan, over medium heat, melt the butter and mix in the flour to create a roux.

Gradually pour in the boiling water and the warm milk and, using a whisk, stir for a few minutes until thickened.

Turn off the heat and mix in the rest of the cheese sauce ingredients.

Stir in the parsley, the cooked, drained pasta and the pastrami.

For the crispy topping, mix all ingredients in a small bowl, then sprinkle evenly over the mac and cheese. Transfer the pan* in the oven and cook for 15-20 minutes until crispy, bubbly and golden. Allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

The addition of the pastrami is optional, but is most definitely recommended. Another option is adding small cooked broccoli florets, mushrooms or other veggies.
*If you do not have an ovenproof frying pan, you can mix the cooked pasta and prepared cheese sauce in a separate ovenproof dish, then add the crispy topping and bake.

To make this dish gluten free, simply use gluten free pasta, flour and breadcrumbs.