Macaroni ‘Cheese’ & Cauliflower Bake (high-protein)
Have we got the ultimate protein-packed comfort food for you?! The staff at Viva! HQ said it was the nicest mac and cheese they’d ever eaten and it’s got six different protein sources to boot – win, win.
Nutritional information based on using soya milk and doesn’t include vegan cheese.
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Preparation time
10 min
Cook time
30 min
Total time
40
Cuisine
British
Meal
- mains
Servings
4
Kcal
791
Carbs
98 g
Protein
39 g
Fat
24 g
* Nutritional information per serving.
Ingredients
- 300g/10.5 oz dried macaroni (use gluten-free if needed)
- 300g/10.5 oz cauliflower (or broccoli if you prefer), broken into florets
- 250g/8.8 oz frozen peas
- 450g/15.8 oz silken tofu
- 150ml/⅔ cup unsweetened plant milk (soya contains the highest protein)
- 150g/1 cup unsalted cashews
- 3 tsp white miso paste
- ¾ tsp cayenne pepper
- 3 tsp English or Dijon mustard
- 6 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- ¾ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 150g/5.2 oz vegan cheese, grated (optional – leave out this ingredient if reducing fat)
- 100g/3.5 oz breadcrumbs (we like panko – use gluten-free if needed)
- Handful of fresh thyme leaves or dried mixed Italian herbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C/390°F/Gas Mark 6.
- Add the macaroni to a large saucepan with salted boiling water and bring to the boil.
- After 4 minutes, add the cauliflower and peas and simmer on medium for a further 6 minutes.
- Check the macaroni and cauliflower is thoroughly cooked to your desired consistency before draining and setting aside (make sure the cauliflower isn’t mushy).
- Using a high-speed blender, blitz the tofu, plant milk, cashews, miso, cayenne pepper, mustard, nutritional yeast, garlic, salt and pepper until smooth.
- Pour the macaroni/cauliflower/peas into a large wide gratin dish, evenly spaced.
- Pour over the sauce ensuring all the veggies are covered.
- Sprinkle over the vegan cheese (if using), the breadcrumbs and the thyme leaves followed by a drizzle of olive oil (optional).
- Place in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the breadcrumbs are golden.
Serving suggestions: coleslaw, crusty bread, fresh salad, garlic bread, roasted cherry tomatoes, steamed or roasted vegetables, tomato salad
Keywords
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