#Butternut squash cashew mac and cheese how to#
#Butternut squash cashew mac and cheese free#

Stale Bread – You can choose to use regular or gluten free bread.It’s also made up of just 4 main ingredients: Personally, I believe it’s what makes baked mac and cheese so special, so it’s piled on to create a thick crunchy crust. It creates the perfect crispy and flavorful crust on top, which is much needed against the ultra creamy and tender mac and cheese underneath.Īnd I did not skimp on the breadcrumbs for this recipe. I cannot wait for you the experience the satisfying crunch sound these breadcrumbs make when you dig straight into this freshly baked butternut squash mac and cheese. Refrain from eating the sauce straight with a spoon, because it is VERY tempting. These ingredients are all blended together in a high speed blender until super smooth. You can choose to use any milk alternative, but I like almond milk the best! Almond milk adds creaminess while the starch in the pasta water helps to thicken the sauce once baked. Milk & Pasta Water – To thin out the sauce to make it…well…a sauce…almond milk and pasta water are added.It’s also naturally gluten free! But it doesn’t add enough saltiness, so a bit of kosher salt helps to round out this dairy free cheese sauce. Coconut aminos are very similar to soy sauce, but has a smoother and slightly sweet flavor. That’s why I love using both coconut aminos and salt as they add two different layers of saltiness to this sauce. Salt & Coconut Aminos – Of course cheese HAS to be salty, but not too salty.White wine vinegar has a slight sweetness that pairs well with the butternut squash, and the dijon adds a mellow sharpness that’s similar to the tanginess of real cheese. They both have a unique flavor that’s well-rounded compared to standard vinegar or yellow mustard. In this recipe I’m using white wine vinegar and dijon mustard. Vinegar & Mustard – Cheese has a mellow tanginess, which is what makes it SO good in contrast to its rich creamy consistency.It also makes up a majority of the sauce, and once blended it adds so much creamy thickness to the sauce. Butternut Squash – Of course, it wouldn’t be butternut squash mac and cheese without the butternut squash! The squash is roasted while the rest of the ingredients are prepped.I always find that you can never over do it with this stuff! That’s why this recipe calls for 1/2 cup of this delicious cheesy ingredient. Nutritional yeast has an umami flavor very similar to cheese, which is why I don’t skimp when cooking with it. Nutritional Yeast – This is another dairy free cheese staple.This helps soften the cashews so they blend seamlessly into the sauce. The key is to soak the cashews in water overnight before blending. Their mild flavor but rich texture can turn any sauce into a thick and lush consistency. Cashews – Cashews are my go-to when creating super creamy and cheese-like sauces.This “cheese” sauce is so rich, creamy, and flavorful that you would never even guess it’s dairy free. This mac and cheese is DAIRY FREE but you would honestly never tell or even miss the actual cheese.

#Butternut squash cashew mac and cheese how to#

How to make dairy free butternut squash cheese sauce It’s the perfect pairing to the rich and creamy mac and cheese underneath. The bacon grease helps crisp up the breadcrumbs once baked, so they’re insanely crunchy fresh from the oven. Toasted bread is finely ground with fresh herbs, crispy bacon, and bacon grease to give it a delicious flavor. Paired with the right amount of spices and flavors, including smoked paprika, nutmeg, and dijon mustard, the dairy free cheesy sauce is bursting with flavor that’s both smooth and savory with a hint of tangy sweetness.īut what takes this butternut squash mac and cheese over the edge is the pile of crispy bacon breadcrumbs on top. The squash creates a warm and inviting dish that’s perfect to make during the chilly fall and winter months. It adds a rich creaminess that adds an extra depth of flavor. Mac and cheese is the best comfort food, but the butternut squash takes it to a whole other level. This butternut squash mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food