Healthy Mac n Cheeze

What!?!  Healthy and Mac n Cheese in the same sentence?  That doesn't seem right!  Well, this dairy free version of Mac n Cheeze actually is healthy!  And, it is so nice and creamy.  It turns out better than other recipes I have used with real cheese.  My toddler son actually significantly prefers it to the real cheese version.  It is easy and definitely worth a try...you will love it!

Ingredients:

1 box (14 oz) Macaroni noodles, preferably whole grain, cooked according to package directions

4 cups water, divided

1 cup cashews

1/2 cup oil

1/2 cup pimento peppers (or you can use roasted red peppers in a can, or I have even used raw red peppers)

1/4 cup nutritional yeast flakes

3 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice

1/2 Tbsp salt

2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350.  Lightly coat a 9 x 13-inch pan with non-stick spray.

Blend 2 cups water and nuts in a blender until very smooth and creamy (this can take several minutes, depending on your blender)

Add remaining ingredients (don't forget the additional 2 cups of water!), except pasta to the blender; blend until smooth and creamy.

Place cooked pasta in the baking dish.  Top with cheese mixture and stir to evenly coat the pasta.

Bake for 45 minutes.

Serving option: You can add chopped broccoli to the macaroni to "disguise" some veggies for the family.  Serve with green beans for a complete and tasty meal.

Recipe taken from: Give Them Something Better by Sarah Frain & Stephanie Howard