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Zesty Smoked Mac N Cheese

Author: DD Brown
Super quick and creamy mac 'n' cheese that will have even the pickiest of kiddos saying "more please".
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Bowls, Main Course, Pastas
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 388.14 kcal

Equipment

  • Blender
  • Small Saucepan
  • Large Saucepan

Ingredients
  

  • 2/3 cup raw cashews help save time by using pre-soaked cashews
  • 2 cups pasta shells lentil or chickpea pasta for even healthier options
  • 1/4 cup loosely packed sun-dried tomatoes no need to boil if using sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil/
  • 1/4 cup tapioca flour
  • 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 6 basil leaves
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes

Instructions
 

  • Add 8 cups of water to large saucepan, 3 cups of water to small saucepan and place both over high heat. Add Cashews to small saucepan and boil until softened for 10 minutes.
  • Once water is boiling in large saucepan, add the pasta shells, 1/16 tsp salt and boil according to the package instructions. Shortly passed al dente remove from heat and drain.
  • Add the sun-dried tomatoes to the boiling cashews with 2 minutes left. Once the final 2 minutes are up, drain and reserve the water.
  • Place 2 cups of the reserved water along with the cashew and sun-dried tomato mixture into high-powered blender. Add the yeast, flour, garlic, salt, basil, paprika and red pepper flakes and blend on high for about 2 minutes, until creamy or desired smoothness.
  • Place the pasta pan over medium-high heat. Pour the cheese mixture from blender into pan and stir for 2 minutes making sure to get all the sides and continue stirring until the sauce begins to thicken.
  • Pour pasta into cheese sauce mixture and continue stirring for another 2 minutes until desired thickness. Serve immediately adding in Sea Salt and Pepper to taste.

Nutrition with Essential Amino Acids

Nutrition Facts
Zesty Smoked Mac N Cheese
Amount Per Serving (1 g)
Calories 388.14 Calories from Fat 85
% Daily Value*
Fat 9.47g15%
Saturated Fat 1.81g11%
Sodium 751.64mg33%
Potassium 491.67mg14%
Carbohydrates 63.45g21%
Fiber 4.67g19%
Sugar 2.27g3%
Protein 12.6g25%
Vitamin A 448.99IU9%
Vitamin B1 5.33mg355%
Vitamin B2 5.58mg328%
Vitamin B3 30.42mg152%
Vitamin B5 0.24mg2%
Vitamin B6 5.94mg297%
Vitamin C 3.28mg4%
Vitamin E 0.2mg1%
Vitamin K 40.16µg38%
Calcium 30.44mg3%
Copper 0.45mg23%
Folate 11.86µg3%
Iron 3.45mg19%
Manganese 0.46mg23%
Magnesium 60.67mg15%
Phosphorus 117.59mg12%
Selenium 3.72µg5%
Zinc 1.1mg7%
Ess-Arginine 374.79mg
Ess-Histidine 87.38mg
Ess-Isoleucine 151.19mg
Ess-Leucine 277.97mg
Ess-Lysine 180.99mg
Ess-Methionine 67.27mg
Ess-Phenylalanine 181.19mg
Ess-Threonine 134.98mg
Ess-Tryptophan 54.52mg
Ess-Valine 204.65mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.