Vegan Thai Mac n Cheese
Description
Broccoli and macaroni are topped with a sunflower seed-based curry sauce it this Thai-inspired vegan macaroni and cheese healthy dinner.
Ingredients
•
1 1/2 cups sunflower seeds
•
2 (14 ounce) cans coconut milk, divided
•
1/2 cup red curry paste, or more to taste, divided
•
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, or more to taste, divided
•
2 limes, juiced, divided
•
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for seasoning
•
1 (8 ounce) package elbow macaroni
•
1 (8 ounce) package broccoli florets
•
1 pinch curry powder, or more to taste
•
3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
•
1 teaspoon white sugar
Directions
1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2
Place sunflower seeds in a bowl and pour in enough water to cover; soak for about 10 minutes.
3
Mix 1 1/2 cans coconut milk, 1/4 cup curry paste, 1/4 cup cilantro, juice of 1 lime, and 1/2 teaspoon salt together in a saucepan; cook and stir over medium-low heat until curry sauce is thickened, about 5 minutes.
4
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain and mix pasta into curry sauce; cook and stir over low heat.
5
Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add broccoli, cover, and steam until tender, about 2 minutes. Season broccoli with salt and curry powder and transfer to a 9x13-inch baking dish.
6
Drain sunflower seeds and place in a blender with remaining coconut cream, remaining curry paste, remaining cilantro, juice of 1 lime, nutritional yeast, and sugar; blend until thick and smooth.
7
Spoon pasta mixture over broccoli. Pour sunflower seed mixture over pasta and stir to coat evenly.
8
Bake in the preheated oven until sauce is bubbling, about 10 minutes.