Vegan Bratwurst Mac Cheese (Printable Version)

Hearty vegan bratwurst meets creamy cheese sauce for a comforting main full of plant-based flavor.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 ounces elbow macaroni or other short pasta

→ Vegan Cheese Sauce

02 - 1 cup raw cashews, soaked for 2 hours and drained
03 - 2 cups unsweetened plant-based milk, preferably soy or oat
04 - 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
05 - 2 tablespoons tapioca starch or cornstarch
06 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
07 - 1 tablespoon miso paste
08 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
09 - 1 garlic clove
10 - 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
11 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1 teaspoon salt
13 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Vegan Bratwurst

14 - 3 vegan bratwurst sausages (approx. 9 to 10 ounces total), sliced

→ Topping (optional)

15 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
16 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
17 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

# Preparation steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
02 - Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add sliced vegan bratwurst and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside.
03 - In a high-speed blender, combine soaked cashews, plant-based milk, nutritional yeast, tapioca starch, lemon juice, miso paste, Dijon mustard, garlic, turmeric, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Blend until the sauce is completely smooth.
04 - Transfer the blended sauce to a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the sauce thickens and turns glossy and stretchy, about 5 to 7 minutes.
05 - Add the drained pasta and cooked bratwurst slices to the sauce. Stir gently until evenly coated. Heat for 2 to 3 minutes until warmed through.
06 - Preheat the oven broiler if using the topping. In a small bowl, toss panko breadcrumbs with olive oil. Spread pasta mixture into an oven-safe baking dish, sprinkle topping evenly, and broil for 1 to 2 minutes until golden. Finish with parsley garnish.
07 - Portion onto plates and serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Quick comfort food that works for weeknights and gatherings
  • Dairy free and totally vegan but still tastes indulgent
  • Customizable with whatever vegan bratwurst you love
  • Classic mac and cheese feel with a smoky German twist
02 -
  • High in plant-based protein thanks to cashews and vegan sausage
  • Delivers all the comfort of classic mac with none of the dairy
  • The cheese sauce can be made ahead and stored for up to three days
  • Turmeric is my quiet hero here—the way that yellow hue captures classic mac color always makes my family smile
03 -
  • Make the sauce base a day in advance and blend again before using for extra silkiness
  • Choose robust bratwurst styles with plenty of sage or smoke

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