Name: Black Pepper Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 16 min
Cook time: 38 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2.25 cups water; 1 null medium potato (about 1 cup or use 0.75 cup mashed potatoes); 0.33 cup chopped carrots; 4 null garlic cloves (or 1 tsp garlic powder); 2 tbsp chopped onion (or use 0.5 tsp onion powder); 0.5 null green chili (optional); 0.5 null medium tomato (chopped); 0.75 tsp prepared mustard; 2 tsp soy sauce (or liquid aminos); 3.5 tbsp nutritional yeast; 2.5 tsp lemon juice; 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (omit to make oil free); 0.33 tsp paprika; 0.5 tsp sriracha (optional); 0.75 tsp salt (or more); 0.25 tsp white pepper; 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper (divided (0.5 tsp for sauce)); 2 tbsp cashews (optional, for creamier sauce); 7 oz elbows pasta (cooked to preference); 1 cup broccoli chopped small; 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper (divided (0.5 tsp for serving))

Instructions

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1

In a skillet, combine water (2.25 cups), potato (1 medium), chopped carrots (0.33 cup), cloves (4 garlic), chopped onion (2 tbsp), chili (0.5 green), and tomato (0.5 medium). Cover and cook over medium-high heat for 17-19 minutes until potatoes are very tender. (Optionally, add cashews (2 tbsp) for a creamier sauce). Cool slightly.
2

Meanwhile, cook the elbows pasta (7 oz) to al dente according to package directions.
3

Transfer the cooked potato carrot mixture to a blender with the remaining sauce ingredients: prepared mustard (0.75 tsp), soy sauce (2 tsp), nutritional yeast (3.5 tbsp), lemon juice (2.5 tsp), extra virgin olive oil (2 tbsp), paprika (0.33 tsp), sriracha (0.5 tsp), salt (0.75 tsp), white pepper (0.25 tsp), and freshly ground black pepper (0.5 tsp). Blend until completely smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
4

Return the blended sauce to the skillet over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally until it thickens slightly.
5

Add the cooked elbows pasta (7 oz) and broccoli chopped small (1 cup) to the sauce. Mix well, cover, and cook for 3-4 minutes until the sauce boils and further thickens, and broccoli is tender-crisp.
6

Remove from heat and let it sit for 5 minutes. Stir in the remaining freshly ground black pepper (0.5 tsp). Serve warm, with extra pepper if desired.