Creamy Macaroni, Peas & Cheese

I have two versions of this dish for you—both are delicious!!! This video is of my original version of this recipe and is called Macaroni, Greens & Cheese. Although I don't give exact proportions in the video, I do include the ingredients and most of them are the same as the updated recipe, for which you can get the printable PDF here. I have revised it slightly and renamed it Macaroni, Peas & Cheese and this is the recipe shared below.

Creamy Macaroni, Peas & Cheese

Yield: 4 servings

Author: Chef Katie Mae

Ingredients:

1 cup cashews, soaked for 1 hour
1 cup water (fresh, not the soak water)
¼ cup nutritional yeast, or more to taste
2 tablespoons rice or apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon miso or salt-free seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic granules
½ teaspoon black pepper, or more to taste
¼ teaspoon dry mustard
¼ teaspoon turmeric
8 oz gluten-free macaroni
1 cup frozen peas
1–2 tablespoons tapioca flour (optional)

Directions:

In a blender, combine the cashew, water, nutritional yeast, vinegar, miso/salt-free seasoning, garlic, black pepper, mustard, and turmeric. Blend until creamy.
Cook the pasta according to package directions. Set a timer so that you’re sure not to overcook pasta. Once the noodles are al dente, use a colander to drain the pasta, briefly rinse the pasta under cold water, and then return it to the pot or a large mixing bowl.
Add the peas to the pasta turn the heat to low. Stir in the sauce, and then one tablespoon at a time, stir in the optional tapioca flour.
Once the sauce has warmed to your liking, serve promptly, and top with black pepper to taste.

Chef's Note:

Tapioca flour, also called tapioca starch, serves as a thickener and enables the sauce to have a little elasticity. It’s not essential, but it does enhance the dish’s mouthfeel and presentation.

The mustard (added for flavor) and turmeric (added for color), can have a strong flavor that you may not like with your dish, so you can leave one or both out if you wish.

This is a rich dish, so I like to decrease the calorie density, while also adding more flavor, by serving it with steamed greens, like kale, broccoli or brussels sprouts, and fresh ripe tomatoes.

Creamy Macaroni, Peas & Cheese