Isolation Eats: David Lee's plant-based mac and cheese

Carbs might be the only currency we know right now, but you don't have to use dairy to make this comfort food classic. David Lee walks us through a satisfying plant-based mac and cheese recipe.

Published: Tuesday 14th April 2020

Serves 2

Preparation time 30 minutes

Cooking time 15 minutes

In our new series, Isolation Eats, we ask chefs and bartenders around the city what they're making and shaking in quarantine. David Lee (Planta) shows us how to make a comforting classic without using any dairy – simply whizz up almond flour and yeast to make the sauce.

"Mac n' cheese is the epitome of comfort food. I love making this plant-based spin on a beloved classic." – David Lee.  

Ingredients

  • 3 cups plant-based milk of choice
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ½ cup flour
  • Plant-based cheese
  • 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • ¼ cup almond flour
  • 2 cups pasta shells
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Method

  1. Preheat the oven at 400 F.
  2. Start boiling a large pot of salted water for the pasta. When water has boiled add pasta and cook.
  3. Pour plant-based milk into a medium sized saucepan and bring to a boil.
  4. In a small bowl, combine olive oil and flour, whisk together.
  5. Using a spice grinder or food processor, combine almond flour and nutritional yeast to make a plant-based parmesan cheese.
  6. When the plant-based milk has come to a boil, turn down the heat and add the olive oil and flour mixture. Mix together on a gentle heat, making sure the flour doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot. Add a couple pinches of salt to taste.
  7. When the pasta has cooked drain the water.
  8. Add the pasta to the sauce and stir on medium-high heat.
  9. Add the plant-based cheese to the pasta and sauce. Mix in to melt the cheese. Cook the pasta on a gentle heat for 2-3 minutes.
  10. Transfer about two-thirds of the mac and cheese into an oven-safe casserole dish. Add a layer of plant-based cheese, plant-based parmesan and fresh pepper. Add the remaining mac and cheese for a second layer. Add another layer of cheese, parmesan and pepper.
  11. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes at 400 F or until golden brown.
  12. Remove the mac and cheese from the oven and let sit for a few minutes before serving
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