Vegan Macaroni and Cheese

• 1 1/2 cups butternut squash, peeled and chopped into cubes
• 1/2 large sweet onion, peeled and chopped
• 16 oz package small macaroni noodles, cooked according to package directions
• 1/4 cup reserved cooking liquid from noodles
• 1/4 cup raw cashews, soaked for 30 minutes (if you don't have time to soak, don't sweat it!)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/8 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/8 tsp tumeric
• 1/8 tsp nutmeg

Instructions

1. Add butternut squash and onions to a pot and cover with water by at least an inch or two. Bring to a boil, turn down heat to medium and simmer until vegetables are tender.
2. Meanwhile, cook macaroni noodles according to package directions. Reserve 1/4 cup cooking liquid once noodles are done cooking and before draining. Place noodles back in pot and set aside.
3. When squash and onions are tender, drain, and add them to a high speed blender with the cashews, lemon juice, salt, dijon, garlic powder, black pepper, smoked paprika, turmeric, nutmeg and reserved macaroni cooking liquid. Blend until completely smooth. Use a tamper if necessary to push ingredients to the bottom of the blender.
4. Add butternut squash sauce to the macaroni noodles and stir, making sure every noodle is covered in sauce. Warm through if needed.
5. Dig in!

Vegan Macaroni and Cheese