Description
This Easy Baked Mac and Cheese combines creamy plant-based cheese sauce with smoky turkey bacon for a warm, comforting dish. Ready in under 45 minutes, it offers classic flavors with a gentle twist, perfect for cozy dinners or gatherings. Velvety cheese, a crunchy breadcrumb topping, and subtle spices create a balanced and satisfying meal everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 1/2 cups plant-based cheese, shredded
- 2 cups plant-based milk
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon
- 2 tablespoons plant-based butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (natural)
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder (natural)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni until al dente, about 7-8 minutes according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Smoked Turkey Bacon: In a frying pan over medium heat, cook the smoked turkey bacon until crispy and golden. Remove from the pan, chop into bite-sized pieces, and set aside.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the plant-based butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 2 minutes while stirring frequently to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the plant-based milk and cook for 4-5 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the plant-based cheese, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), garlic powder (natural), and onion powder (natural) until smooth and fully combined.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Pour the cheese sauce over the drained macaroni, gently mixing until evenly coated. Fold in half of the chopped smoked turkey bacon pieces to distribute smoky flavor evenly.
- Assemble and Bake: Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture into a greased baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the breadcrumbs on top along with the remaining smoked turkey bacon pieces and a dusting of paprika. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
Notes
- Choose elbow macaroni to hold the cheese sauce well and avoid mushiness.
- Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent overcooking during baking.
- Ensure the cheese sauce is thick enough to coat pasta but not too thick to dry out.
- For extra crunch, mix breadcrumbs with melted plant-based butter before topping.
- Allow the dish to rest for a few minutes after baking to let the sauce set and enhance flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: baked mac and cheese, plant-based cheese, turkey bacon, comfort food, creamy pasta, easy dinner
