I saw a box of some ultra trashy cheeseburger mac at the grocery store and I got a mega childhood driven craving for something like it- but ya know, vegan and healthier! Still fresh off my inspiration from the Lentil-a-roni from Isa Does It, I figured I could just sub in some lentils for the burger part and make a nutritional yeast cheesy sauce. Done! Junk food craving full satisfied and my body was beyond happy with me for making it so healthy. You could add in some chopped greens at the end to make it even healthier (or serve it with some on the side!)
Alright, less talk and more food!
makes 4-6 servings
- 1 cup dry brown/green lentils
- 2 & 1/4 cup water
- 1 large sweet onion, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dry thyme
- 2 cups unsweetened soy or almond milk
- 2/3 cup nutritional yeast
- 1/2 cup tapioca starch (or you can use cornstarch or arrowroot)
- 1 & 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 Tablespoons miso
- 16oz whole wheat pasta (or whatever kind you like)
- 2 cups chopped fresh tomato
- black pepper to taste
Bring the water to a boil in a small pot and add in the lentils. Turn the heat to low, cover with a lid and simmer until fully cooked (about 35-40 minutes.) Once fully cooked smash up the lentils with a potato masher or a fork until mostly broken up but not pureed. You want it to still have texture.
Bring a bot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions. Once cooked drained and set aside.
While the pasta is cooking sauté the minced onion in a large nonstick pan over medium heat until translucent (add water if necessary to prevent sticking.) Add in the garlic and thyme. Cook for another minute or so. Stir in the smashed lentils.
Now add in all of the remaining ingredients (except the pasta) and whisk to combine. Turn the heat up and bring to a simmer to thicken the sauce. Once the sauce it thickened stir in the pasta. This would be a good time to stir in a few handfuls of chopped spinach or other greens if you desire. Add salt and pepper to taste before serving. (Oh and its good with some hot sauce on top too if that’s your thing!)