Pimento Mac & Cheese

pimento cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: cream cheese + pimentos

Reduced-fat cheese cuts calories while maintaining flavor.

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: sharp cheddar

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Sharp cheddar provides flavor with less fat.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil is healthier and can reduce saturated fat.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: powdered milk

Almond milk is lower in calories, powdered milk can be cheaper.

Cook elbow macaroni in boiling water until al dente; drain and set aside.

Combine crushed Ritz crackers with vegan parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and olive oil to make the topping.

In a blender, combine water, miso, fresh garlic, lemon juice, and drained pimentos; blend until smooth.

In a saucepan, melt vegan butter over medium heat.

Add flour and salt to the melted butter, mixing until crumbly and well combined.

Stir in nutritional yeast until the mixture is crumbly.

Add the pimento mixture from the blender to the saucepan and whisk until smooth and creamy; add water if it gets too thick.

Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until well coated.

Transfer the mixture to a baking pan and even out the top.

Top with the Ritz cracker mixture and bake until browned on top.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens