My Favorite Vegan Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup (about 3 ounces) raw cashews, soaked in water for at least 2 hours (and up to 8), drained
  
• 1/2 cup cooked cannellini, great white northern, or navy beans
  
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  
• 2 tablespoons white miso
  
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
  
• 1 small clove garlic, crushed
  
• 1 dash cayenne pepper
  
• 1/2 cup water
  
• 12 ounces elbow pasta or mini shells (whole wheat, gluten-free, and regular pasta are all fine)
  
• 1 cup cooked green vegetables, such as chopped broccoli or cauliflower florets, blanched peas or chopped asparagus spears, or steamed spinach (optional)
  
• Salt, to taste
  

Directions

1. Place the cashews, beans, lemon juice, paprika, turmeric, miso, nutritional yeast, garlic, cayenne, and water into a blender or a food processor and blend/process until totally smooth. Set the sauce aside.
2. Bring a pot of salted water to boil and add the pasta. Cook the pasta according to package instructions, till it's to your liking.
3. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Add the sauce and fold everything together gently, until the pasta dish is creamy and evenly coated. Adjust seasoning to taste. You may not need to use all of the sauce: If you have some leftover, use it as a dip or as dressing for a grain bowl.