Vegan butternut mac and "cheese"

Who could use a little extra cozy comfort right now—the kind that fills you up without dragging you down? Maybe that would be better phrased, ‘who couldn’t use some of that kind of goodness’. With the tumult of the world, everyone deserves a an extra snuggly blanket or two. Dishes like this one don’t hurt, either. Creamy, cozy, and deliciously nutritious, this vegan mac-n-"cheese" is perfect winter brightness. Turmeric adds extra golden warmth and an earthy complement to sweet, rich roasted butternut squash in a delectable plant-based sauce. It’s not replicating the meltaway nostalgia of mac-n-cheese in a box, but better, delicious nourishment with those mac-n-cheese feels.

I’ve been feeling a swell of mixed emotions lately. Part hormones, probably, but mostly my head’s been bouncing all over the place, and it has led to a longing for hygge. Isn’t that a lovely, huggable word? You probably know this already, but just in case, it’s a Norwegian term that captures a mood of coziness and comfort. I’m sure for the Danish it encapsulates much more, but even from this simplistic understanding, hygge sure feels good. So warm and soft.

Do you know who has the hang of hygge, inside and out? Dogs. As I write this, my sweet senior dog is curled up as cozy as can be. He’s edging close to 16 years now. According to the approximations when he was rescued, at least. No matter what, he would be quite the old gramps in human years, and it’s starting to show. Increasingly, he has tummy bouts, stiff joints, and just plain tired days. Seeing him decline, I feel pained, anxious wells of sorrow, but also a sort of wistfulness, in a weird morose way. Even on days when things seem amiss, it’s clear our loyal fur baby will give his all to protect us, his pack, to the very last breath. For every plaintive whimper, such as when he needs a boost up the stairs, there is a comfortable purr. Like right now, as he snuggles up in his cushion-like ball against my side. Would that I could only trust myself to have such unwavering purpose, appreciation, and ability to tap into hygge wherever it can be found.

But getting back to the mac-n-cheese. Speaking of aching joints, these “cheezy” noodles come with powerful health benefits to help them (yours, not the dogs’ ;) ). Containing the bioactive compound curcumin, Turmeric is a staple in Ayurvedic medicine, revered for thousands of years for its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory process. Today an ever-growing body of evidence supports the use of Turmeric to help alleviate arthritis, support the heart, liver, and healthy blood sugar levels, and even ease depression. That’s a whole host of goodness to sink your teeth into!

Enjoy this comfort dish straight from the skillet, or baked in the oven topped with breadcrumbs.

Happy hygge-hunting! xo

Butternut mac-n-cheez

Yield: 6-8

Author: Wendy McMillan

Prep time: 20 MinCook time: 1 H & 15 MInactive time: 1 HourTotal time: 2 H & 35 M

Ingredients

1 medium butternut squash
3 cloves garlic in skin
10-12 ounces macaroni or other pasta of choice
1 cup vegetable broth
1 cup plant milk of choice
1/2 cup raw cashews
1 tsp. ground turmeric
1 tsp. smoked paprika
⅓ Cup nutritional yeast
Sea salt and fresh black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Optional topping, if baking

½ cup panko or breadcrumbs
1 – 2 tablespoons olive oil

Nutrition Facts

Calories

327

Fat

5.84 g

Sat. Fat

1.04 g

Carbs

59.72 g

Fiber

5.77 g

Net carbs

53.95 g

Sugar

5.67 g

Protein

11.52 g

Sodium

199.02 mg

Cholesterol

0 mg