Craving cheesy, spicy comfort food without the dairy? This Buffalo Broccoli Mac n' Cheese hits the spot. Chef Ryan's plant-based take is rich, tangy, and satisfying—with zero cholesterol and way less saturated fat than the traditional version. It's everything you love about mac n' cheese, made with real, whole-food ingredients.

🎥 Watch and cook along with Chef Ryan in the video below!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This dish skips the dairy but delivers full flavor and creamy texture, thanks to cashews and bold seasoning. It's:

✅ Completely plant-based and cholesterol-free

✅ Lower in saturated fat

✅ Full of fiber and nutrients from broccoli, onions, and potatoes

✅ Comforting, filling, and crave-worthy

Ingredients

For the sauce:

• 1 small onion, thinly sliced

• 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

• 1 medium russet potato, peeled and chopped

• 1/2 cup raw cashews

• 1/2 roasted red pepper, peeled and seeded

• 1 tablespoon adobo sauce (from chipotles in adobo)

• 1/4 cup hot sauce

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

• 1 tablespoon pickle brine

• Unsweetened almond milk (just enough to blend smoothly)

• Salt to taste

For the mac:

• 8 ounces brown rice pasta (or pasta of choice)

• 1 cup finely chopped broccoli tops

• Fresh parsley, chives, or scallions for garnish

Instructions

1. Start the sauce base

In a pot, combine onion, garlic, chopped russet potato, cashews, and a splash of water. Simmer until the vegetables begin to soften.

2. Roast and prep the red pepper

Roast a red pepper over an open flame until charred, then peel and remove seeds. Tear into chunks and set aside.

3. Blend the sauce

Transfer the cooked ingredients to a blender. Add roasted red pepper, adobo sauce, hot sauce, smoked paprika, pickle brine, almond milk (just enough to help it blend), and a pinch of salt. Blend until smooth and creamy.

4. Cook the pasta

While the sauce simmers, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and return to pot.

5. Add broccoli

Finely chop the broccoli tops and stir into the warm pasta. The residual heat will gently cook them, adding great texture.

6. Combine and finish

Pour sauce over pasta and broccoli. Stir to coat evenly. Return to the stove briefly to let everything come together. Finish with fresh herbs, a dash of smoked paprika, and an extra drizzle of hot sauce if desired.

Try More Plant-Based Pasta Options

Not in the mood to cook? Check out this week’s chef-prepared pasta dishes on our A La Carte menu. Our plant-based meals rotate weekly, so there’s always something new and nourishing to try.

👉 View This Week's A La Carte Menu

We deliver up to 75 miles from our Rochester kitchen! Order by Thursday for Sunday pickup or delivery.