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Vegan Baked Mac and Cheese (Gluten-Free)

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Vegan Baked Mac and Cheese

This vegan baked mac and cheese recipe is made with a dairy-free “cheese” sauce and topped with a delicious panko breadcrumb topping that is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.

MMM, mac and cheese is one of my favorite comfort meals. Even though this isn’t the classic Kraft mac and cheese dish you might have had growing up, it sure is healthier and tastes even better! If you’re searching for last-minute dinner inspiration, this vegan mac and cheese dish is a perfect option.

MAIN Ingredients Needed TO MAKE This Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

  • Macaroni – Make sure to get 12 ounces. If you’re following this vegan recipe, use gluten-free noodles.

  • For the “Cheese” Sauce – you’ll need to grab a whole bunch of different ingredients to create a “cheese-like” sauce:
    • Olive oil
    • Yellow Onion
    • Russet Potatoes – make sure you peel and chop them!
    • Carrots
    • Garlic Cloves
    • Onion Powder
    • Vegetable Broth
    • Milk (non-dairy) – Use any plant based milk variety of your choice.
    • Nutritional Yeast (see tips) – This is an amazing ingredient for adding a cheesy flavor to the sauce!
    • Dijon Mustard
    • Lemon Juice
  • Breadcrumbs – My usual go-to is Panko breadcrumbs.

TIPS ON MAKING Vegan Baked Mac and Cheese

  • If you are not dairy-free, you can sub ½ cup of cheddar cheese (or any cheese you’d like) in place of nutritional yeast for a lightened up/veggie-packed mac & cheese. If using cheese, do not incorporate in the blender, instead add it into a pot with the sauce over low heat until the cheese melts, turn off the heat and add in your cooked pasta.
Vegan Baked Mac and Cheese (Gluten-Free)
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Vegan Baked Mac and Cheese (Gluten-Free)

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Samantha Course: MainCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Medium
Servings

6

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

45

minutes
Calories

300

kcal
Total time

1

hour 

This vegan baked mac and cheese recipe is made with a dairy-free “cheese” sauce and topped with a delicious panko breadcrumb topping that is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

  • 12 Ounces Macaroni, I used gluten-free

  • For the “cheese” sauce:

  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

  • 1 Cup Yellow Onion, diced

  • 1 Cup Russet Potatoes, peeled & chopped

  • 1 Cup Carrots, chopped

  • 3 Cloves of Garlic, minced

  • 1 Teaspoon Salt

  • ½ Teaspoon Garlic Powder

  • ½ Teaspoon Onion Powder

  • ½ Cup Vegetable Broth

  • ½ Cup Non-Dairy Milk

  • ½ Cup Nutritional Yeast, see Notes

  • 1 Teaspoon Dijon Mustard

  • 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice (about ½ lemon)

  • For the breadcrumb topping:

  • 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs, I used gluten-free

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 400° Fahrenheit and cook macaroni in a pot of salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat, add in the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
  • Add in the potatoes, carrots, garlic, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder – cook for another 2-3 minutes.
  • Now add in the vegetable broth, cover with a lid, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook for about 10 minutes or until the vegetables are soft.
  • Once cooked, remove from the heat and let cool for 10-15 minutes before transferring to a blender along with the dairy-free milk, nutritional yeast, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice. Blend everything until completely smooth.
  • Toss vegan “cheese” sauce with pasta then transfer to a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  • Mix together breadcrumbs and olive oil in a bowl then sprinkle over top of pasta and bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.

Recipe Video

Notes

  • Nutritional Yeast: If you are not dairy-free, you can sub ½ cup of cheddar cheese (or any cheese you’d like) in place of nutritional yeast for a lightened up/veggie-packed mac & cheese. If using cheese, do not incorporate in the blender, instead add it into a pot with the sauce over low heat until the cheese melts, turn off the heat and add in your cooked pasta.

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30 Minutes or Less

Swiss Chard Salad (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

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swiss chard salad on a plate with a fork and sunflower seeds on the side

This Swiss chard salad is light, fresh, and crunchy! It’s loaded with healthy vegetables and dressed with a simple red wine and dijon vinaigrette.

swiss chard salad on a plate with a fork and sunflower seeds on the side

Why Swiss Chard?

Swiss chard is a nutritional POWERHOUSE! It’s jam-packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. But before I really get into how healthy this Swiss chard salad is for you, let’s first talk about its taste. Swiss chard is sort of a cross between kale and spinach. It’s not quite as tough as kale, but also not as light as spinach. Swiss chard is most commonly cooked or sautéed to help break down its hearty texture. Though, like any raw fruit or vegetable, when you cook Swiss chard, you lose much of its nutritional benefits.

Admittedly, Swiss chard can be tough to chew when raw. HOWEVER, the method in the Swiss chard salad recipe below provides this veggie with the right ingredients and steps to break down on its own – without any exposure to heat. I don’t know about you, but to me, that’s a total win WIN. Swiss chard is a warm-weather vegetable, peaking from early spring to late fall. Unlike other lettuces, it can withstand hotter temperatures making it the last-man-standing during brutal July/August heatwaves. My parents have harvested a large amount of this hearty green vegetable over the last few months. And aside from its health benefits, that was one of the main reasons why I came up with this easy salad recipe!

Ok now back to the nutritional benefits! Swiss chard is full of:

  • Calcium (builds strong bones and teeth)
  • Vitamin C (aids in growth, development, and repair of all body tissues)
  • Iron (gives you energy and is vital to growth and development)
  • Vitamin E (big time antioxidant and protects body against free radicals)
  • Magnesium (supports a healthy immune system and muscle function)
  • Potassium (maintains heartbeat and a healthy blood pressure)
  • Vitamin A (great for skin health and cell growth!)
  • Folate (helps convert carbs into energy)
  • Vitamin K (positively contributes to bone, cognitive, and heart health)
  • Fiber (regulates hunger and blood sugar)

What You Need To Make Swiss Chard Salad

Sunflower Seeds – The sunflower seeds give this easy vegan salad recipe an irresistible crunch! Raw, cooked, unsalted, or salted will all taste equally as delicious in this dish – so use whichever kind you’d like. I went with roasted and salted sunflower seeds and they tasted incredible. This easy-to-find seed acts as a healthier crouton in this Swiss chard salad recipe. However, if you don’t have sunflower seeds, feel free to use any kind of seed or nut you’d like!

Red Wine Vinegar – The acidity in this vinegar is what helps to break down the fibers in swiss chard, therefore making it easier to eat and digest. Red wine vinegar is delightfully tangy, a little fruity, and has just a touch of sweetness. Additionally, I should probably mention just a few of the health benefits of red wine vinegarl. Red wine vinegar has been proven to lower blood pressure and blood sugar, as well as cholesterol. Therefore, as if the swiss chard wasn’t enough, this dressing addition makes this salad even healthier!

Swiss Chard Salad (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
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Swiss Chard Salad (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Samantha Russo Course: SidesDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Chilling Time

15

minutes
Total time

20

minutes

This Swiss chard salad is light, fresh, and crunchy! It’s loaded with healthy vegetables and dressed with a simple red wine and dijon vinaigrette.

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch Swiss chard, chopped

  • 1/2 cucumber, sliced

  • 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced

  • 4-5 radishes

  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds, see Notes

  • For the vinaigrette:

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, see Notes

  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey

  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

  • Mix all vinaigrette ingredients together in a large bowl then add in the vegetables and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes before serving.

Recipe Video

Notes

  • Sunflower Seeds: Feel free to use whatever kind of seed or nut you’d like in place of the sunflower seeds in this recipe! Pumpkin seeds, chopped walnuts, or sliced almonds would also make great additions.
  • Red Wine Vinegar: If you don’t have red wine vinegar, you can use white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or balsamic vinegar instead.

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30 Minutes or Less

Strawberry Spinach Salad

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overhead image of strawberry spinach salad on a plate with a fork

This strawberry spinach salad is both light and satisfying! Sweet strawberries, hearty farro, fresh mint, and healthy spinach are tossed together in a simple honey balsamic vinaigrette. Enjoy this strawberry spinach salad as a quick and nutritious lunch or serve it alongside your favorite protein for a well-rounded lunch!

overhead image of strawberry spinach salad on a plate with a fork

I am SO here for strawberry season! I’ve challenged myself to eat as many strawberries in as many different ways as possible before this delicious season is over. And as someone who loves a good sweet and savory combo, I will forever be pro-fruit in salads. There’s also just something about a strawberry and balsamic combo that is SO incredibly perfect. Also, as someone who loves and needs more quick and easy salad options in her life – this strawberry spinach salad checks all my boxes!

What You Need To Make Strawberry Spinach Salad

Farro – Farro is a grain that’s full of fiber, iron, protein, and magnesium. I know, it’s the total package. If you’ve never had farro before, I highly recommend you give it a try. It tastes like a heartier brown rice. Though it has more than twice the amount of protein as rice! Follow the instructions on the package for how to cook the farro. The method is typically similar to pasta or rice. You’ll boil it in water for about 10-15 minutes, then strain it and let it cool for this recipe.

Spinach – Spinach is another major superfood in this recipe! Along with protein, iron, vitamins, and minerals – spinach is chock-full of antioxidants. The antioxidants found in spinach have been shown to reduce the risk of common diseases and even cancer. Yup, Popeye was seriously on to something with the whole spinach thing…

Walnuts – Here we go again with another superfood! Walnuts are also rich in antioxidants, are an incredible source of heart healthy omega-3s and have also been studied and found to reduce the risk of some cancers. Not only are they good for you, but walnuts give this salad a delightful crunch. I’m telling you, this strawberry spinach salad is the most well-rounded salad in both flavor and nutrition!

Adjust This Recipe To Your Diet

  • Add Protein: Feel free to add a flakey salmon filet or your favorite grilled/roasted chicken to increase the protein in this strawberry spinach salad recipe.
  • Make it Vegan: You can easily make this salad vegan by using maple syrup in place of the honey.
  • Use a Different Grain: Swap the farro for your favorite grain if you’d like! Cooked brown rice, quinoa, or even barley would taste great in this recipe.
  • Add Dairy: Sprinkle some crumbled feta over the top of your strawberry spinach salad.
Strawberry Spinach Salad
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Strawberry Spinach Salad

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Samantha Russo Course: MainCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

10

minutes
Total time

20

minutes

This strawberry spinach salad is both light and satisfying! Sweet strawberries, hearty farro, fresh mint, and healthy spinach are tossed together in a simple honey balsamic vinaigrette. Enjoy this strawberry spinach salad as a quick and nutritious lunch or serve it alongside your favorite protein for a well-rounded lunch!

Ingredients

  • For the salad:

  • 1 cup farro

  • 1-2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced

  • 3 cups spinach, sliced

  • 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

  • 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, sliced

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • For the honey balsamic dressing:

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon honey

  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

  • Cook farro according to package instructions then set aside to cool completely.
  • Toss all salad ingredients together in a bowl, including cooked and cooled farro.
  • Whisk together salad dressing ingredients in a small bowl, then drizzle over salad and toss again to coat.

Recipe Video

Notes

  • If you don’t have strawberries, fresh blueberries or sliced apples would taste great in their place!

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30 Minutes or Less

Paleo Chicken Nuggets + Healthy Honey Mustard (GF/DF)

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Paleo Chicken Nuggets Recipe

These paleo chicken nuggets are incredibly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Impressively simple to make, this recipe is the healthier answer to your fast food craving. And don’t forget the healthy honey mustard – it’s just four ingredients and the PERFECT companion to these paleo chicken nuggets!

Paleo chicken nuggets are finally here! I’ve actually been making this recipe for months, fine-tuning it every time. I’m a firm believer in chicken nuggets always having a place in our lives. They’re not just to enjoy throughout childhood, but adulthood too …and eventually senior-hood.

I also have a secret for how to eat these paleo chicken nuggets that makes them just a little more grown-up. I make a double batch at the beginning of the week, and throw them in all my salads as a crispy, delicious protein! Now I will say, if you plan on doing the same, to reheat these chicken nuggets I highlyyyy recommend warming them up in the oven as apposed to the microwave. The microwave makes these a little soggy, whereas the oven keeps the outside layer nice and crunchy. To do this, set your oven to 400° Fahrenheit and heat your paleo chicken nuggets on a baking sheet for 5-10 minutes or until they’re warm throughout.

And of course, you can enjoy these nuggets anyway you’d like! Another favorite method of mine is serving them with my air fryer sweet potato fries. I also included a BONUS healthy honey mustard recipe for you guys below. Paleo chicken nuggets, air fryer sweet potato fries, and healthy honey mustard is a killer combo. It honestly tastes like you ordered fast food for dinner, but is WAY HEALTHIER.

What You Need To Make Paleo Chicken Nuggets and Healthy Honey Mustard

Almond Flour – If you don’t already have a bag of almond flour in your cabinet, I highly recommend you go out and buy one. I use almond flour in a TON of my recipes, and not just the paleo ones. It’s a great gluten-free and paleo flour substitute, and that’s exactly how we use it in these paleo chicken nuggets.

Tapioca Starch – Another item I highly recommend you pick up next time you’re at the grocery store. Tapioca starch is a great item to have if you intend to cook more paleo recipes. It can act as a substitute to corn starch and since almond flour alone can be kind of dense, tapioca starch really helps to lighten up the crispy coating.

Dijon Mustard – Well, obviously! Dijon is my personal favorites of all the mustards. In my eyes, it’s a more mature yellow mustard. I wouldn’t recommend subbing a different kind of mustard for the dijon in this recipe. Dijon adds a little spice, helping this healthy honey mustard tasting almost identical to your regular ole’ honey mustard.

Paleo Chicken Nuggets + Healthy Honey Mustard (GF/DF)
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Paleo Chicken Nuggets + Healthy Honey Mustard (GF/DF)

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Samantha Russo Course: MainCuisine: American
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

10

minutes
Total time

20

minutes

These paleo chicken nuggets are incredibly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Impressively simple to make, this recipe is the healthier answer to your fast food craving. And don’t forget the healthy honey mustard – it’s just four ingredients and the PERFECT companion to these paleo chicken nuggets!

Ingredients

  • For the chicken nuggets:

  • 1 1/2 Pounds Chicken Breast, see Notes

  • 1 Egg

  • 1 Cup Almond Flour

  • 1/4 Cup Tapioca Starch

  • 1 Teaspoon Paprika

  • 1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder

  • 1/2 Teaspoon Onion Powder

  • 1/2 Teaspoon Black Pepper

  • 2 Teaspoons Salt, divided

  • For the healthy honey mustard:

  • 1/4 Cup Dijon Mustard, see Notes

  • 1/4 Cup Honey

  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

  • 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice, see Notes

Directions

  • Cut chicken into bite-sized chunks and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and set aside.
  • In a separate bowl, mix together the almond flour, tapioca starch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and remaining 1 teaspoon of salt.Paleo Chicken Nuggets Process Photo 3
  • Using one hand, place each piece of chicken into the egg, then with the other hand, dredge chicken in the flour mixture.Paleo Chicken Nuggets Process Photo 4
  • To fry: Heat 1/4 cup of oil in a pan over medium/high heat. Working in batches, as to not overcrowd the pan, fry each chicken nugget for 2-3 minutes per side or until cooked through.
    OR
    To bake: Preheat your oven to 425° Fahrenheit, place nuggets on a greased baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.Paleo Chicken Nuggets Process Photo 5
  • For the healthy honey mustard:
  • Add all honey mustard ingredients to a bowl and whisk until combined.Healthy Honey Mustard Process Photo

Notes

  • Chicken Breast: You’ll be cutting the chicken into bite-sized chunks in the first step of this recipe. I usually cut mine between 2-3 inches big. However, you can definitely cut your chicken into whatever shape/sized you’d like, just take that into consideration when you’re frying or baking your nuggets.
  • Dijon Mustard: I would not recommend subbing any other type of mustard, dijon works BEST in this recipe.
  • Lemon Juice: You can use apple cider vinegar or white vinegar instead of lemon juice, if you’d like.

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