Halloween mac and cheese is a quick and easy crowd favourite.
Halloween Recipe: Macaroni and Cheese (Mac & Cheese)
Are little zombies aka 'walkers' banging down the kitchen door looking for food? Are you looking for brains to feed your hoard?
Are you ready to add a spooky twist to your favourite comfort food? This plant-based Halloween macaroni and cheese (Mac & Cheese) spooky recipe is perfect for Halloween. With a rich, creamy cheese sauce and vibrant colours, it’s sure to entertain and satisfy your zombie guests.
This isn't just any mac and cheese; it’s designed to look like brains – perfect for a zombie-themed Halloween dinner. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party or just want to surprise your family with a fun and eerie meal, this dish will surely be a hit. Let’s dive into this spooky, delicious, and nutritious dish!
Introduction to the Ingredients
Macaroni: Regular white flour macaroni is something most of us probably already have in our cupboard. It's not a penny-pinching ingredient, but easy to find in the store.
Plant-Based Cheese: Get creative with your cheese mix. Use your favourite variety to ensure the sauce is as creamy and flavourful as possible.
Plant-based mozzarella adds a gooey texture that makes this dish irresistible and perfect for achieving that cheese-brain-like, creamy consistency.
To add more depth of flavour, consider using different brands of plant-based cheese or even mixing in a bit of parmesan cheese. It's is up to you what plant-based cheese you use, grab what is on hand.
Barista Plant-Based Milk: This milk is perfect for achieving a smooth, creamy cheese sauce. Its mild flavour won’t overpower the other ingredients, and it blends seamlessly to create a sauce that’s both rich and light. I like to use barista versions as they are more heat resitant.
Nutritional Yeast: This ingredient is a must for any vegan cheese sauce, adding a cheesy flavour and a boost of B vitamins. It also helps to thicken the sauce, ensuring it clings well to the macaroni.
Salt and Black Pepper: Optional for seasoning your dish. Black pepper adds a slight kick, enhancing the overall flavour of the dish.
Halloween Party Serving Suggestions
For a fun Halloween twist, serve your Halloween cheese brain-looking mac & cheese in individual pumpkin-shaped bowls. This not only makes the dish more festive but also adds to the fun.
If you want to experiment with the colour, you can use green food colouring to create a monstrous green cheese sauce that kids will love.
Brains for Zombie Halloween Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
1 packet of macaroni
3 slices of plant-based cheese (use your preferred variety)
¼ cup of plant-based mozzarella
1 cup of barista plant-based milk
2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast
For the sauce
1-2 tbsp of beetroot powder or juice (if you use the powder mix it with a little hot water first to get the the lumps out)
or a couple of drops of pink or red food colouring
Optional
Salt and pepper to taste
1-2 teaspoons of cornstarch (or all-purpose flour for thickening)
1-2 tablespoons butter (for extra decadence)
1 - 2 handfuls of fresh baby spinach (to sneak some plants in)
Cooking Instructions
Boil the Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Into the boiling water add a pinch of salt and the beetroot macaroni.
Cook pasta according to the package instructions until soft. Cooking time will vary depending on your macaroni type.
Drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process. This helps keep the pasta from overcooking and maintains its vibrant pink colour. Set it aside.
Make the Cheese Mixture: In a smaller pot, heat 1 cup of barista oat milk over medium heat until warm but not boiling.
Add 3 slices of plant-based cheese and 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast. Stir regularly until the cheese melts and the mixture is smooth. A cup of shredded cheese will also work. The cheese and oat milk will create a creamy cheese sauce that’s perfect for coating the macaroni.
For a thicker sauce, mix 1-2 teaspoons of cornstarch with a bit of cold water and add it to the sauce, stirring to prevent lumps. This will give the cheese sauce a nice, thick consistency, making it clingy and gooey – just like brains!
Combine the Pasta and Sauce: Pour the sauce over the cooked macaroni in the pot.
Stir gently until the macaroni is evenly coated with the creamy cheese sauce. The beetroot macaroni will soak up the sauce, enhancing its spooky appearance.
Add 1/4 cup of plant-based mozzarella and stir until it melts and becomes gooey, making the macaroni even creamier and more brain-like.
Season and Serve: Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning to your preference to ensure a balanced flavour.
Serve the Mac & Cheese while it’s still warm. The dish is best enjoyed fresh when the cheese sauce is at its creamiest.
Enjoy your Halloween with this fun and creative dish, and don't forget to share it with friends and family!
Still looking for Halloween recipes? Read 2 Ingredient Halloween Dessert Idea: 'Eyeballs in a Jar'.
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