Älplermagronen (Alpine Macaroni) with Dairy-Free Cheese Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 lb Macaroni pasta
• 2 medium Potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 cup Unsweetened applesauce
• 2 cups Dairy-free shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup Unsweetened almond milk
• 2 tbsp Nutritional yeast
• 1 tbsp Tapioca starch
• 1 medium Onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper

Instructions

1. 1Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the 1 tsp Salt to the boiling water.
2. 2Add the 1 lb Macaroni pasta to the boiling water and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente (tender to the bite but still firm). Drain the cooked macaroni and transfer it to a large mixing bowl. In a separate medium saucepan, place the 2 medium Potatoes, peeled and diced, and cover them with water; bring to a boil over high heat and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork. Drain the cooked potatoes and add them to the large mixing bowl with the macaroni.
3. 3While the pasta and potatoes cook, prepare the cheese sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine the 2 cups Dairy-free shredded cheddar cheese, 1 cup Unsweetened almond milk, 2 tbsp Nutritional yeast, 1 tbsp Tapioca starch, and 1/2 tsp Black pepper. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, for 5-7 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth and thickened to a consistency that coats the back of a spoon. Remove the saucepan from the heat.
4. 4Add the 1 cup Unsweetened applesauce to the large mixing bowl with the cooked macaroni and potatoes; stir gently to combine. Pour the prepared dairy-free cheese sauce over the mixture in the bowl and stir thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated. Transfer the entire mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish.
5. 5Bake the Älplermagronen in your preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and the mixture is bubbly around the edges. While the dish bakes, heat the 2 tbsp Olive oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the 1 medium Onion, thinly sliced, to the hot oil and fry for 8-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden brown and crispy; carefully remove the crispy onions with a slotted spoon and spread them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
6. 6Once baked, remove the Älplermagronen from the oven. Top the hot dish evenly with the crispy fried onions before serving immediately.

Substitutions

Related Guides