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When I make vegan mac n’ stuff, I aim for creaminess, a little sweetness, a little tang, and tasty mix-ins if I’m in the mood. If I can achieve those things then it takes the focus squarely off of whether it tastes like dairy cheese. That way we can just focus on eating. I know I’m not alone when I say that I would rather be putting food in my mouth than arguing about cheese substitutes. Yea or nay? Anyway, the crazy thing about this sweet potato sauce is that it has that almost neon-orange color that bears a kind of unfortunate resemblance to Easy Mac. But looks can be deceiving! This BBQ jackfruit sweet potato mac is sweet, savory, and spicy, all at once. Doctor it up even more with your favorite spices, and as always, season to taste. The salt and acid will definitely need to be adjusted depending on the size and variety of sweet potato used.

As far as the BBQ jackfruit goes, I would stick with a barbecue sauce that’s more spicy/tangy rather than sweet. That will help the two components here to complement each other as much as possible. I almost always buy Stubb’s BBQ sauce, the spicy kind. I love sauces that are made with tamarind – it’s a really unique and toothsome taste. All Stubb’s sauces are vegan except for the honey flavor. They are all-natural and sold at Whole Foods as well as my local supermarket. Not a sponsored plug, just a product that I like :).

BBQ jackfruit method adapted from Luminous Vegans. Sweet potato mac was tweaked up by me, but inspired by The Kind Life/Detoxinista/others that I’ve seen around the internet.

Enjoy this sweet potato mac! And if you’re looking for a classic vegan macaroni and cheese, I’ve perfected my recipe over the years so head on over!

5 from 2 votes Print BBQ Jackfruit Sweet Potato Mac Creamy sweet potato mac topped with BBQ pulled jackfruit. Vegan recipe. Prep Time 15 minutes Cook Time 30 minutes Total Time 45 minutes Total Yield 4 servings Calories Per Serving 387 kcal Author Yup, it's Vegan Ingredients For the BBQ jackfruit: 1 14 oz. can young green jackfruit in brine or water rinsed and drained

1/2 cup BBQ sauce For the sweet potato mac: 8 oz whole wheat pasta of choice (or gluten-free pasta if needed)

1 medium-sized sweet potato cooked and peeled

1/4 cup raw cashews soaked in water overnight

1 clove garlic minced

1 cup plain, unsweetened non-dairy milk

1 tbsp lemon juice

1/2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce

1/4 tsp smoked paprika

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1/8 tsp onion powder

1/2 tbsp prepared mustard

1/8 tsp liquid smoke (optional)

2 tbsp plain, unsweetened non-dairy yogurt (optional)

2 tbsp nutritional yeast

1 tbsp tapioca starch

salt and pepper

chopped fresh cilantro or green onions for serving Instructions For the BBQ jackfruit: Slice off any hard ends of the jackfruit pieces and discard. Rub the pieces of jackfruit between your fingers to separate them and remove any seeds. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Add the jackfruit to a small saucepan or skillet, and add enough BBQ sauce to coat. Cook on medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the briney taste is gone from the jackfruit. Spread the jackfruit out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a Silpat, and bake for 10 minutes or until it starts to dry out and crisp up. Remove and set aside. For the sweet potato mac: Cook the whole wheat pasta to al dente, according to package instructions, and drain. Add the sweet potato, cashews, garlic, and a couple of splashes of the nondairy milk to a blender or food processor, and blend until completely smooth. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until combined. Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed. Transfer the mixture to a saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until it thickens slightly, 2-3 minutes. Fold in the cooked pasta and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Serve topped with BBQ jackfruit and cilantro or green onions. Nutrition Facts BBQ Jackfruit Sweet Potato Mac Amount Per Serving (1 fourth recipe) Calories 387 Calories from Fat 54 % Daily Value* Fat 6g 9% Saturated Fat 1g 6% Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 2g Sodium 548mg 24% Potassium 219mg 6% Carbohydrates 66g 22% Fiber 12g 50% Sugar 10g 11% Protein 17g 34% Vitamin A 5000IU 100% Vitamin C 8.3mg 10% Calcium 70mg 7% Iron 4mg 22% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Soo… no more sweet potato recipes for a while, I promise =].

Looking for a more classic vegan mac and cheese? <- I’ve got you covered!

For the sweet potato lover, may I suggest these BBQ pulled sweet potato sandwiches?