"cheesy" mac and veggies

A perfect winter meal. Warm, hearty and filling. You really can mix and match the veggies to what's on sale that week, it all tastes delicious covered in the sauce!

I also like to sometimes add beans to this recipe (butter beans or chick peas are my favorite for this dish) for the added protien.

mac and veggies

• 1 box of gluten free pasta (i used tri-color rotini quinoa pasta)
• olive oil
• salt
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, chopped 
• your favorite Italian seasoning ( I added 1/2 a teaspoon each of dry oregano, sage, and rosemary)
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 1/2 cup sun dried tomato, chopped
• 1 head of broccoli, cut to small florets
• 1/4 cup margarine (I used soy free earth balance)
• 1/4 cup brown rice flour
• 1 3/4 cup boiling water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon tumeric
• 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder
• 1/8 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked spanish paprika (optional)

(there are three separate steps for this meal, but all can be done at the same time)

(1) in a medium sized pot, cook noodles according to the instructions, drain and set aside

(2) in a large pan, add about a tablespoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt

heat on medium-high, and add the garlic and onion

add your favorite Italian seasoning 

once onions are soft and cooked through, add the carrot and sun dried tomato

cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally
add the broccoli, cover and cook another 5 minutes, or until broccoli is still firm, but changed color slightly

(3) in small sauce pan, melt the margarine on med-low heat
add the rice flour, whisk until combined
slowly add the boiling water, whisking continuously until it begins to thicken
whisk in salt, garlic powder, tumeric, and oil
turn off heat and whisk in nutritional yeast
add smoked paprika (optional)

once all three steps have been made, simply throw them all together in a large mixing bowl
stir with a wooden spoon until combined, then serve immediately
add pepper to taste, maybe a splash of your favorite hot sauce, and enjoy!