Vegan Stovetop-Style Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons vegetable shortening or palm oil
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 2 medium cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground paprika
• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons spicy brown or yellow mustard
• 4 ounces russet potato, peeled and thinly sliced
• 4 ounces roasted cashews
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 teaspoons miso paste
• 1/2 cup almond, soy, or rice milk
• 2 teaspoons hot sauce, such as Frank's
• Kosher salt to taste
• 1 box dry elbow macaroni

Directions

1. Warm the shortening in a medium skillet set over medium heat until melted. Stir in the onions and garlic, then cook until they are fully soft without taking on color, about 4 minutes. Add the paprika, garlic powder, tomato paste, and mustard, and keep stirring until the mixture smells toasty and begins to bubble, about 1 minute.
2. Stir in the potatoes and cashews, and cook until the cashews pick up a light toast, about 2 minutes. Pour in the water, then add the miso paste and milk. Bring everything to a boil, lower the heat to the gentlest simmer, and cook, stirring often, until the potatoes are completely tender, about 10 minutes.
3. Scrape the mixture into the jar of a high-powered blender. Add the hot sauce and a pinch of salt. Begin blending on low, gradually work up to high, and blend until the sauce is totally smooth, about 2 minutes. If it needs loosening, add water a few drops at a time until the texture is where you want it. Taste and add more salt as needed.
4. Put the macaroni in a large pot and add enough cold water to cover it by 2 inches. Salt the water generously. Set the pot over high heat, bring it to a boil while stirring, and cook, stirring now and then, until the macaroni is just tender; the timing will vary by brand. Drain the pasta, saving 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid, then return the macaroni to the pot.
5. Add the sauce to the pot with the macaroni. Place it over high heat and stir until the pasta is evenly coated, about 1 minute, adding the reserved cooking liquid as needed to make it creamy. Serve immediately.