Creamy, cheesy and finished with a crisp oat and herb gratin, this loaded oat milk mac ‘n cheese is comfort food at its finest. Oat milk creates a silky sauce that lets the rich cheeses shine, while the crunchy topping adds the perfect contrast. Whether you’re feeding the family or bringing a dish to share, this oven-baked favourite is guaranteed to disappear fast. Vegans can substitute with vegan cheese in this recipe.
Loaded oat milk mac ’n cheese gratin
Ingredients
- 60ml (¼ cup) olive oil
- 1 leek, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves picked and stems discarded + extra sprigs, to decorate
- 2 tbsp cake flour
- 500ml (2 cups) oat milk/drink (unflavoured)
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- pinch ground nutmeg
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
- salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 250g mozzarella, grated
- 200g mature Cheddar cheese, grated
- 500g macaroni, cooked
OAT GRATIN
- 25g nutritional yeast (find at health stores)
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves picked and chopped
- 140g rolled oats
- 35g (¼ cup)
- ground almonds
- pinch sea salt flakes
- 100g unsalted butter/coconut oil
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Heat ½ the olive oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat and sauté the leek, garlic and leaves from the 2 thyme sprigs until softened, 3 – 5 minutes. Remove from saucepan and set aside.
Pour the remaining ½ of the olive oil into the same saucepan over medium heat and add the flour. Cook for 2 – 3 minutes. Add the oat milk all at once and whisk to combine. Cook until thickened and bubbling, 3 – 5 minutes. Add the leek mixture, mustard, nutmeg, 1 tbsp nutritional yeast and season to taste. Stir in the cheeses and cooked macaroni. Mix well and spread into a large ovenproof casserole dish.
For the oat gratin, mix the 25g nutritional yeast with leaves from the 4 thyme sprigs together with the remaining ingredients in a bowl. Rub together to form crumbs. Sprinkle over the mac ’n cheese and bake in the preheated oven until golden and bubbling, 30 – 35 minutes. Serve decorated with the extra thyme sprigs.
Also See: Can you freeze cheese? Here’s how to and which cheese to avoid
Can you freeze cheese? Here’s how to and which cheese to avoid
Imka Webb is a freelance digital marketing expert and the digital editor of Food & Home Entertaining magazine. www.imkawebb.com
