Barbecue Chicken Mac and Cheese

 If there is one thing I miss from being a non-vegan, it is Panera's white cheddar mac and cheese. This recipe is a MUCH cheaper copy cat of their barbecue chicken mac and cheese. The best substitute I found for Panera's mac and cheese is Annie's brand. As a caveat, this recipe does have an element of a "fake meat" which may make this slightly more expensive. Even if you choose not to make this specific recipe, I would definitely recommend this brand of mac and cheese! 

 

Annie's Vegan Mac with Morning Star Farms Chick'n Strips, barbecue sauce and french fried onions

1 box Vegan Mac or home-made stovetop mac and cheese*

1/4 cup vegan chicken of choice (I use gardein or morningstar)**

2 tbsp barbecue sauce 

2 tbsp french fried onions 

1 tsp dried parsley

1. Prepare mac and cheese according to box directions. As mac and cheese boils, begin to prepare the vegan/fake chicken according to the directions in the package (NOTE: many packages will have microwave instructions. 

2. Make sure to spread out pieces of chicken so they heat up and cook evenly and not get too tough or lumpy). 

3. Once mac and cheese is prepared, place in a bowl and place chicken on top of mac and cheese. Then add french fried onions and barbecue sauce. 

4. Garnish with some dried parsley, mix it all up and eat!

*NOTE: If you aren't vegan or don't really like vegan mac and cheese, I would definitely recommend using Annie's White Cheddar Mac and Cheese Shells to make it go from vegan to vegetarian 

**Feel free to omit the vegan chicken strips if they are not in your price point. Add any other protein you'd like, e.g. soy curls, tofu pieces, or seitan.