Deliciously cheap and easy VEGAN for the whole family

Cook the Cauliflower and Potatoes:

• Add cauliflower, potatoes, garlic, and bay leaf to a pot.
• Fill the pot with water.
• Bring to a boil, then cook for 5-10 minutes until soft and easily broken with a fork.
• Remove the bay leaf.

Season and Sear the Tofu:

• Unwrap the extra-firm tofu blocks.
• Season both sides with black pepper, cumin, and garlic powder.
• Heat a cast-iron skillet or pan over medium-high heat with 1 tbsp of oil.
• Sear the tofu on both sides until nicely colored.
• Remove from heat and set aside to rest in the pan.

Prepare the Vegetables:

• Slice the green onions.
• Dice the jalapenos (char on the pan to release flavor).
• Measure out the frozen peas and corn.

Make the Chickpea Crust:

• Preheat the oven to 425°F.
• Drain the chickpeas, saving the chickpea water.
• Mash the chickpeas.
• Add a pinch of black pepper and some sliced green onions.
• Mix in crushed tortilla chips.

Form the Crust in a Casserole Dish:

• Press the chickpea-chip mixture into the bottom of a casserole dish, forming a crust.
• The crust can go up the sides of the dish.
• Bake the crust for a few minutes until slightly hardened.

Make the Cheese Sauce:

• Add the boiled cauliflower, potatoes, and garlic to a blender.
• Add salsa, vegan cheese, cumin, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, nutritional yeast, and chickpea water.
• Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste, it should be amazing.

Sear the Jalapenos:

• Char jalapenos on the hot cast iron pan

Cook the Spinach:

• Using the same cast iron pan, sear off the baby spinach
• Add a little water to help it along if needed

Assemble the Nacho Mac and Cheese:

• In a large bowl, combine the cooked chickpea pasta with most of the cheese sauce.
• Add the frozen peas, corn, and some green onions. Mix well.
• Chop the seared tofu into smaller pieces.

Layer the Ingredients in the Casserole Dish:

• Spread half of the pasta mixture over the tortilla chip crust.
• Layer with baby spinach
• Add the extra cup of peas
• Add a couple teaspoons of salsa.
• Top with the remaining pasta mixture.
• Arrange the sliced tofu on top.
• Garnish with jalapeno slices.
• Drizzle some extra cheese sauce over the top.

Bake the Pie:

• Heat up the pie in the oven for about 15 minutes, or until heated through.

Serve:

• Let the pie cool slightly before serving.
• For easier slicing, chill it overnight and then reheat slices.