Happy National Vegan Mac n Cheese Day!!!

Mac n cheese is my ultimate comfort food.  I could eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday and be perfectly happy- ecstatic even!  It was one of the hardest foods to break up with when I kissed my dairy consuming days goodbye.  Since I became vegan,  I've been on the hunt for a comparable vegan mac n cheese recipe that will squash my cravings for my cheesy, melty, childhood delight.  All the recipes I've tried in the past never really came close as far as flavor and texture goes.  The flavor would be good, but not even close to cheese.  The sauces always seemed powdery and not creamy.  However, finally, after much trial and error, and just in time for Vegan Mac n Cheese Day, I came up with this recipe.  It's ooey, it's gooey, it actually tastes like cheese and even has vegan bacon in it.  I'm pretty proud of my myself on this one.  It's packing a little high on calories, but hey, it's okay to indulge every once in a while and Vegan Mac n Cheese Day only comes around once a year!

Ooey Gooey Fully Loaded Vegan "Mac n Cheese" with "Bacon"
(serves 2)
4 oz elbow macaroni
1 1/2 cups Daiya cheddar style shreds
1 cup almond milk
1 1/2 tbsp vegan margarine
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup panko bread crumbs, Italian style
1/4 tsp paprika
extra virgin olive oil
3 strips vegan bacon (optional)

Cook macaroni according to package.  While pasta is cooking, make vegan bacon according to package, if using.  I used Lightlife's Smart Bacon, it cooks up in about 3 minutes.  When pasta is done cooking, drain and set aside.
Preheat oven to 350.  Make the cheese sauce while the oven is heating up.  In a small sauce pan, melt the margarine.  Add pepper then stir in milk.  Add the daiya cheese and cook over medium heat, about 5 minutes or until the daiya has melted and sauce is thick and creamy.  Stir the macaroni and sauce together, then crumble the bacon and stir that into the mixture.  Transfer to a small casserole dish.
In a separate bowl, mix panko bread crumbs, paprika and a drizzle of olive oil..  Sprinkle panko bread crumb mixture on top of mac and cheese.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, uncovered or until the cheese is bubbling and bread crumbs are starting to brown.
Enjoy!