Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 ounces gluten-free elbow macaroni
Cheese Sauce
- 4 tablespoons vegan butter (divided)
- 2 tablespoons tapioca or arrowroot flour (or gluten-free 1:1 flour)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups dairy-free cheddar cheese
- 1 cup dairy-free mozzarella cheese (or extra 1 cup cheddar cheese)
- 2 1/2 cups canned full-fat unsweetened coconut milk
Topping
- 1 slice gluten-free bread
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the macaroni and cheese casserole.
- Cook Pasta: In a large pot, bring water to a boil and cook the gluten-free elbow macaroni just until almost al dente, approximately 3-4 minutes. Drain the pasta thoroughly to prevent it from becoming mushy when baked.
- Make Roux: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of vegan butter. Add the tapioca or arrowroot flour and whisk continuously to form a smooth roux. Cook until it begins to bubble to activate the thickening power of the flour.
- Add Milk and Seasoning: Slowly pour in the full-fat coconut milk while stirring. Add salt and black pepper. Continue to cook and stir until the mixture thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
- Melt Cheese: Stir in the dairy-free cheddar and mozzarella cheeses over medium heat. Keep stirring continuously until the cheese melts into the sauce, about 3-4 minutes, ensuring the sauce is smooth and creamy without overheating or undercooking.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Transfer the drained pasta into a 9x9 baking dish and pour the cheese sauce over it. Mix well to coat all the pasta evenly. The mixture will be quite saucy at this stage.
- Prepare Topping: Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of vegan butter and toss it with the gluten-free bread crumbs made from the single bread slice. Sprinkle this buttery crumb mixture evenly over the top of the pasta and cheese sauce.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes until the topping is golden and crisp.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the macaroni and cheese from the oven and allow it to rest for at least 10 minutes. This helps the sauce set from its saucy consistency to creamy perfection before serving.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months to enjoy later.
Notes
- Cook gluten-free pasta just shy of al dente to avoid mushiness after baking.
- Using full-fat canned coconut milk provides the best creamy texture for the dairy-free cheese sauce.
- For the best flavor, use a mix of dairy-free cheddar and mozzarella cheeses; otherwise, extra cheddar works well.
- Dairy-free cheese requires gentle medium heat and continuous stirring to melt properly without ruining the sauce.
- Allow the casserole to rest after baking to thicken the sauce before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free