Today I’m going to show you how to make an out of this world delicious gluten free dairy free mac and cheese recipe. If you manage Celiac Disease, food allergies, or other dietary restrictions, you’re going to be so glad you made this.
For ease, this recipe skips the roux process, so you won’t need any gluten-free flour to make your awesome mac and cheese. We only need simple ingredients, and the end result is a dish so good you can share it with friends and family. So, grab your tools and let’s get to work.
Allergy Status (Does NOT Include Cheese of Choice)
Free From: Wheat/Gluten, Dairy, Egg, Soy, Peanut, Tree Nut, Fish, Shellfish, Sesame, Top 9 Allergens, Top 14 Allergens, Apple, Avocado, Banana, Beans & Lentils, Berries, Buckwheat, Cane/Refined Sugar, Carrot, Celery, Cinnamon, Citrus, Coconut, Cruciferous, Latex Cross-Reactive Free, Legume, Lupin, Mustard, Nightshade, Oat, Pea & Pea Protein, Potato (Nightshade Variety), Poultry, Red Meat, Rice, Seeds, Stone Fruits, Strawberry, Squash & Gourd, Sweet Potato & Yam, Tapioca/Cassava/Yuca/Manioc, Tomato, Yeast
Friendly To: EOE, FPIES, Grain Free, Vegan
Grain Free Reminder: Use a pasta you enjoy. This article has good suggestions.
An Allergy Note About Dairy Free Cheese
For those of you that need dairy free cheese, most of them contain top and/or less common allergens such as: Almond, Cashew, Coconut, Corn, Legumes, Potato/Nightshade, Soy, Sunflower, Yeast, and a few others. Choose wisely based on your needs.
Some brands sell pre-shredded cheese, but the ingredients may be different from their cheese blocks, so always double check the ingredients.
Tools to Make Mac and Cheese
- Large Pot (for cooking pasta)
- Colander
- Knife (this is my current fave knife series)
- Cutting Board
- Large Pan (I like this brand)
- Garlic Press (if using fresh garlic, you can also use jarred garlic)
Gluten Free Dairy Free Mac and Cheese Ingredients
Part 1 Ingredients
- 8 TBSP Fat or Oil of Choice for Cooking
- 330g Organic Yellow Onion (12 ounces), sliced
Part 2 Ingredients
- 310g Mushrooms of Choice (11 ounces)
- 1 tsp Sea Salt
My Mushroom Blend: 130g Shiitake Mushrooms (5 ounces) + 150g Lion’s Mane Mushroom (6 ounces)
Part 3 Ingredients
- 670mL Milk of Choice (24 ounces/3 cups)
- 5 TBSP Pasta Water (see directions)
- 4 tsp Organic Garlic, finely chopped/minced
- 225g Shredded Cheese of Choice (I use this DF Vegan Parmesan, read sodium warning in notes)
You’ll Also Need
- 450g Cooked Pasta of Choice (16 ounces)
Important Ingredient Notes
Cooking Fat: You can use any fat you’d like. I’ve made this with organic extra virgin olive oil, vegan butter, bacon drippings, and a few other fats, just to keep things interesting.
Yellow Onion: You can substitute white onion in this recipe. Red onions also works, but will shift the flavour a little bit.
Mushrooms: You can use ANY single mushroom or mushroom blend you’d like. Personally, I love shopping local markets and buying all sorts of exotic mushrooms including lobster mushrooms, morels, and more. The mushrooms are what make this mac and cheese interesting, so branch out a little if you can.
Salt: For extra flavor, swap the sea salt for a smoked salt.
Milk of Choice: Any milk will work for this gluten-free dairy-free mac recipe. You can use almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, cashew milk, rice milk, and so on. I don’t suggest coconut milk, especially full fat coconut milk, since it can disrupt the flavor, but if that’s your only safe dairy-free milk, use it. This article has a list of dairy free milk options in case you need good leads.
Cheese of Choice: When it comes to selecting a dairy-free cheese, there are so many to choose from. This article has a great list of brands to choose from. Be warned, if you use a dairy free Parmesan cheese, you have to be delicate with salt. It’s incredibly easy to use too much salt when you’ve paired the recipe with Parmesan (or other naturally salty cheeses).
Pasta of Choice: You can use regular pasta if you’re not gluten free, or any gluten free boxed dry pasta you enjoy. If you’re not sure about brands, this article has a whole range of free-from pasta brands in the US, UK, and EU.
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More Delicious Gluten Free Dairy Free Pasta Recipes
From vegan macaroni and cheese with broccoli to nut free pesto, I’ve got you covered on so many free-from pasta fronts. Each of these recipes also happens to be entirely plant-based, so everyone can feast together.
- Nut Free Vegan Pesto Recipe
- Black Bean Vegan Pasta Recipe
- Basic Creamy Vegan Pasta Recipe
- Vegan Gluten Free Mac and Cheese Recipe with Broccoli
- Cheese Free Gluten Free Dairy Free Mac and Cheese Recipe
- Pumpkin Gluten-Free Vegan Mac
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Mac and Cheese Recipe Directions
Gather up your simple ingredients and let’s cook! Heat a large/deep pan on medium-high heat (7/10 for me). Add your oil, and once it’s hot, add your sliced onion. Cook the onion for 8 minutes, stirring to prevent burning. (Part 1 Ingredients)
Next, add all of your mushroom & sea salt, and stir everything together well. Reduce the heat to medium heat(5/10 for me) and continue to cook for 20 minutes. During this time your onion will start to caramelize a bit, and the mushrooms will soften considerably. (Part 2 Ingredients)
Free-From Tip: During this stage of cooking, personally, I get something else cooking in the background like a batch of waffle batter or muffins. This keeps me busy in the kitchen, but I can still stir as needed. You can also do dishes.
This is a good time to cook your pasta. Follow the package directions (some brands have you cook in a simmer versus a full boil). Don’t forget to salt your pasta water so it doesn’t come out bland. The package instructions should have the cooking times, but know that most times are a bit off. Always check the pasta 1 – 2 minutes before what the package directions say, and continue to cook as needed.
When the 20 minutes are up, add your milk, pasta water, garlic, and shredded Parmesan. Mix everything together very well. Allow the mixture to come to a slight boil, as this will aide in the thickening process. I opted to increase the heat back to medium-high to get that to happen faster. Once your mixture starts to bubble and thicken, it’s ready to serve and enjoy. This process can take up to 20 minutes, especially if you’re starting with cold milk, and don’t bump the heat back up.
What is Pasta Water
After your pasta has boiled, just before draining it, carefully remove 5 Tablespoons of the water and place it into a small bowl for mixing into the final pasta sauce. Pasta water is starchy goodness, and can help recipes like these thicken up a little bit.
Salt Note
About the low salt… Your pasta water should be salted before cooking your pasta. Also, the dairy free cheese has salt to balance the entire dish. Whilst you can add more salt to taste, I didn’t feel it was necessary.
New to the Free-From Life?
If you’re new to cooking free-from meals, and you’re not sure what to purchase (milk, pasta, etc.), these two resources are incredibly helpful, and very thorough.
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GF DF Mac and Cheese Storage
After you’ve made one of the best mac recipes I can offer, allow it to cool a bit, then transfer leftovers to an airtight container. You’ll need to store leftovers in the fridge. Do not freeze leftovers, as this will ruin the texture when you go to reheat your meal.
For best results, don’t eat leftovers cold the next day (or within the week). Instead, reheat servings on the stovetop in a medium-sized pot (or a small one if it’s for one person).
Add a little more of your milk of choice and stir it in to help bring your gluten free dairy free mac and cheese back to life.
Ways to Jazz Up Your Gluten Free Dairy Free Mac and Cheese
I’m a BIG fan of seeing you take ideas and run with them. This recipe is no different. What I’ve shared with you is a delicious, but somewhat basic mac and cheese. This keeps it allergy friendly. However, based on the needs of you family, you can absolutely go to town with this recipe. Here are some ideas:
Add a Crunchy Topping
This is a great way to add texture to the dish. You can toast something like gluten free breadcrumbs and fold them in to the pasta just before serving.
Add Fresh Veg and/or Herbs
Slice or dice fresh tomatoes (or use quartered cherry tomatoes) and serve them on top of your pasta. You could also add fresh chopped herbs like basil or flat leaf parsley, as the flavors will pair well together.
Give Your Mac a Pop of Flavor
You can add acid to this dish with a splash of flavoured vinegar, or even lemon juice. Both can add brightness to the dish, which helps elevate the overall meal. The best way to incorporate an acid for the function of brightness is to add it near the end of cooking.
Add Spices
There are so many spices that work well with this mac and cheese recipe. You can add single spices such as black pepper, smoked paprika, thyme, marjoram, and so on. Alternatively, you can add a spice blend such as BBQ spice or Italian seasoning.
Depending on the spice, and how present you’d like the flavour to be, add 2 – 4 teaspoons when you add the milk to the pot.
Add a Chopped, Ground, or Shredded Protein
You can cook up any protein and fold it into the pasta near the end. The goal is to use a protein that won’t clash with the flavours of the dish. Luckily, the base recipe is pretty versatile, however, if you add other spices, keep this in mind.
Ground beef, ground pork, shredded chicken, pulled jackfruit, and pan seared tofu (or soy free tofu) would each be a great addition to this recipe.
Serve Something Tasty on the Side
When you serve your meal, you can take the classic approach and pair with something like garlic bread. You can also add grilled vegetables to your dinner for a nice nutrition boost and texture variation.
If you have an air fryer, some kind of air fried veggies could be really nice.
Great Side Dish Recipes
If you’re looking for veggies that treated with love and care, these recipes are for you. Any of these sides would be a fantastic addition to your dinner.
- Vegan Spiced Carrots (GF, V, Top 9/14 Free)
- Plant-Based Cheesy Green Beans (GF, V, Top 9/14 Free)
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Answering Your Gluten Free Dairy Free Mac and Cheese Questions
Can I use cream cheese as the cheese of choice?
If you make a creamy sauce in your blender first, yes, you can use cream cheese as the cheese of choice. It will work for function, but I can’t speak to taste. However, based on other recipes I’ve made with dairy free cream cheese, people do tend to enjoy it as part of the sauce blend. Happy cooking!
Will homemade dairy free cheese work in this mac and cheese recipe?
If you like to make your own vegan cheese sauce at home, you can absolutely use that in this gluten-free macaroni and cheese. Just be sure you’ve made a smooth cheese sauce, as you don’t want it to be clumpy. I like to make a cheesy sauce in the blender, then transfer it to the pot to cook.
Which GF pasta is the best choice for this mac and cheese recipe?
Honestly, the best option is the one that you enjoy the most. Often, people ask me what the best gluten-free pasta is, and I can’t give you a straight answer. What I can tell you is that my kids who can have wheat say that the Jovial brown rice pasta tastes the closest to wheat pasta.
However, there are some people who can’t have rice, and others who don’t like the taste. On the flipside, there’s some GF pasta that my kids detest and people online sing its praises.
Ultimately, it really does come down to what’s safe for you, and what your taste buds enjoy. In terms of function, they can all get the job done, so long as you have a good cooking time and don’t overcook your pasta.
Is dairy-free cheddar cheese a good option for this mac and cheese recipe?
If you like dairy-free cheddar cheese, yes, it’s a great option. If you’re on the fence, use something you actually enjoy. The overall method won’t magically transform a cheese into something better, yanno?
If you’re not sure where to start with dairy free cheese, this article has a list of brands and products that you can review.
Can this mac and cheese recipe be baked with breadcrumbs?
For that classic casserole dish mac and cheese, I don’t know that this is the best recipe for that. If your method only requires your mac and cheese casserole to be under the broiler for a few minutes, I think it would be fine.
However, if your method requires the casserole to bake in the oven for more than 5 – 7 minutes, I’d err on the side of caution and tell you not to do it. Since the gluten free pasta is already cooked, it may not respond all that well to being baked as well.
The solution is to use a baked pasta method where you mix the sauce with uncooked pasta and bake it to perfection, which will ensure your noodles don’t overcook and get mushy.
Will I be able to find gluten free pasta and dairy free cheese at my local grocery store?
Usually, you should be able to find basic GF and DF options. However, some stores won’t offer much at all. If you’re new to the free-from life, call your local store before heading out and make sure they have items suitable for someone on a dairy free + gluten-free diet.
Ask about dairy free cheese, gluten free pasta, and any other essentials you may want to try. Some stores will have a dedicated gluten free + allergy friendly section whilst others integrate the products with regular items. So the gluten free pasta will be near the wheat pasta, rather than in a special aisle. There are pros and cons to both approaches.
Dairy free items are usually near the dairy products, and you should see things like dairy free cheese, cream cheese, vegan butter, dairy free milk, and so on.
Could I use nutritional yeast in place of the cheese?
No, for this gluten free dairy free mac and cheese, swapping for nutritional yeast won’t be a good move. The yeast won’t be able to form a good sauce mixture, and you’ll have powdery pasta.
If nutritional yeast is your only safe option, I’d suggest looking online specifically for a yeast based gluten free dairy free mac and cheese recipe. That allows you to ensure the ratios are on point, and you don’t waste expensive ingredients.
Can I use garlic powder instead of minced garlic?
Yes, you can swap the minced garlic for garlic powder. Start with 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder, taste, and adjust. Depending on how much you enjoy garlic, you can even start at 1/2 teaspoon.
Could a homemade cauliflower cashew cheese sauce work for this mac n cheese recipe?
I think your cheese sounds like it would be amazing in savory dishes, and you would have nothing but delicious success. When blending your cashews and cauliflower together, it’s important that you have an ultra, mega, super duper, hyper smooth consistency. The last thing you want is lumpy cheesy goodness.
Is Daiya cheese a good cheese substitute?
Maybe. It’s hard to answer because you can ask anyone with food allergies this question, and get a different answer. The thing about alternative cheese products is that some hit the nail on the head and others are a complete miss.
If you’re new to dairy free living, before going all in and using this regularly for family meals, sample. You could even melt some and make a grilled cheese sandwich to just see if you like the performance and taste. Honestly, that’s one of the best tips I can give you, because all too often people are caught off guard by the smell, taste, and texture.
Also know that most major brands will each have their own version of classic cheese options like mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan. From there, different manufacturers start to offer cool options no one else has. Daiya has gouda and other Artisanal options, Follow Your Heart has feta crumbles (so does Vio Life), and so on.
This section of my Ultimate Guide to dairy free substitutes is all about cheese. Review the different choices, and pick a few to try.
Would this be a good dinner to make on busy weeknights?
No, I don’t suggest making this fresh on a busy weeknight. Instead, make it fresh when you have some time, since there’s an extended cook time on the veggies. Then, use the leftovers for busy weeknights.
Is this a good food for babies?
For babies in the 6 – 12 month range, no, this isn’t a good recipe. The sodium level is much too high for this age bracket. Unfortunately, each type of dairy free cheese is actually pretty high in sodium, so there’s not an easy work around for the whole family.
I suggest making this comfort food recipe and setting aside some cooked pasta and mushroom topping for your baby to munch on. You can make this easy vegan creamy pasta sauce recipe for their serving, and toss the noodles and mushroom in that instead.
Whilst it won’t be classic mac, it will still be an awesome first time mac-like experience for your little one to enjoy at the table with the rest of your family.
