GFCF Casserole - Comfort Food

I have to admit that one of the dishes I miss on a gluten and dairy free diet is a nice cheesy casserole. Casseroles are great comfort food. I love them because usually they will last two meals at my house which gives me a night off from cooking (big smiley face). Since I have a "dual household" of both gluten/dairy eaters and non-gluten/dairy eaters, it has been a challenge to accomplish a casserole everyone is happy with. Well, I think I nailed it. This casserole got a "thumbs up" from everyone at our house.


Creamy Beef Casserole (contains soy)


1 package of gluten-free elbow or penne style pasta (I use Jovial, Tinkyada or Andean Dream)
2 lbs of organic ground beef (I use 100% grass fed, if possible)
1 TBL of organic olive oil
3 cloves of minced garlic or 1 TBL of jarred crushed garlic
1 medium yellow onion, chopped finely
1/2 organic red bell pepper, chopped finely
(if your child has texture issues, you can run this through the food processor until it's like "pulp")
You could also add chopped mushrooms if your family likes them (mine does not)
1- 8 ounce can of organic tomato sauce
1- 14 ounce can of organic diced tomatoes; I use a roasted garlic variety but regular will do fine.
(again, if your child had texture issues, you can substitute another can tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes)
1/3 container of Tofutti brand non-dairy sour cream
1/3 cup of Tofutti brand non-dairy cream cheese
1 cup of Daiya brand mozzarella type cheese
1 cup of Daiya brand cheddar type cheese
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cook pasta according to instructions. Cook to "al dente" so the noodles will not be too soft and become mushy in the casserole.
3. In a large saute pan, begin browning ground beef. When the beef is cooked half way through, add the onions, garlic and bell pepper and continue to saute. If you are using "grass fed" beef, you may have to add a little olive oil during cooking time to prevent premature browning in the pan. This is due to the lean nature of the meat. Cook until meat is thoroughly browned, stirring frequently.
4. Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, salt and pepper. Stir thoroughly and simmer for about 4-5 minutes.
5. Combine beef mixture, cooked pasta and the sour cream and cream cheese and mix thoroughly.
6. Spread the mixture into a casserole pan and top with Daiya cheeses.
7. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the cheese melts. Enjoy!