Best gluten free mac and cheese recipe

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Easy Gluten Free Macaroni and Cheese that's ready as soon as the gluten free pasta is done cooking.

This gluten free mac and cheese recipe uses minimal ingredients and only requires a few simple steps.

This gluten free macaroni and cheese recipe is gluten-free, nut-free, and egg-free.

Looking for more comfort foods? You'll want to make my Gluten Free Pizza Recipe. My Gluten Free Chicken and Biscuits are also simple to make and delicious.

Gluten free mac and cheese is a staple in our house. I have two kids, and if they could eat mac and cheese every day they would. 

This recipe is also great for adults who love pasta and cheese. I don't have a dairy-free version as this recipe uses cheese as a main ingredient.

Tips for making gluten free macaroni and cheese

Follow the manufacturer's directions for boiling the gluten free pasta.

After you drain the water from your pasta, rinse it with cold water. This will help prevent it from continuing to cook.

Add the cheese sauce immediately after rinsing the pasta with cold water.

The gluten free mac and cheese sauce is pretty fail-proof as long as you keep stirring it while it cooks.

How to make gluten free macaroni and cheese sauce

You can make gluten free mac and cheese sauce in a few simple steps. Most people have the ingredients on hand.

1. While your pasta is boiling, add the half and half to a small saucepan. Bring the half and half to a boil.
2. Add in the spices and salt, and mix until combined.
3. Add in the sharp cheddar and stir.
4. Continue to stir until the cheese is melted and all the ingredients are combined and smooth.

These steps match the numbered photos above to give you a visual on how to make gluten free macaroni and cheese sauce. For the full list of ingredients and the recipe, please see below.

How to make white cheddar mac and cheese

If you prefer white cheddar gluten free mac and cheese, simple swap out the sharp cheddar for a white cheddar or mozzarella, and follow the rest of the gluten free mac and cheese recipe instructions as written. For a spicier mac and cheese, use Colby jack or add more spices.

Gluten Free Pasta

While I have many gluten free pasta brands, here are a few of my favorite gluten free pastas to use when making gluten free mac and cheese.

• Jovial Gluten Free Elbows
• Jovial Gluten Free Penne
• Jovial Gluten Free Shells
• Barilla Gluten Free Elbows
• Rummo Gluten Free Penne

We have many more favorite gluten free pasta brands but those are the ones we stick to when making gluten free macaroni and cheese.

Gluten Free Kraft Mac and Cheese

Kraft now makes a gluten free Kraft mac and cheese and they are receiving mixed reviews. Some people feel that it's the equivalent of traditional kraft boxed mac and cheese, while others disagree.

More and more stores are now carrying gluten free Kraft mac and cheese, making it a quick and easy option.

We prefer our homemade gluten free mac and cheese and feel it's just as quick to make as the gluten free Kraft mac and cheese.

Please always check labels before you purchase.

I personally like making homemade gluten free mac and cheese but that doesn't mean I never buy the boxed kind.

I find homemade macaroni and cheese to be creamier, and cheesier and I can make it exactly the way I like it.

It also tends to be less expensive to make from scratch gluten free macaroni and cheese vs. buying the boxed kind.

If you're looking for a dairy-free version you might like this Dairy-Free Macaroni and Cheese from Allergy Free Alaska.

Looking for a dessert? Try this Gluten Free Cheesecake. Black Raspberry Ice Cream is also a fun and delicious dessert that goes well with mac and cheese.

Did you make this gluten free macaroni and cheese recipe? Please leave me a comment below letting me know what you thought and what type of pasta you used!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 16 oz. gluten-free elbows macaroni
• 1 cup half and half (or heavy cream)
• 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese
• ½ teaspoon cayenne (or more for more spice)
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon mustard powder (optional)
• ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Cook pasta per the instruction on the packaging. Rinse cooked pasta in cold water; set aside.
2. Add the half and half to a small cooking pot and bring just to a boil, stirring occasionally.
3. Remove from the heat. Add in the cayenne, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and mustard powder and stir until combined.
4. Add in the sharp cheddar cheese and stir until combined and the cheese is melted.
5. Add cheese sauce to the pasta and toss to combine.
6. Serve hot.

Notes

• Follow the manufacturer directions for boiling the gluten free pasta
• After you drain the water from your pasta, rinse it with cold water. This will help prevent it from continuing to cook.
• Add the cheese sauce immediately after rinsing the pasta with cold water.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

This nutrition info is based on the exact ingredients and brands that I used a the time. It may not be 100% accurate. Please check your ingredients nutrition labels.

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