creamy gluten free mac and cheese in a bowl with a fork

It’s a good day to talk mac and cheese (aka any day). Gluten Free Mac and Cheese, to be exact! Get. Ready!

Watch How to Make It!

Mac and cheese is one of those meals that’s not inherently gluten free but is a cinch to adapt, especially because my version has no flour roux. Just 5 ingredients (including salt!) tossed in a pot then stirred to create the creamiest gluten free mac and cheese that tastes like it has loads of cream and butter but is actually made with, get ready for it…

SKIM MILK.

bowl of homemade gluten free mac and cheese

If you don’t have or like skim milk — no problem! Use whatever you’ve got in the fridge. This recipe is pretty fool proof!

fork taking a cheesy bite of one pot gluten free mac and cheese

How to Make This Recipe

Start by adding 6oz dry gluten free elbow pasta into a pot with milk and salt. Again, you can use whatever you’ve got on hand. I’ve used skim, 2%, and whole milk with fantastic results. At this point you can also add a dash of cayenne pepper for a hint of warmth, if you please.

gluten free elbow noodles in a pot with milk

Turn the heat to medium then stir slowly yet constantly with a spatula until the milk comes to a simmer — NOT a boil — 10-12 minutes. Turn the heat down to low then stir slowly yet constantly until the pasta is tender, another 5-7 minutes or so.

Before your very eyes the milk will thicken from the starches released from the pasta. SO creamy!

gluten free pasta cooking in skim milk

Once the pasta is tender add freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese then stir until the sauce is smooth, adding in an extra splash of milk if needed.

This is the fun part of the recipe because you can play around with the cheeses you like and/or have in the fridge – you really can’t go wrong! If you want to stick with a more classic sauce though, choose medium-hard cheeses like sharp cheddar, gouda, and fontina.

Let the mac and cheese thicken for a few minutes with the lid on the pan, then scoop and serve! Make this once and you’ll be whipping it up from memory at least once a week — it’s a keeper. And you can, of course, use regular pasta in place of gluten free pasta, too. Mac and Cheese for all!

More Easy Cheesy Pasta Recipes

Gluten Free Mac and Cheese

Description

Gluten Free Mac and Cheese is as creamy and decadent as it comes! This one pot recipe is made from fridge and pantry staples in minutes.

Ingredients

serves 3

  • 6oz dry gluten free elbow noodles or other short cut pasta
  • 2-1/4 cups milk, any kind, divided
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • pinch cayenne pepper
  • 1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Directions

  1. Add the pasta, milk, salt, and cayenne pepper (if using) to a medium-size saucepan. Turn the heat to medium then stir slowly and constantly until milk comes to a simmer — NOT a boil — 10-12 minutes. Turn the heat down to low then stir slowly and constantly until the noodles are tender, adding up to an additional 1/4 cup milk if the noodles have absorbed all the liquid but aren't tender yet. There should be a bit of milk left in the saucepan to create the cheese sauce.
  2. Turn off the heat then add half the shredded cheese and stir until smooth. Add the remaining shredded cheese then stir until smooth. Scoop the mac and cheese into bowls then serve.

Notes

  • I have used skim, 2% and whole milk for this recipe with great results.
Adapted from White on Rice Couple

This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.

Video

Photos by Ashley McLaughlin