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.
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!
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.
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!
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
- Cheesy Gnocchi Florentine
- Creamy Mushroom Parmesan Pasta
- Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Herbs
- Pink Sauce Pasta
- Gluten Free Baked Ziti
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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
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Video
Photos by Ashley McLaughlin
PINTEREST RECIPE TEST #5 - ONE POT GLUTEN-FREE MAC & CHEESE (Vegetarian) (Gluten-Free) - ChefTronic 09.01.2016
[…] One Pot Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese […]
Courtney B. 08.25.2016
Just wanted to say that I’ve made this 4 or 5 times now, and it’s definitely one of my favorite recipes ever! Most gluten free macaroni and cheese up to this point had been blah to me, but this is soooo delicious! Thanks for posting it!
Kristin 08.25.2016
I’m so glad to hear that, Courtney! Thanks so much for the feedback!
Alyx Jayne 07.31.2016
I’ve just made this recipe! I’ve been craving Mac and Cheese for weeks since getting back from Florida but I’ve not been able to find any like I had there! :( finally this recipe is in my life and it’s amazing! However, I’m also dairy free as well as gluten free so I’ve substituted Alpro Soya and Violife vegan cheese and it’s still amazing! Thank you!
Kristin 08.01.2016
Thank you so much about letting us know how the vegan version went! I will have to try this for my son, who’s allergic to dairy!
tracy 07.13.2016
Both of my daughters are allergic/sensitive to dairy. They love mac and cheese; any ideas? I remember reading that your son is allergic to dairy too. If you have any other ideas on dairy free recipes regarding mac and cheese or any other, I would greatly appreciate your help.
Sincerely,
Tracy Criswell
Kristin 07.15.2016
Hi Tracy! You could try this recipe with vegan cheese. I personally haven’t tried it, and am not sure about vegan cheese’s “melting” capabilities, but I’d start there. My little guy is allergic to dairy and so hasn’t had mac and cheese yet, at 3 YO, either!
Alyx Jayne 07.31.2016
I’ve just used vegan cheese and it worked a treat Tracy, it just took a little longer to melt than dairy cheese :) I use Violife, I hope that helps xx
Krystal 07.02.2016
This was a real find!
My daughter was craving mac & cheese, but whining that all the GF versions never really stack up. I found your amazeballs recipe and it worked perfectly. Super easy- super delish! Mucho thanx!!
Kristin 07.05.2016
You bet, Krystal!! SO glad your daughter was able to enjoy! :)
ALRaeesi 05.31.2016
how much calories does it contain ?
Eight Easy Gluten Free Dinner Options - Baby Gizmo Company 04.25.2016
[…] One Pot Macaroni and Cheese […]
Emily 04.05.2016
I was recently diagnosed with celiac disease and have been on the hunt for a go-to Mac and cheese recipe. This is definitely a keeper! This is the creamiest Mac and cheese I’ve ever had. I made one small modification…1/4 teaspoon of ground mustard instead of the cayenne. Thanks so much!
Star 04.05.2016
I used rice pasta shells and this recipe was a disaster. A horrible clumpy mess was what resulted. I used high quality ingredients. What a waste of money and time. SOrry but it sure didn’t work for me.
Gluten Free Recipe Roundup 04.05.2016
[…] One Pot GF Mac & Cheese via IowaGirlEats […]
Johanna 03.28.2016
Made this for Easter dinner, specifically for my niece who is GF. I will now be making Mac and cheese this way ONLY. Amazing! I used Barilla GF Elbows, Velvetta and whole milk. Came out perfect. Thanks for the recipe!!
Kristin 03.28.2016
I’m so glad to hear it, Johanna! Thanks so much for the feedback!
Grace 03.17.2016
I made this tonight with fresh white cheddar. After following the recipe, there was a little more sauce than I like .. (my fault not the recipes… i added too much milk at the end) so i decided to stick it in the oven! 350 for 25 minutes with sprinkled cheese on top and it was AMAZING. this is definitely a new favorite!
Amy 02.24.2016
This is the best gluten free mac n cheese recipe! So simple! I use unsweetened almond milk instead of cow’s milk and raw milk cheddar cheese and my family LOVES it!!
Kristin 02.29.2016
YAYY!! So glad to hear, Amy! Thanks for the feedback!
Jen 12.16.2015
This sounds great! I’ll be making it for my friend’s gluten-free daughter next time she comes over for dinner :) What kind of gluten free pasta do you use? Brown rice? Corn? Thank you!!
Kristin 12.17.2015
I love Delallo gluten-free brown rice pasta – it’s better than any “normal” pasta I’ve ever tried! It’s tricky to find around here so I usually order it on Amazon: If you don’t want to go to those lengths, Barilla’s corn pasta is great too!
Kristen 11.24.2015
Hi! How was this heated up? Plan on making this for thanksgiving but pre assembling it on Wednesday and heating it on thanksgiving. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Billie 10.22.2015
THANK YOU for an easy mac n cheese!! Without butter, flour, and breadcrumbs! Awesome! :)
Paul 11.17.2015
Brilliant! Why pour starch down the drain just to add it again?
Kodie 12.06.2017
She said it was so the noodle did not stick while cooking…. Hope that helps!
Dani 09.17.2015
This looks perfect. I am having a BBQ and would like to at least quadruple the recipe. Any tips? How big of a pan do you need for just the 3 servings? (i am not a great cook)
Kristin 09.17.2015
Hi Dani! I’m not sure this recipe would work to quadruple, unfortunately! I think you could double with success, but maybe not quadruple.
Sarah 06.24.2015
Hi. Have you tried making these into muffins and freezing for Lincoln? Tips?
Kristin 06.24.2015
Hey Sarah! I haven’t only because Lincoln is allergic to dairy. I think if you undercook the noodles a bit then finish the dish in the oven it could work!
Meaghan 06.12.2015
You just saved my dinner, I went to make a box of GF mac and cheese and realized we didn’t have any boxes left. I didn’t have any other supper plans so I made this recipe and it turned out fantastic. I like this method and appreciated the lack of powdered cheese product in our dinner:)
Lynn 06.04.2015
I made this the other night exactly as written (except for using regular pasta) and it was delicious!
Thanks for the great, easy recipe!