Happy Friday y’all. We made it to the end of the week, yay! And what better way to celebrate than with a little comfort food. I haven’t shared a recipe on here in a long time. Remember when I use to do it monthly? One of those recipes from long ago, the Chocolate Chip Walnut Bread, is really well liked. So when the lovely Catalina from Sweet and Savory Meals offered to let me share this Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese recipe of hers with you all, I of course said yes. I think you’ll really like it. Let me know if you give it a try.
If you are looking for a creamy and comfort meal that is also gluten-free, then this Mac and Cheese recipe is for you! Not only is this recipe delicious, but it is also super quick and easy to prepare. This dish is loaded with flavors and can be easily modified based on your own preference.
You can use pretty basic gluten-free pantry ingredients that you already have at home. The main ingredient to use here is the pasta. I love using gluten-free elbow macaroni as it works best for this dish. It absorbs the cheeses perfectly, making this meal super creamy and flavorful.
You can enjoy this recipe as is, or pair it with other ingredients as a side-dish. No matter how you will serve it, this dish will quickly become your go-to family dinner!
What do you need to make gluten-free mac and cheese?
For this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
-1lb gluten-free pasta (I use elbow macaroni)
-1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
-4 tablespoons unsalted butter
-1/4 cup gluten-free flour
-4 cups of regular milk (avoid nonfat milk)
-1 pound of shredded cheese. Feel free to use your favorite type or a mixture of them. (Cheddar, mozzarella, Colby, all work great).
-Salt and ground black pepper to taste
How to make gluten-free mac and cheese?
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2.Meanwhile, boil the pasta according to the package instruction. Once cooked (al dente), drain the water.
3.Next, make the cheese sauce. Place a skillet over medium heat, and add butter to it. Mix until the butter melts. Then, add flour and whisk until combined. Slowly, pour the milk into the pan and gently mix the sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Brig to simmer for about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat, and add the shredded cheese to it. Mix to combine the cheese and let it slowly melt in the pan.
4.Next, grease a casserole dish with some extra-virgin olive oil. Pour half of the pasta into the baking dish and cover with about 1/2 of the cheese sauce. Then, add the remaining half of cooked pasta on top, and evenly cover with remaining cheese sauce.
5.Bake for 30 minutes, until the top is golden brown.
What else can I add to this dish?
If you are looking for more flavors, you can add some of the followings to it:
- Crumbled bacon or bacon bits
- Sliced jalapeno for a spicier kick
- Shredded chicken
- Gluten Free Bread crumbs
- Veggies such as chopped broccoli, peas
- Tuna
- Ham
- Tomatoes
- Cooked Ground beef
- 1lb gluten-free pasta (I use elbow macaroni)
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup gluten-free flour
- 4 cups of regular milk (avoid nonfat milk)
- 1 pound of shredded cheese. Feel free to use your favorite type or a mixture of them. (Cheddar, mozzarella, Colby, all work great).
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Meanwhile, boil the pasta according to the package instruction. Once cooked (al dente), drain the water.
- Next, make the cheese sauce. Place a skillet over medium heat, and add butter to it. Mix until the butter melts. Then, add flour and whisk until combined. Slowly, pour the milk into the pan and gently mix the sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Brig to simmer for about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat, and add the shredded cheese to it. Mix to combine the cheese and let it slowly melt in the pan.
- Next, grease a casserole dish with some extra-virgin olive oil. Pour half of the pasta into the baking dish and cover with about ½ of the cheese sauce. Then, add the remaining half of cooked pasta on top, and evenly cover with remaining cheese sauce.
- Bake for 30 minutes, until the top is golden brown.
What to serve with gluten-free mac and cheese?
This is a perfect dinner on its own. However, if you want to pair it with other gluten-free dishes, I would recommend some of the following:
- Blackened Chicken – This is a protein-rich meal, that is also healthy, keto-friendly, and gluten-free.
- Carne Asada – If you are looking for a super tender beef recipe to pair with mac and cheese, this is the one to go! The meat is juicy and flavorful.
Can I make mac and cheese dairy-free?
If you are looking for a dairy-free version of this recipe, you will have to use vegan-based cheese. Also, you can substitute the butter with Earth Balance butter. It is vegan, and it will work great here.
How to store it?
Use an airtight container to store leftovers. You can refrigerate it for up to 4 days. To freeze, use a freezer-proof dish, and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat prior to serving.
A little bit about me…
My name is Catalina Castravet, and I am the owner of Sweet and Savory Meals. I am a professional chef and food blogger who is always on the lookouts for tasty and delicious recipes. Over the past 10 years, my team and I have created well over one thousand recipes, starting from quick breakfasts, to delicious dinner meals. All the recipes are shared for free with our beloved followers and readers.
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