Best Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese – Easy Homemade
This gluten-free mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. You can make this easy recipe on the stovetop or pour it into a casserole dish, top it with breadcrumbs, and bake until it has a golden, toasty top. It’s more delicious than a boxed macaroni and cheese and will soon be a family favorite! The combination of cheddar and mozzarella adds creaminess to the recipe.
When I started a gluten-free diet 15 years ago, macaroni and cheese was a recipe I missed. Mac and Cheese is a classic recipe that speaks to that feeling of home. Kids and adults love this cheesy recipe! Baked gluten-free mac and cheese can be a side dish or the main dish on your supper table. It’s fast, easy, and can be whipped up in 20-30 minutes. Also, if someone in your home has celiac disease, they will appreciate this yummy dish. This recipe has the classic flavor of macaroni and cheese!
What you’ll love about this recipe:
Recipe Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this hearty Gluten Free Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
- 12 oz box dried gluten-free pasta (Use your favorite gluten-free pasta)
- ¼ cup butter
- 3 tablespoons gluten-free all-purpose flour (I used Bob’s Red Mills)
- 2 cups whole milk
- 8 ounces mild cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 ounces mozzarella, shredded
- ½ teaspoon salt or more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 20 gluten-free parmesan crackers (I used Good Thins)
- Parsley
Ingredient Notes and Sources
- We used our favorite Barilla Gluten-Free Elbow Macaroni (elbow pasta)
- We used Good Thins Parmesan and Garlic Crackers for the breadcrumbs, but you can also use your favorite gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Gluten-Free Mac is delicious with a variety of cheeses. We have made it with asiago, parmesan, Colby cheese, etc. Add any of your favorite cheeses.
How To Make Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese
Full instructions are in the recipe card below.
- Fill a large pot about three-quarters full with water, add a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil.
- Add the gluten-free pasta, lower the heat to medium, and cook until just barely al dente or even slightly undercooked. *Do not overcook the pasta; it will be mushy when baked.
- While the pasta cooks, prepare the cheese sauce by first melting the butter in a
saucepan. - Add in the flour and whisk together in the melted butter.
- Add in the milk and seasonings and whisk together. Let it simmer over low heat. After a
After a few minutes, the mixture should thicken into a creamy sauce. - Once the mixture has thickened, please remove it from the heat, add the grated cheese, and mix until it is melted.
- Add the cooked and drained pasta into the homemade cheese sauce and mix until combined.
- Add the cheesy pasta to a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and spread evenly.
- Take the gluten-free parmesan crackers and crush them in a bag with a rolling pin until
they are thin crumbs. Sprinkle the crumbs all over the top on the mac and cheese. - Place mac and cheese casserole in the oven and set to broil for 3-5 minutes until the crumbs have just turned golden brown. You can sprinkle extra cheese on top if you desire.
- Sprinkle a bit of chopped parsley on top, serve and enjoy
Step-by-Step Recipe Photos
Expert Tips
- If you’re preparing this dish ahead of time, you can store it in the fridge and warm it up in the oven at 350 for about 10 minutes. Don’t overbake it in the oven so the mac and cheese doesn’t dry out!
- You can use sharp cheddar cheese, but my family prefers mild.
- Make sure to undercook the pasta before combining it with the cheese. It will continue to cook in the oven. This prevents mushy pasta.
Storage and Reheating
Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container or wrapped tightly with plastic wrap.
Additions and Substitutions
- You can use your favorite gluten-free brown rice pasta, quinoa pasta, Barilla gluten-free penne, or any pasta your family likes.
- This gluten-free baked mac and cheese recipe is delicious with butternut squash or steamed broccoli. When you mix the pasta and cheese sauce, you can add the cooked vegetables and bake them with the breadcrumbs.
FAQ’s about Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese
Full-fat milk, cheese, and butter can add creaminess to your recipe. However, be sure not to overbake in the oven.
I hope you loved this Gluten-Free Mac’ n Cheese recipe! If you make it, please leave a rating so I know you liked it!
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Best Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese – Easy Homemade
This gluten-free mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. You can make this easy recipe on the stovetop or pour it into a casserole dish, top it with breadcrumbs, and bake until it has a golden, toasty top. It’s more delicious than a boxed macaroni and cheese and will soon be a family favorite!
- Prep Time: 10 Minutes
- Cook Time: 20 Minutes
- Total Time: 30 Minutes
- Yield: 6 Servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 12 oz box dried gluten-free pasta (I used Barilla)
- 1/4 cup butter
- 3 tablespoons gluten-free all-purpose flour (I used Bob’s Red Mills)
- 2 cups milk
- 8 ounces mild cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 ounces mozzarella, shredded
- 1/2 teaspoon salt or more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 20 gluten-free parmesan crackers (I used Good Thins)
- Parsley
Instructions
- Fill a large pot about three quarters full with water, add in a pinch of salt, and bring to a
- boil. Add in the gluten-free pasta and cook until just barely al dente, or even slightly undercooked. Do not overcook the pasta, or it will be mushy when baked.
- While the pasta cooks, prepare the cheese sauce by first melting the butter in a
saucepan. - Add in the flour and whisk together.
- Add in the milk and seasonings and whisk together. Let it simmer over low heat. After a
few minutes, the mixture should thicken. - Once the mixture has thickened, remove from the heat and add in the grated cheese then mix until all the cheese is melted.
- Add the cooked and drained pasta into the cheese sauce and mix until combined.
- Add the mac and cheese to a 9 x 13 inch baking dish and spread evenly.
- Take the gluten-free parmesan crackers and crush them in a bag with a rolling pin until
they are thin crumbs. Sprinkle the crumbs all over the top on the mac and cheese. - Place mac and cheese casserole in the oven set to broil for 3-5 minutes, until the crumbs have just browned. You can sprinkle extra cheese on top if you desire.
- Sprinkle a bit of chopped parsley on top, serve and enjoy
Notes
-
- If you’re preparing this dish ahead of time, you can store it in the fridge and warm it up in the oven at 350 for about 10 minutes. Don’t overbake it in the oven so the mac and cheese doesn’t dry out!
-
- You can use sharp cheddar cheese, but my family prefers mild.
-
- Make sure to undercook the pasta before combining it with the cheese. It will continue to cook in the oven. This prevents mushy pasta.
