Easy Oven-Baked Gluten Free Mac and Cheese Recipe
A healthy twist on the American classic “mac n cheese,” this dish is dreamy, creamy, cheesy and has a little kick from the secret topping. The best gluten free mac and cheese! It will surely be a crowd-pleaser for kids and adults!
Servings: 8 people
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter or vegan butter
- 2 tbsp gluten free 1:1 flour I like King Arthur Baking
- 2 cups organic milk or almond milk
- ½ tsp salt more to taste
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 8 oz cheddar cheese shredded - feel free to sub vegan shreds for dairy free
- 4 oz monterey jack cheese shredded - feel free to sub vegan shreds
- 12 oz gluten free elbow pasta I like Jovial Foods Elbows
- 1 cup Simple Mills sea salt crackers crushed. Any gluten free crackers or chips will work!
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Boil pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- Meanwhile, make the cheese sauce. Heat the butter in a sauce pan over medium heat. Once melted, add in the gluten free flour and whisk to form a roux paste.
- Slowly pour in milk while continuing to stir. Continue stirring over medium heat until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes. Add in salt, pepper, and shredded cheeses. Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Add the cooked pasta to greased casserole dish, and pour cheese sauce over top. Mix to combine. Add crushed crackers on top. Bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese is bubbling and topping is golden brown. Enjoy!
Notes
Expert Tips
- Variations: Feel free to make simple swaps and substitutions to make this dish your own. Use white cheddar or sharp cheddar cheese instead of mild or medium yellow cheddar. Add shredded parmesan cheese if desired. Spice it up with garlic powder or more salt and black pepper. And let me know in the comments how it turns out!
- Pasta: I like the Jovial brand, but use your favorite box of gluten-free noodles. I’ve seen Barilla gluten-free pasta at grocery stores as well. Just be sure to check the label!
Serving Tips
- This gluten free mac and cheese is the perfect side dish for so many occasions! Serve at your next holiday, potluck, or weeknight dinner!
- For extra protein, choose a gluten-free protein pasta (like Chickpea) option or serve this dish on the side of chicken, steak, or your favorite go-to main dish.
Storage Tips
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Warm up in the microwave or oven and enjoy!
Nutrition
Calories: 521kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 761mg | Potassium: 127mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 580IU | Calcium: 384mg | Iron: 1mg