Gluten Free Macaroni and Cheese
Gluten Free Living – 2021
Gluten Free Macaroni and Cheese is absolutely awesome! No kidding. This is one of the BEST macaroni and cheese dishes you’ll ever eat. I started with my own homemade version of macaroni and cheese but substituted gluten free rotini noodles, gluten free bread crumbs and gluten free flour. This dish is so creamy, so rich, so delicious and, on top of that, it’s even wonderful reheated. Yes!
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I use heavy whipping cream, half-and-half and three different kinds of cheese to achieve the extremely creamy sauce in this recipe. If you want a super-duper Mac & Cheese dish, don’t try to substitute fat-free or low-fat ANYTHING!
You won’t get the same level of creaminess, nor will the dish come out right. While this Meatless Monday entree is gluten free, it is NOT low-calorie. It is one of those casseroles you make when you want to splurge on yourself with comfort food extraordinaire! Gluten Free Macaroni and Cheese is so filling and satisfying you won’t even realize you’re eating gluten free if you didn’t know it.
I love Mac & Cheese and have made several versions of it including one with butternut squash, one with bacon, one with bacon and Ranch dressing, one with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, one that’s the cheesiest and one with chicken. Every one is absolutely mouthwatering. But this version I have made many times over the years so it has to be my favorite.
If you’re looking for a spectacular Mac & Cheese dish but need a gluten free version, I can’t recommend Gluten Free Macaroni and Cheese high enough. If you don’t need to have the dish gluten free, then feel free to substitute regular pasta, flour and bread crumbs. I’ve made this recipe lots of times that way too and it’s a treasure.
I use red pepper flakes along with cayenne pepper to give the recipe that needed oomph so it’s not bland. I added cayenne pepper in the sauce as well as on top of the casserole before adding the bread crumb topping. It’s perfect–not too hot, but not so little that you can’t taste any difference.
However, if you prefer really spicy dishes, then feel free to increase the amount of cayenne pepper sprinkled over top of the noodles before adding the topping. Either way, you will find this one of the BEST Mac & Cheese recipes you’ve ever tasted. While I originally posted this recipe in 2016, it is so delicious I’ve decided to republish it so newer followers can enjoy this great dish.
Gluten Free Macaroni and Cheese is one of the most awesome Mac & Cheese recipes ever!
Every forkful is divine!
If you enjoy Mac & Cheese, you’ll love this gluten free version.
Here’s what I did.
I used these ingredients plus gluten free flour and half-and-half.
Melt one stick butter in a large Dutch oven or stockpot over medium heat. Add orange and red pepper peppers, onions and garlic and saute about 5-8 minutes or until veggies are tender. Add gluten free flour. Whisk to combine.
Slowly add heavy whipping cream – about one-third cup at a time and whisk until all the cream is incorporated.
Add half-and-half about 1/3 cup at a time and continue whisking until all is incorporated into the sauce.
Add seasonings and cook over low to medium heat until mixture thickens.
Add cheddar and monterey jack cheeses. Stir to combine. Heat through until cheese melts.
Meanwhile, prepare crumb topping: Melt remaining stick of butter in a baking dish or measuring cup. Add Italian style gluten free bread crumbs and parmesan cheese. Stir to combine. Set aside.
Meanwhile, cook gluten free noodles in a large stockpot until just a little more than al dente. Drain and add to cheese sauce. Stir gently to combine.
Grease an 8×12″ glass baking dish. Pour macaroni mixture into dish. Sprinkle top lightly with additional cayenne pepper (or use more if you like your dishes spicier).
Sprinkle bread crumb topping over top of casserole.
Bake at 350 for about 15-20 minutes until bread crumbs are golden brown and mixture is bubbly and heated through.
Serve Gluten Free Macaroni and Cheese on Meatless Mondays!
I guarantee this Mac & Cheese is so good, it will go fast!
If you have family members that have gluten intolerance this is a great way to eat your favorite dish but without getting sick!
You can see how creamy the recipe is in this picture.
This extra creamy and gooey Macaroni and Cheese casserole is the perfect comfort food meal, especially if you have gluten intolerance.
This amazing Mac & Cheese will knock your socks off!
Here’s the recipe.
GLUTEN FREE MACARONI AND CHEESE
(My own concoction)
Gluten Free Macaroni and Cheese
Equipment
- 1 large stock pot with lid
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- 1 colander
- 1 wooden spoon
- 1 large sauce pan
- 1 whisk
- 1 small mixing bowl
- 1 8x12" glass baking dish
Ingredients
- 12 oz. box Ronzoni gluten free rotini noodles (or their GF elbow macaroni noodles)
- 1/3 cup onion chopped
- 1/2 red bell pepper diced
- 1/2 orange bell pepper diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3/4 cup gluten free flour or use regular flour
- 1 pint half-and-half (16 ounces)
- 1 pint heavy whipping cream (16 ounces)
- 1 tsp. dried parsley
- 1 tsp. pink Himalayan sea salt
- 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
- 3 dashes red pepper flakes or more, if desired
- 3 dashes cayenne pepper or more, if desired
- 1 cup unsalted butter divided use (2 sticks)
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup Monterey jack cheese shredded
- 1 cup 4C brand Italian style gluten free bread crumbs or use regular bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese shredded
- 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper as desired
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350.°
- Prepare Gluten Free noodles according to package directions.
- Cook a little longer than al dente, but less than “tender.”
- Drain in colander.
- Meanwhile, prepare cheese sauce.
- Melt 1 stick butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add onion, bell peppers and garlic and sauté about 5-8 minutes or until veggies are tender.
- Whisk in Gluten Free flour; reduce heat to low.
- Slowly add whipping cream and whisk until incorporated.
- Add half-and-half and do the same.
- Add parsley, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper.
- Cook over low to medium heat until sauce is thick.
- Add cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses and stir to combine.
- Heat slightly until cheese melts.
- Remove from heat and set aside.
- Combine 1 stick melted butter, Gluten Free bread crumbs and parmesan cheese.
- Stir with a fork until well combined.
- Drain noodles and add to Dutch oven with cheese sauce.
- Stir to combine well.
- Grease an 8x12” glass baking dish.
- Add macaroni mixture.
- Sprinkle evenly and lightly with cayenne pepper.
- Sprinkle bread crumb mixture over top.
- Bake, uncovered, at 350° for about 15-20 minutes or until crumbs are golden brown and mixture is heated through.
- Sprinkle top with fresh, minced parsley, if desired.
Notes
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen
Nutrition
Gluten Free Macaroni and Cheese is terrific. You will probably want multiple helpings!
Gluten Free Macaroni and Cheese also reheats very nicely. The sauce remains thick and creamy.
I couldn’t get enough of this amazing dish.
This recipe is so delicious it will be hard staying away from second and third helpings!
You may also enjoy these delicious recipes!
Southern-Style Macaroni and Cheese
Butternut Squash Macaroni and Cheese
Roasted Butternut Squash and Bacon Pasta
Recipe originally published November 26, 2016.
Gluten Free Macaroni and Cheese
Equipment
- 1 large stock pot with lid
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- 1 colander
- 1 wooden spoon
- 1 large sauce pan
- 1 whisk
- 1 small mixing bowl
- 1 8×12" glass baking dish
Ingredients
- 12 oz. box Ronzoni gluten free rotini noodles (or their GF elbow macaroni noodles)
- 1/3 cup onion chopped
- 1/2 red bell pepper diced
- 1/2 orange bell pepper diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3/4 cup gluten free flour or use regular flour
- 1 pint half-and-half (16 ounces)
- 1 pint heavy whipping cream (16 ounces)
- 1 tsp. dried parsley
- 1 tsp. pink Himalayan sea salt
- 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
- 3 dashes red pepper flakes or more, if desired
- 3 dashes cayenne pepper or more, if desired
- 1 cup unsalted butter divided use (2 sticks)
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup Monterey jack cheese shredded
- 1 cup 4C brand Italian style gluten free bread crumbs or use regular bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese shredded
- 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper as desired
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350.°
- Prepare Gluten Free noodles according to package directions.
- Cook a little longer than al dente, but less than “tender.”
- Drain in colander.
- Meanwhile, prepare cheese sauce.
- Melt 1 stick butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add onion, bell peppers and garlic and sauté about 5-8 minutes or until veggies are tender.
- Whisk in Gluten Free flour; reduce heat to low.
- Slowly add whipping cream and whisk until incorporated.
- Add half-and-half and do the same.
- Add parsley, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper.
- Cook over low to medium heat until sauce is thick.
- Add cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses and stir to combine.
- Heat slightly until cheese melts.
- Remove from heat and set aside.
- Combine 1 stick melted butter, Gluten Free bread crumbs and parmesan cheese.
- Stir with a fork until well combined.
- Drain noodles and add to Dutch oven with cheese sauce.
- Stir to combine well.
- Grease an 8×12” glass baking dish.
- Add macaroni mixture.
- Sprinkle evenly and lightly with cayenne pepper.
- Sprinkle bread crumb mixture over top.
- Bake, uncovered, at 350° for about 15-20 minutes or until crumbs are golden brown and mixture is heated through.
- Sprinkle top with fresh, minced parsley, if desired.