The Creamiest Gluten Free Baked Macaroni and Cheese (2024)

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Get ready for the cheesiest, creamiest Gluten Free Baked Macaroni and Cheese of your life! No dry mac and cheese here–only creamy, dreamy comfort food at its finest.

The Creamiest Gluten Free Baked Macaroni and Cheese (1)

Have you ever tried a baked mac and cheese recipe and it came out so dry you threw it away? Even though the recipe promised it was the creamiest mac and cheese ever? Yeah, me too! I almost gave up on making my own baked mac and cheese. And I know of NO restaurant in my area that offers a gluten free baked mac and cheese either, so I was pretty accepting that I would never have it again.

But I did some digging and I eventually found this one recipe that looked promising, especially because of some unusual techniques I hadn’t heard of before. So I tried it and lo and behold, it was amazing! No dry, thick, overly cooked, almost curdled like filling. No siree bob! Not this recipe. I served it to Scott and Brandon and they agreed, it was the best mac and cheese ever. And they’re mac and cheese people, being that they can eat it wherever they go and all. So it was settled. This is my new go-to baked mac and cheese. And I had to share it with you!

The Ingredients

The Creamiest Gluten Free Baked Macaroni and Cheese (2)
  • Gluten free elbow macaroni–I like Ronzoni, but any brand is fine
  • Extra sharp cheddar cheese
  • Sharp cheddar cheese
  • Velveeta cheese -- I love the flavor of cheddar cheese, but adding Velveeta gives us that creamy texture that we all love so much about mac and cheese.
  • Cornstarch or arrowroot -- normally we'd add flour to a roux, but I always substitute flour with cornstarch and it works great.
  • Dry mustard -- dry mustard gives a little bit of an acidic background flavor to balance out the heaviness and richness of the cheeses.

How to Make Baked Macaroni and Cheese

There are a few little tricks I learned when researching baked mac and cheese. They make every difference in the world between a great mac and cheese and a dry one:

  1. Boil the noodles. One of the best tips I learned from my research is to undercook the pasta. Undercooking the pasta by just a couple of minutes helps separate the pasta from the sauce and allows them to join together in the oven, instead of the pasta breaking down into the sauce (like gluten free pasta is well known to do).
  2. Shred your own cheese. This should really go without saying, but shredding your own cheese, to me, is a must in anything where cheese is the star of the recipe.
  3. Make a roux. What is a roux? A roux is just a fat mixed with flour to create a thickening base for many sauces. In this case, melt the butter and add the cornstarch or arrowroot. You can use my xanthan gum-free flour blend (or a store bought blend without xanthan gum), but it’s even easier to use cornstarch so I don’t bother. After the roux has been made and allowed to bubble for one minute, slowly add the milk and then the cream. Adding it slowly will allow you to keep lumps from forming. Then add the spices and continue cooking until the sauce thickens.
  4. Add ⅓ of the cheese to the sauce. We only want to add ⅓ of the cheese to the sauce because we’re going to layer the cheese with the noodles and sauce.
  5. Add the undercooked macaroni to the sauce. Here’s the other CRUCIAL part of making baked macaroni and cheese that’s still creamy and not dry and curdled. (ncal.com) There will be a significantly higher amount of sauce to pasta and that’s what you want. In the oven, it will all “set” and be absolutely perfect.
  6. Begin layering. In a casserole pan (9 by 13 rectangular pan or similar), layer half the noodles and sauce on the bottom, followed by another ⅓ of the cheese. Repeat this layering one more time, ending with the final third of cheese on top.
  7. Bake for a short amount of time, fifteen minutes or so. You can switch to broil at the end to get the cheese nice and bubbly and browned, but watch it closely so it doesn’t burn.

Mac and Cheese FAQs

Can the Mac and Cheese be Made Ahead?

I wouldn’t recommend making this too far in advance, but if you want to assemble it and keep it in the fridge for a few hours prior to serving, that would be fine. Any longer than that and the sauce will absorb too much into the macaroni. You’ll need to add a few minutes to the bake time due to the cold temperature of the entire dish.

Can I Halve or Double the Recipe?

Yes, this recipe works well for reducing or increasing for your needs. Just halve everything or double everything accordingly, making sure to scale up or down the size of your saucepans and casserole dishes.

How is Mac and Cheese Stored?

This macaroni and cheese will keep in the fridge, covered, for 3-5 days. It can be reheated in the microwave in short bursts or in a low oven (300 degrees F), covered with foil so it doesn’t dry out, for 15-20 minutes. You can also freeze it and then thaw it in the fridge overnight before proceeding as above.

Can I Use Other Cheeses?

Feel free to mix up the cheeses in this mac and cheese. Using cheeses like gruyere, fontina, or mozzarella in addition to one of the cheddar cheeses or to replace both of them would work very well. I would, however, at least use the Velveeta in the sauce because it creates a texture like no other.

Possible Add-Ins

I like my mac and cheese straight up, but if you want to add some extra embellishments, here are some suggestions:

  • Bacon
  • Lobster
  • Gluten free breadcrumbs. Mix homemade or store bought gluten free breadcrumbs with a little melted butter and sprinkle them on top of the final layer of cheese. Bake as directed.
  • Vegetables. Broccoli comes to mind because it goes so well with cheese, but cauliflower or roasted butternut squash also sound amazing.
  • Meat. Rotisserie chicken, cubed deli ham, etc would make it a meal in one.
The Creamiest Gluten Free Baked Macaroni and Cheese (3)

It’s September and all the comfort foods will be blowing up your feeds everywhere. Why not start your comfort food journey this fall with the Creamiest Gluten Free Baked Macaroni & Cheese ever?

The Creamiest Gluten Free Baked Macaroni and Cheese (4)

The Creamiest Gluten Free Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Kim

Get ready for the cheesiest, creamiest Gluten Free Baked Macaroni & Cheese of your life! No dry mac and cheese here–only creamy, dreamy comfort food at its finest.

4.45 from 29 votes

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Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 12 servings

Ingredients

  • 16 oz (454g) gluten free elbow macaroni (I like Ronzoni)
  • 8 oz (227g) extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated
  • 8 oz (227g) sharp cheddar cheese, grated
  • 8 oz (227g) Velveeta pasteurized process cheese, cubed
  • ½ cup (113g) butter
  • ½ cup (60g) cornstarch (or arrowroot)
  • 4 cups (960ml) whole milk
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
  • tsp kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon dry mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  • In a large saucepan filled with salty water (salty like the sea), boil the macaroni 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain and rinse and set aside.

  • Preheat the oven to 325° F. Spray a large casserole dish (9 by 13 inches or similar) with nonstick spray.

  • Shred the cheddar cheeses and set aside. Cube the Velveeta cheese and set aside.

  • Melt the butter in the same large saucepan over medium heat. Add the cornstarch and whisk constantly for one minute. Slowly add the milk, a little bit at a time, whisking constantly so no lumps form. Add the rest of the milk and the cream, followed by all the spices.

  • Turn the heat up to medium high and allow the sauce to thicken slightly (until it coats the back of a spoon). Turn the heat off and add ⅓ of the shredded cheddar cheese and stir to melt the cheese.

  • Add the par-cooked macaroni to the sauce and stir to combine. If using, add cubed Velveeta cheese and stir to combine. It doesn't need to be completely melted.

  • Add about ⅓ to ½ of the noodle/sauce mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan (depending on the size of your pan, you will get either 2 or 3 layers). Top with ⅓ to ½ the remaining shredded cheese. Add the rest of the macaroni and sauce on top of the shredded cheese and top with the rest of the cheese.

  • Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. You can switch to broil at the end just to brown the cheese and get it nice and bubbly.

Keyword baked, Gluten Free, macaroni & cheese

Tried this recipe?Tag @letthemeatglutenfreecake on Instagram so we can see!

Recipe adapted from Baking a Moment’s Baked Macaroni & Cheese Recipe

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cynthia Aridas

    Hi Do you have to boil the elbows prior? Is there a way to add more liquid so the elbows cook in the cheese/ milk sauce?

    Reply

    • tracy

      Hi Cynthia:
      If you want to save some steps I saw a stovetop mac and cheese recipe from another platform that boils the noodles in milk and water combination then melts the cheeses into the same pot. But if you want the baked version with the extra creaminess you do have to cook the noodles prior to.
      Cheers

  2. DAG

    I made this and grandkids and son in law loved it. I did not use the mustard, paprika or garlic.

    Reply

  3. Katie Nolden

    Thank you for sharing this recipe! I have made this dish 4-5 times and it has become an absolute favorite in my family. I can't wait to try out some of your other recipes.

    Reply

  4. Rick

    Absolutely delicious!
    Made it twice now. Added caramelized shallots and finely chopped bacon and it was fantastic!

    Reply

  5. Ellen

    I noticed your recipe calls for 16oz of pasta. Most brands of GF pasta seem to be 12oz. Are you using 1 box and not noticing the weight difference or do I need to buy 2 boxes & weigh out 16oz? Thanks.

    Reply

    • Kim

      Yes, unfortunately that is the case. I weigh out 16 ounces from two boxes.

      Reply

  6. Melissa

    Hi.
    In step 5 it says add all the Velveeta and then in step 6, it says to add the cubed Velveeta. Am I using some in step 5 and the rest in step 6?

    Reply

    • Kim

      I'm so sorry, Melissa. I can't believe no one (including myself)found that until now!

      I've fixed it now. Thank you for alerting me to the mistake 🙂

      Reply

  7. Heather

    This recipe is gold. Made it just as is and it was straightforward and delicious. Will definitely save and make again and again!

    Reply

  8. Kevin Schaedig

    Made this tonight for my daughter and I. Added bread crumbs and broiled. So good! Recipe makes alot. Looking to cut recipe in half for normal dinner. Tasted amazing. I will make again.

    Reply

    • Paul

      I love this recipe, I don't have a gluten allergy, but I feel that it's way creamier than the non gluten free. I have siblings & inlaws asking for it all the time

      Reply

  9. Donna Antaramian

    I made this tonight … OMG … delicious. My other Mac and cheese recipes are being tossed.

    Reply

    • Kim

      That's wonderful! So glad you liked it 😍😍😍

      Reply

  10. Cheryl michaels

    More add in ideas. Add a dash of nutmeg to the sauce. We stir in chopped candied jalapeños and cooked, chopped maple cured bacon just before serving for great “adult” Mac and cheese.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

The Creamiest Gluten Free Baked Macaroni and Cheese (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep homemade mac and cheese creamy? ›

You want equal amounts of butter and flour by weight. This is key. Throw in too much flour, and sure the sauce might get thick, but it also might taste floury and be lumpy. Even if you get the roux right, use too much or reduce your sauce down too far, and the macaroni and cheese will turn out dry.

How do you make baked mac and cheese creamy again? ›

The #1 secret to creamy reheated mac and cheese

"Stir in about 2 Tbs. of milk per 1 cup of mac and cheese and reheat," he says. The milk loosens up the pasta and helps create the creamy sauce as it's reheating. Heavy cream works well in this case too and adds an extra touch of richness to the mac and cheese.

Who makes gluten free macaroni and cheese? ›

Beecher's gluten free mac delivers the same delicious flavor and creamy texture as our popular “World's Best” original.

What can I use in mac and cheese instead of heavy cream? ›

Evaporated milk works as a heavy cream substitute that has the benefit of being shelf-stable. Keep a can in the pantry for a quick and easy swap. Simply replace the heavy cream in a recipe with evaporated milk using the same amount called for in your recipe.

Why is my baked mac and cheese not creamy? ›

Cook your noodles in milk instead of water

Cooking your noodles in milk instead of water makes your resulting mac and cheese creamier. According to The Kitchn, cooking your noodles in milk instead of water makes the sauce creamy before you even add the cheese sauce.

What are the three best cheeses for mac and cheese? ›

What Is the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese? Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

Why isn't my mac and cheese sauce creamy? ›

This is due to the pasta absorbing more liquid over time, and the sauce itself becoming more “solid” as it cools. So, to ensure a creamy mac and cheese, make the sauce just a little looser than you think it needs to be. (Add more milk, a tablespoon at a time to adjust the consistency).

Why add flour to baked mac and cheese? ›

Both the flour and the cheese help thicken the sauce.

How to stop macaroni cheese from drying out? ›

use more liquid (usually milk), or even moist cheese. I put it in the microwave with a small bowl of water next to it and when it comes out it's generally warm and soft. How do I keep refrigerated Mac and cheese from drying out after reheating? Add a little milk when you reheat it.

Does gluten free macaroni taste different? ›

In fact, in blind taste tests most people we've cooked for tend to prefer the gluten-free noodles. Overall, the only differences reported are that gluten free varieties are slightly grainier and have a more hearty, nutty flavor that pairs deliciously with any sauce.

Is Kraft gluten free mac and cheese celiac friendly? ›

No symptoms and it was a delicious treat. Tastes just like the regular Kraft Mac and Cheese. kayla8991 I have celiac and it's been fine for me! d0natell i have tried it an really enjoyed it! as a college student it's staple for me.

Is Annie's mac and cheese gluten-free? ›

MAC & CHEESE: Our gluten-free macaroni and cheese is made with rich real cheese for the ultimate yumminess. WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS: No artificial flavors, synthetic colors or preservatives.

Is coconut cream better than heavy cream? ›

Heavy cream has signficantly more Vitamin D than coconut cream. Coconut cream is a great source of dietary fiber and iron, and it is an excellent source of potassium. Both coconut cream and heavy cream are high in calories and saturated fat. Coconut cream has signficantly less cholesterol than heavy cream.

Should you use milk or cream in mac and cheese? ›

Creamier Mac and Cheese Starts with Milk

Instead of water, cook your pasta in milk! Now, you usually add milk later in the cooking process to make the cheese sauce, but for an extra touch of luscious creaminess, incorporate the milk at the very beginning of cooking.

Can I use light cream instead of heavy cream? ›

For most cooking purposes, however, the three items are interchangeable. Similarly, light cream, which has a fat content of around 20%, can be used in place of heavy cream for most cooking and baking projects, though you may find the results lacking somewhat in texture and moisture.

How do you keep macaroni and cheese gooey? ›

Starting the pasta in cold water works just as well as adding it to already-boiling water but cooks faster and with less energy. A combination of multiple thickeners and emulsifying agents—cornstarch, evaporated milk, eggs, and American cheese—ensures an extra-gooey texture with real cheese flavor.

How do you keep mac and cheese sauce from breaking? ›

Low and slow is the key

To achieve a velvety, hom*ogenous cheese sauce, you must slowly heat our cheese. The curdles in a cheese sauce come as a result of overheating the proteins in the cheese, which causes them to separate from the fat and water content, per The Washington Post.

How to stop mac and cheese from solidifying? ›

Here are a few tips to keep in mind: Avoid adding cold pasta to a hot cheese sauce, as this can cause the sauce to solidify and the emulsion of the cheese to weaken. Instead, make sure to keep the pasta hot while preparing the cheese sauce and add it to the sauce while it's still warm.

How do you stabilize mac and cheese sauce? ›

FOR THE cheese sauce:

Like all classic macaroni and cheese recipes, this baked version begins with a béchamel sauce. Béchamel is made from butter, flour and milk. The starch in the flour stabilizes the melting cheeses which prevents it from breaking or turning stringy or gritty.

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