Easy Gluten Free Macaroni and Cheese that's ready as soon as the gluten free pasta is done cooking.

This gluten free mac and cheese recipe uses minimal ingredients and only requires a few simple steps.

This gluten free macaroni and cheese recipe is gluten-free, nut-free, and egg-free.

Looking for more comfort foods? You'll want to make my Gluten Free Pizza Recipe. My Gluten Free Chicken and Biscuits are also simple to make and delicious.

Gluten Free Mac and Cheese

Gluten free mac and cheese is a staple in our house. I have two kids, and if they could eat mac and cheese every day they would.

This recipe is also great for adults who love pasta and cheese. I don't have a dairy-free version as this recipe uses cheese as a main ingredient.

Tips for making gluten free macaroni and cheese

Follow the manufacturer directions for boiling the gluten free pasta

After you drain the water from your pasta, rinse it with cold water. This will help prevent it from continuing to cook.

Add the cheese sauce immediately after rinsing the pasta with cold water.

The gluten free mac and cheese sauce is pretty fail-proof as long as you keep stirring it while it cooks.

How to make gluten free macaroni and cheese sauce

You can make gluten free mac and cheese sauce in a few simple steps. Most people have the ingredients on hand.

While your pasta is boiling, add the half and half to a small saucepan. Bring the half and half to a boil.
Add in the spices and salt, and mix until combined.
Add in the sharp cheddar and stir.
Continue to stir until the cheese is melted and all the ingredients are combined and smooth.

These steps match the numbered photos above to give you a visual on how to make gluten free macaroni and cheese sauce. For the full list of ingredients and the recipe, please see below.

How to make white cheddar mac and cheese

If you prefer white cheddar gluten free mac and cheese, simple swap out the sharp cheddar for a white cheddar or mozzarella, follow the rest of the gluten free mac and cheese recipe instructions as written. For a spicier mac and cheese, use Colby jack or add more spices.

Gluten Free Pasta

While I have many gluten free pasta brands, here are a few of my favorite gluten free pastas to use when making gluten free mac and cheese.

Jovial Gluten Free Elbows
Jovial Gluten Free Penne
Jovial Gluten Free Shells
Pamela's Elbows
Pamela's Penne

We have many more favorite gluten free pasta brands but those are the ones we stick to when making gluten free macaroni and cheese.

Gluten Free Kraft Mac and Cheese

Kraft now makes a gluten free kraft mac and cheese and they are receiving mixed reviews. Some people feel that it's the equivalent of traditional kraft boxed mac and cheese, while others disagree.

More and more stores are now carrying gluten free kraft mac and cheese, making it a quick and easy option.

We prefer our homemade gluten free mac and cheese and feel it's just as quick to make as the gluten free kraft mac and cheese.

Please always check labels before you purchase.

I personally like making homemade gluten free mac and cheese but that doesn't mean I never buy the boxed kind.

I find homemade macaroni and cheese to be creamier, and cheesier and I can make it exactly the way I like it.

It also tends to be less expensive to make from scratch gluten free macaroni and cheese vs. buying the boxed kind.

If you're looking for a dairy-free version you might like this Dairy-Free Macaroni and Cheese from Allergy Free Alaska.

Did you make this gluten free macaroni and cheese recipe? Please leave me a comment below letting me know what you thought and what type of pasta you used!

Yield: 6 servings

Gluten Free Macaroni and Cheese

Name: Gluten Free Macaroni and Cheese
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 16 oz. gluten-free elbows macaroni; 1 cup half and half (or heavy cream); 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese; 1/2 teaspoon cayenne (or more for more spice); 1/4 teaspoon onion powder; 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder (optional); 1/2 teaspoon salt

Easy Gluten Free Macaroni and Cheese that's ready as soon as the gluten free pasta is done cooking.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

16 oz. gluten-free elbows macaroni
1 cup half and half (or heavy cream)
1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese
½ teaspoon cayenne (or more for more spice)
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon mustard powder (optional)
½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

Cook pasta per the instruction on the packaging. Rinse cooked pasta in cold water; set aside.
Add the half and half to a small cooking pot and bring just to a boil, stirring occasionally.
Remove from the heat. Add in the cayenne, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and mustard powder and stir until combined.
Add in the sharp cheddar cheese and stir until combined and the cheese is melted.
Add cheese sauce to the pasta and toss to combine.
Serve hot.

Notes

Follow the manufacturer directions for boiling the gluten free pasta
After you drain the water from your pasta, rinse it with cold water. This will help prevent it from continuing to cook.
Add the cheese sauce immediately after rinsing the pasta with cold water.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1.5 cups
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 436Total Fat: 24gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 567mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 21g

This nutrition info is based on the exact ingredients and brands that I used a the time. It may not be 100% accurate. Please check your ingredients nutrition labels.

a fork in mac in cheese in a white bowl with the text overlay gluten free macaroni and cheese

Thanks for sharing!

Comments

Khristina

January 07, 2020 at 6:36 am

Chrystal,

My son is a teenager with T1D and celiac! Making diabetic/ gluten free foods that teenagers like is a challenge. You are truly a lifesaver. Thank you for all you do!

- chrystal
  
  January 07, 2020 at 2:09 pm
  
  Awe, I'm so glad I was able to create a recipe that works for him. I hope he loves it.
  
  Best,
  Chrystal
  
- robin j dopson
  
  December 22, 2020 at 9:12 am
  
  I know he loves mac and cheese too, my boys did. who doesn't love it?
  
Erika

January 20, 2020 at 6:52 am

Hello I was wondering if we have a cayenne allergy what other pepper or seasoning can be used in place of it. Thank you so much. You have changed gluten free cooking for my whole family!

- chrystal
  
  January 20, 2020 at 7:58 am
  
  Hi! You can use paprika, or leave it out.
  
  Best,
  Chrystal
  
Laila

March 21, 2020 at 2:57 pm

The first ingredient is 16oz of gluten-free pasta, but I have never found a single brand - even the one you link in the recipe - which is more than 12oz. I'm assuming this is just copied from a gluten-based recipe and given no consideration to the difference. Is this recipe acceptable for a 12oz box of pasta? Or is this a multi-box'er?

- chrystal
  
  March 21, 2020 at 3:05 pm
  
  Hi Laila,
  I totally get it. I feel like every brand is different, with some boxes being 8oz., some 10 oz. and some 12. This is a multi-box recipe. You can always use 8 oz. or 10 oz. etc, and have more cheese sauce, or freeze the extra cheese sauce (for up to 3 months). You can also halve the cheese sauce recipe, if you want to make less. I hope that helps.
  
  Best,
  Chrystal
  
- J2
  
  July 03, 2020 at 11:29 am
  
  I found a 16oz bag of gluten free elbow noodles. The brand is called Tinkyada.
  
  - chrystal
    
    July 03, 2020 at 7:13 pm
    
    Thank you for sharing! I sometimes use the 16oz. bags of gluten free pasta from Trader Joe's.
    
    Best,
    Chrystal
    
Sherry

May 28, 2020 at 8:57 pm

Can I make this and have has leftover? Does it freeze well?

- chrystal
  
  May 29, 2020 at 6:03 am
  
  Hi Sherry,
  I haven't tried freezing it yet, but it's great as leftovers. You can also cut the recipe in half if needed.
  
  Best,
  Chrystal
  
- Lucie
  
  April 29, 2021 at 4:05 am
  
  If you're going to freeze I would make a batch just for freezing. The key to freezing pasta is to have it under cooked so it won't be a messy mush when you thaw. I have tried multiple GF pasta's, and believe it or not, Walmart brand GF pastas are our favorite.
  
  - chrystal
    
    April 29, 2021 at 7:50 am
    
    Thank you for sharing, Lucie.
    
    Best,
    Chrystal
    
Wendy

June 22, 2020 at 12:48 pm

Thank you. I’m going to make this for dinner. I was wondering if this can be baked with some Panko crumbs.

- chrystal
  
  June 23, 2020 at 9:58 am
  
  Sure! You can add them to the top for a little crunch.
  
  Best,
  Chrystal
  
Louise

December 20, 2020 at 9:19 am

Hi, New to the GF world. Wondering how this reheats as GF noodles seem to get mushy..... want to do ahead for a Christmas buffet! Thoughts please?

- chrystal
  
  December 21, 2020 at 8:09 am
  
  Hi Louise,
  I think it depends on the noodle you use. My trick is to watch it carefully and to drain the water just before I would consider them done.
  
  Best,
  Chrystal
  
cinthya

December 26, 2020 at 8:58 pm

Hello,
I am allergic to all types of mustard. can we leave it out or will it affect the recipe?

- chrystal
  
  December 27, 2020 at 7:20 am
  
  You can leave it out.
  
  Best,
  Chrystal
  
  - Emma
    
    March 29, 2021 at 7:49 pm
    
    Can’t wait to try. Looks like a good one for kids on Easter as a side to the ham! If we are traveling do you suggest putting it in the oven once you arrive to heat up again before serving? Thank you!
    
    - chrystal
      
      March 30, 2021 at 6:50 am
      
      Hi Emma,
      Yes, you can re[heat the mac and cheese in the oven or a microwave.
      
      Best,
      Chrystal
      
Rebecca

February 14, 2021 at 1:02 pm

Barilla and Ronzoni make a good gluten free pasta.