This easy gluten free mac and cheese is made on the stovetop, and takes 20 minutes or less. Make this crowd-pleasing gf meal in 1 of 3 ways.
What makes this recipe, with 3 varieties, special?
This recipe is a 3-in-1, so the ingredient list might seem intimidating. But let me show you the way, and you’ll probably be able to commit your favorite variety of the recipe to memory. Then, it will really be yours.
Baked gf macaroni and cheese is more like a casserole, and it calls for eggs. You can easily make that whole recipe ahead of time, freeze or refrigerate it, and then bake it when you’re ready.
But these 3 recipe varieties are all egg-free. The cheese sauces must be made right before serving, but you can boil the pasta ahead of time, toss it with some olive oil, then cover it and keep it at room temperature for hours (or even a day, when the weather isn’t steamy).
The first variety, pictured above, is the roux-based macaroni and cheese. It calls for a few more ingredients, but it makes a just-right balance of creamy and cheesy.
The second variety, called queso-style, is pulled from our recipe for gluten free cheese sauce. It makes a thick, rich sauce that’s the easiest way to make the cheesiest sauce.
The third variety, called “almost-instant,” calls for cheddar cheese powder. It’s a specialty ingredient that you probably don’t already have, but it tastes like The Box and it’s the only type of gf mac and cheese that my non-gooey-cheese eating gluten free son loves.
Roux-based gf mac & cheese
The original way I made stovetop gf macaroni and cheese was always using a roux, which is just a cooked mixture of butter and a simple flour blend. The roux thickens the sauce and creates a creamy texture without just adding more cheese.
After making the roux, simply add the milks and the cheese with a bit of seasoning. Mix in the prepared gluten free pasta, and dinner’s ready.
There are ways to make this even easier by tweaking the method to cook the dried pasta in the same saucepan first, but you have to use more liquids and the overall method isn’t any easier. In fact, I think it’s more complicated and confusing.
This is perfect for a weeknight, or a Friday night when you’re just.plain.tired. It’s also convenient for the holiday table since, well, it doesn’t use the oven.
Queso-style gf mac & cheese
The gluten free cheese sauce that we use for queso is perfect for making macaroni and cheese. We discussed that method in that recipe, too.
All it calls for is some freshly shredded cheese tossed in a bit of starch to help thicken the sauce (but without a roux), some milk, and some Kraft deli-style cheese slices.
Those Kraft slices aren’t the “processed cheese” we all know, but rather they’re real cheese. If you can’t find the right cheese slices, I bet you could use an equal amount, by weight, of Velveeta instead.
I promise it’s easy to make a roux-based sauce. Once you master the technique, you’ll begin to see how useful it is for recipes like gluten free turkey gravy.
But if you don’t feel comfortable trying to make a roux-based sauce, this queso-style sauce is perfect for you. You can modify the type of shredded cheese to your family’s tastes.
There are different flavors of the Kraft deli-style cheese, too. I like American best in this recipe, but it’s really just a matter of taste.
Almost-instant gf mac & cheese
My gluten free son, the one whose needs led to the creation of this site, doesn’t really like most mac and cheese—especially the stovetop kind. But he really likes this third type, made with dehydrated cheese.
This type of gf macaroni and cheese happens to be the absolute easiest kind, too. Simply whisk together the milk and the powdered cheese until it’s very smooth, add butter, and cook.
The milk rehydrates the cheese, and the butter helps the sauce coat the gluten free macaroni. It will be the easiest thing you do all day, and I would even let my teenagers make it for themselves.
This recipe tastes like I remember the Kraft box of mac and cheese. Kraft itself now makes its own box of gluten free mac and cheese, but I haven’t tried it. If you have, let us know how it went!
My new favorite gluten free macaroni
If you use my new favorite gluten free macaroni, which you see in the image above, you can refrigerate the boiled pasta before adding it to the cheese sauce of your choice. The brand is Rummo, and their gluten free pasta is a cut above.
Amazon does carry some Rummo brand gluten free pasta (that’s an affiliate link), but they don’t often carry the elbow macaroni. I’ve hunted it down, but from sources I consider too expensive for me to share.
I also regularly use Barilla gluten free elbow pasta (and all other shapes), and they’re great, too. But Rummo actually cooks al dente and isn’t hard even when it’s cold. That’s just a gluten free miracle.
Ingredients and substitutions
Dairy
I have never tried to make this mac and cheese recipe (or any, really) myself dairy free. But I think it’s worth trying for 2 of the 3 methods.
Here are the substitutions I would try, dairy ingredient by dairy ingredient:
- For the milk: unsweetened almond milk
- For the shredded cheese: Violife brand or Miyoko’s Kitchen brand blocks, shredded
- For the sliced cheese: Daiya sliced American-style cheese
- For the butter: Miyoko’s Kitchen or Melt brand vegan butter
The dehydrated cheese, “almost instant” recipe can’t be made dairy free. For the cheddar cheese powder in the third variety, I really like Hoosier Hill Farm brand (that’s an Amazon affiliate link, but please shop around.)
Flours/cornstarch
In place of the gum-free gluten free flour blend in the roux-based recipe, or the cornstarch in variety #2, you can use an equal amount of superfine sweet white rice flour.
Easy Stovetop Gluten Free Macaroni & Cheese
Ingredients
For all 3 varieties
4 to 16 ounces small dried gluten free pasta (See Recipe Notes)
1 to 2 tablespoons (14 to 28 g) extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
For variety #1: roux-based
4 tablespoons (56 g) unsalted butter, chopped
1/3 cup (47 g) gum-free gluten free flour blend (31 grams superfine white rice flour + 10 grams potato starch + 6 grams tapioca starch/flour) (See Recipe Notes)
1 can (12 fluid ounces) evaporated milk
2 to 2 1/2 cups (16 to 20 fluid ounces) milk, at room temperature
1 pound (16 ounces) cheddar cheese, shredded
For variety #2: queso-style
1/2 cup (4 fluid ounces) milk, plus more as necessary
3 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
1 teaspoon (3 g) cornstarch (See Recipe Notes)
2 ounces Kraft deli deluxe American cheese slices (3 to 4 slices) (See Recipe Notes)
For variety #3: almost-instant
1/4 cup (2 fluid ounces) milk
3 tablespoons (21 g) dehydrated cheddar cheese powder (See Recipe Notes)
4 tablespoons (56 g) unsalted butter, chopped
Notes
For the gf pasta
For variety #1, you’ll need a full pound of pasta. You can always reduce the recipe by half, and only use 8 ounces of pasta. For the other 2 varieties, you’ll only need 4 ounces of pasta, but you can increase the recipe proportionally to make more sauce for more pasta.
For the GF flour and/or cornstarch
In place of the gum-free gluten free flour blend in the roux-based recipe, or the cornstarch in variety #2, you can use an equal amount of superfine sweet white rice flour.
For the Kraft deli deluxe American cheese slices
These are not the individually wrapped “cheese.” Instead, we’re using the Kraft sliced cheese that usually comes in a square blue package, and says “deli slices.”
For the dehydrated cheddar cheese
I like Hoosier Hill Farm brand, which is just cheddar cheese with the moisture removed. It’s shelf-stable, and comes in a convenient resealable container. I buy it on Amazon.com
Instructions
Boil the pasta in a large pasta pot to an al dente texture, according to the package directions. For variety #1, you’ll need the full pound of pasta. For the other two, just 4 ounces of pasta, unless you plan to multiply those recipes by 4. Drain the pasta, return it to the pasta pot and toss it with olive oil to prevent it from sticking together. Cover the pasta pot and set it aside.*
*Make ahead option: You can place the cooked pasta in a large bowl, cover it with plastic wrap and leave it out at room temperature for up to 8 hours before proceeding with the recipe.
For variety #1, roux-based: In a medium-sized, heavy-bottom saucepan, place the butter and medium heat until it’s melted. Add the flour blend and stir to combine well. The mixture will clump at first, and then smooth.
Cook the roux over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture has just begun to turn a very light brown color (about 2 minutes). Add the evaporated milk to the roux very slowly, stirring constantly to break up any lumps that might form. Add 2 cups of milk, and whisk to combine well.
Bring the mixture to a simmer and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened and reduced by about one-quarter (about 7 minutes). The sauce should coat the back of a spoon.
Remove the saucepan from the heat, add the grated cheese and mix to combine with a silicone spatula or wooden spoon. Add salt and pepper to taste, and the remaining milk a bit at a time if you like a thinner cheese sauce. Add salt and/or pepper to taste.
Pour the hot cheese sauce over 4 ounces of the cooked pasta, and stir carefully to coat without breaking the pasta. Serve immediately.
For variety #2: queso-style. In a small saucepan, place the milk over very low heat. Bring to a simmer, whisking very frequently. Continue to cook until the milk just begins to reduce (about 3 minutes).
Toss the 3 ounces of shredded cheddar in the cornstarch, remove the saucepan from the heat, and add the cheese and starch to the hot milk. Mix to combine. Tear the cheese slices into about 4 pieces each, and add them to the mixture, too. Mix until smooth.
If necessary to melt all the cheese, return the saucepan to the stovetop over very low heat, mixing constantly. Add salt and/or pepper to taste, and add to 4 ounces of cooked pasta. Serve immediately.
For variety #3: almost-instant. In a small saucepan, place the milk and then the dehydrated cheese. Whisk until very smooth. The powder will resist combining at first.
Add the butter, and place the mixture over medium-low heat. Cook, whisking frequently, until the butter is melted.
Cook until the mixture begins to simmer, still whisking frequently. Cook briefly, until the mixture is creamy and slightly thickened. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon. Add salt and/or pepper to taste. Add 4 ounces of cooked pasta, toss to coat and serve immediately.
Originally published on the blog in 2014. Photos, video, varieties all new.
Laura Howard says
Nicole, you had asked about the Kraft G.F. boxed mac n cheese. It is very close to the original. My daughter, who is grown, really likes it. She’s picky on her mac cheese, even before she had to go gluten free. Thank you for all your hard work and input. It’s greatly appreciated!
Bryson Fico says
We loved your quest-style macaroni and cheese. Also, we took your suggestion and used Rummo Gluetin-free pasta. We found that it had a pleasant flavor and light texture.
Nicole Hunn says
I’m happy to hear that on all counts, Bryson!
Diane Decker says
Ironically, I had just ordered a container of the Hoosier Farms dehydrated cheese to use in another recipe. My son who has Asperger’s and celiac, plus a traumatic brain injury, will love being able to make this himself. I could bring myself to eat the boxed mac and cheese, ever, but he loves it. Thank you, Nicole, for all the work you do for those of us with celiac! We will be making this as soon as my order comes in.
Nicole Hunn says
That’s so great to hear, Diane. It really is at least as easy as the box—but without the added ingredients, of course. I wonder if your son could also make himself the Paleo mug cake. Sometimes, I measure out the dry ingredients ahead of time in a mason jar, and my teenage son finishes it and microwaves it. Just a thought!
Tobius says
Hi I always make dairy free mac and cheese, have been for years actually.
I use Rice and sometime Almond milk and Daiya cheese quite good really :-)
Kali says
I make mac and cheese dairy free with chicken broth instead of milk. Nutritional yeast (like a lot) makes a great addition to dairy free “cheese” sauces and so does vegan “cream cheese”
As always, thanks for all your hard work!
Is there a pasta brand you recommend for this dish?
Nicole Hunn says
Yes yes yes! These days, I rarely use anything other than Barilla gluten free pasta. It’s the best I’ve tried, and I’ve tried many.
Sherry says
I tried making the gf Hawaiian bread rolls and failed horribly. but i’m determined to make this work.
is the a gf pasta that will work well in cold salads?
Brenda Hardy says
I really like the Barilla pasta that Nicole mentions, and have used it for cold salads, but after 24-48 hours in the fridge, the GF pasta gets dry and almost brittle. It soaks up a lot of whatever sauce you are using and the texture becomes unpleasant. We make a cold Greek pasta salad with Barilla Penne noodles that is awesome for the first day. We try to eat it within 2 days because after that it’s definitely sub par.
Nicole Hunn says
I try not to refrigerate cooked pasta, Brenda. If it’s just plain cooked pasta, tossed with butter or oil, we put in a sealed container and leave it on the counter. It’s good for at least a day.
Lucy says
I have been out of power here for over 48 hours, I could have used this recipe!
I was cooking on our woodstove, we heat with wood so we had a lot of beef stew….lol :)
Next time I’ll have mac and cheese too :)
Nicole Hunn says
Oh no, Lucy! I hope you’re back in business really fast!!
Lucy says
Yes we are back online, just in time too, temp at -12 C = 10.4 F.
Burrrr it’s cold! With the wind it feels more like -20 C = -4 F.
Noni says
I tried this today. Everything went well, but the cheese has a bitter flavor to it. Do you have any advice on how to combat that so I don’t waste the whole pot of mac and cheese?
Nicole Hunn says
Noni, I’m afraid I don’t know why your cheese would taste bitter. Perhaps it was spoiled? This is such a simple recipe that the taste of the cheese will really shine through.
kittywitty says
Noni–I tried making this tonight and I burned the bottom of the roux, so it caused a bitter taste. I turned up the heat to get the roux/milk mixture to come to a simmer quicker and all of a sudden I noticed a burnt smell. I tasted the sauce and it was bitter. Do you think that might have happened to you, too?
AmandaM says
This looks amazeballs! I wish I could have dairy still. Maybe, I’ll just make it for my husband and live vicariously through him
Nicole Hunn says
You must really love him, Amanda. :)
GraceFaithGlitter says
Oh my goodness!! Those pictures are making me salivate & I just had my 4th helpings of Thanksgiving dinner!! Consider this pinned, & when I have more room in my stomach, know that I will be making this because I’m a sucker for Mac & Cheese!
Nicole Hunn says
Stomach space is at a premium this time of year, indeed, GraceFaith!!
KLarimore says
I made this today and my very picky, only from the box, Mac n cheese eater, actually ate it! I also made your mashed potatoes (had to sub Greek yogurt for the sour cream), your gravy (subbed buttermilk for the evaporated milk), your green bean casserole, and your stuffing (used your cornbread recipe for the bread) — all delicious! Other than planning better for my grocery shopping (only bought one can of evaporated milk), I think it went pretty well. We ordered a smoked turkey from a local barbecue restaurant, so I didn’t have to worry about the turkey. Thank you so much for all of your wonderful recipes!
Nicole Hunn says
That all sounds perfect, KLarimore! I think your Thanksgiving table looked a whole lot like mine. Except for that smoked turkey—I’d have loved some of that!!
kittywitty says
I may need to see if I have time to squeeze this one in today since it doesn’t require the oven! My husband and son love mac and cheese to be creamy–this looks perfect! I’m baking your apple pie in a bag (I made and froze it a week ago) and your green bean casserole today. Happy Thanksgiving!!
Nicole Hunn says
I hope you had a very Happy Thanksgiving, kitty!!
hal says
I’m not a cook.. can you just use Gluten free flour, or does it have to be a blend???
Nicole Hunn says
You must use the flours as specified, Hal. No one single GF flour will work.
Jennifer S. says
Classic. :-)
carole says
Since we found the Barilla pasta we use no other
Sandy says
We have used GF Barisal pasta also but I have found Walmart brand GF elbows quite good too!
Nicole Hunn says
Do you mean Barilla, Sandy? If so, then I wholeheartedly agree. :)
Tina says
I am soo making this over the weekend
Mare Masterson says
OMG!!!! I saw gf Barilla elbows just yesterday and thought that I needed to check the blog for a mac n cheese recipe…and here it is today! I am convinced you have super powers! I hate the stuff in the box! I haven’t had this in a very long time! I love you! ♡♡♡♡♡♡
Lauren says
I’m totally convinced she does have super powers… besides cooking and baking, I mean.
Because two days ago I tried to make a version of this on my own (my family has never made stovetop mac and cheese, so I knew it was risky), and it was one of the biggest, nastiest fails in recent cooking memory. It’s still sitting in my fridge waiting for me to decide if I really am just going to throw away my expensive ingredients in their big gloopy pile. Now, at least, I have a chance at redo redemption. :)
Nicole Hunn says
Oh no, Lauren! That sounds like you used a xanthan gum-containing flour blend. It can do that to you in a roux. :(
Nicole Hunn says
Aw, Mare, I love you, too. :)
Donia Robinson says
Excellent work, Brian H!
Brian H says
Thank you. Hand modeling is no easy task. But at least you get to eat the props.
Kathleen says
Hi Nicole,
What is the topping that is sprinkled on? Grated cheese? Or bread crumbs?
(Love all of your books!)
Kathleen
Donia Robinson says
Looks like crumbled cheese crackers to me (which sound good!) We will await her answer! My family would love this recipe!
youngbaker2002 says
some sort of powdered cheese maybe?
Nicole Hunn says
Hi, Kathleen! Actually, it’s just ground cornflakes. I always have a whole container of those because I use them so often!