Gluten-Free Mac ‘n Cheese Recipe

Thanks to everyone who has responded to the questions from the e-mail signup;  I really appreciate it!  I need to start sending the newsletter out on a more consistent basis.  I realized how many people had young children that are celiac, so I am trying to make more kid-friendly recipes now.  And not to mention I sorta enjoy meals like this one anyways…

There are some frozen gluten-free mac ‘n cheese meals at Whole Foods and other health food stores in the area, but I have never been impressed by them.  Frozen meals are fine when you’re in college, but once you hit your mid-20′s, they suddenly lose their luster.  Throw in the fact that there are even less gluten-free frozen options, and you can see why I pretty much never eat frozen meals anymore.

I had high hopes for this mac ‘n cheese recipe, and it did not disappoint.  I LOVE cheese, even though it isn’t good for you and I avoid it most of the time.  If you are dairy-free, I think the Daiya Cheddar would work fine in the recipe as well.  Here we go…

Gluten-Free Elbows Measured Out, w/Bowl of Cheese

Mixing the Cheese and Milk on Stove

Breadcrumbs on, Ready for the Oven

Done!!!

The Recipe

Ingredients (serves 4):

• 2 cups of gluten-free pasta (elbows or shells)
• 2.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup milk (I used almond milk; regular is fine)
• 2 Tbsp gluten-free all-purpose flour
• 1 Tbsp gluten-free breadcrumbs

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2.  Mix the shredded cheese and all-purpose gluten-free flour in a bowl.  Set aside for future use.

3.  Bring water in a large pot to a boil.  Add the gluten-free pasta to the water and cook for a minute or two less than the package specifies.  (For example, the gluten-free quinoa pasta I used says cook 6-9 minutes, and I took it out at 5.)

4.  In a small pot, warm up the milk on medium heat for a few minutes.  (You are going to be mixing it in with the cheese mixture next.)

5.  In a medium-sized pot on medium-low heat, add the cheese mixture.  Stir it for a couple minutes while it starts to melt.  Start adding in the milk slowly, stirring the mixture continuously.  Once you are done adding the milk, simmer on low heat for a few minutes and remove when it is completely melted.

6.  Pour the gluten-free pasta in a casserole dish.  Add the cheese sauce evenly over the top of the pasta.  Sprinkle the gluten-free breadcrumbs over the top of everything.

7.  Place in the preheated oven.  Bake for about 20-24 minutes, until the breadcrumbs are nice and golden.

8.  Remove from heat.  Serve and enjoy!