Description
This is the creamiest, cheesiest Gluten Free Mac and Cheese you’ll ever make — ultra smooth, never grainy, and packed with flavor the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces gluten-free elbow pasta (Barilla or Jovial recommended)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 ounces evaporated milk
- 1½ cups half and half
- 1½ teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard powder
- ⅜ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Optional: cooked bacon, gluten-free breadcrumbs, or cream cheese for extra creaminess
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 3-quart baking dish or 9×13 pan.
- Mix ¾ cup cheddar, ½ cup Monterey Jack, and ⅓ cup Parmesan; set aside for topping.
- Cook gluten-free pasta in salted water, reducing cook time by 1 minute. Drain and stir in melted butter.
- In a saucepan, warm evaporated milk and half and half until simmering.
- Toss shredded cheeses with cornstarch to coat.
- Remove milk from heat and stir in garlic powder, salt, mustard powder, and cayenne.
- Slowly add cheese, one cup at a time, stirring until creamy and smooth.
- Pour sauce over pasta and mix. Transfer to baking dish and top with reserved cheese mix.
- Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until bubbly and golden. Broil for 1–2 minutes for extra crispiness.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving for best texture.
Notes
Use a corn and rice pasta blend for best texture. Slightly undercook pasta to avoid mushiness. Don’t skip the cheese coating with cornstarch — it keeps the sauce velvety.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: gluten free mac and cheese, baked mac and cheese, cheesy pasta, gluten free comfort food