Mac and cheese is one of the best anytime foods out there, and it’s easier than ever to find gluten-free mac and cheese in boxes on your local store shelf. Whether you make it from scratch or buy it in a box, gluten-free mac is just the starting point for a great meal.
Check out the following creative ways to cook with gluten-free mac and cheese.
Mac and cheese is a comfort food, and it’s definitely not diet food, but it doesn’t have to contribute to the size of your waist. Gluten-free macaroni often has a higher glycemic index than wheat-based macaroni, so it’s helpful to add some fiber to the equation when you eat macaroni made of rice or another high-glycemic ingredient.
Sure, the thought of fiber in your macaroni and cheese probably doesn’t sound delicious. However, you might be surprised how well vegetables like broccoli cooperate with a creamy, cheesy dish of gluten-free mac and cheese. The great thing, too, is that all it takes is an extra pot. You don’t even need a steamer to make delicious broccoli.
Simply take an extra pot, add about 1 inch of water to it, and bring the water to a boil. Add the broccoli and the lid and let it cook for about 3 or 4 minutes. You don’t even need to use a colander inside the pot. Just strain the broccoli once it’s cooked. Test it with your fingers while cooking to get it to your desired firmness. It should turn a brighter shade of green when it’s ready to eat.
If you’re feeling adventurous, try these other vegetables mixed in with your mac and cheese. Try them one at a time or mix them in for a vegetable medley:
In addition to steaming these vegetables, you can also sauté them in butter or garlic butter for extra flavor when mixing them with the mac.
Soft, creamy mac and cheese is a delight, but you’ll love what happens to it when you put it in the oven for a quick bake session. Part of the allure of mac and cheese is how fast it cooks, but the extra time it takes to bake your gluten-free mac and cheese is undoubtedly worth it. Here’s how to do it.
Make your gluten-free pasta and keep it warm by leaving it in the pot after you’ve strained it.
Melt 2 tbsp butter in a saucepan and whisk in your gluten-free flour on low heat. Then, whisk in your choice of milk (oat milk works wonderfully), and keep whisking for about five minutes until the sauce thickens. Add salt, red pepper, and black pepper to taste (or omit entirely).
Combine pasta, a cup of shredded cheese, and saucepan mixture and ladle it into a lightly oiled baking dish. Once the mixture sits flat in the baking dish, sprinkle another cup of cheese over the top.
Bake the mac and cheese at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes or until you see bubbles. Be careful when taking it out of the oven, and let it cool for around 10 minutes before serving.
Adding fun ingredients to gluten-free mac is fun, but you can also take the classic recipe and switch the ingredients. If you’ve already found your gluten-free pasta of choice, maybe it’s time to find an alternative cheese or cheese combo to suit your tastes.
Cheddar is the go-to cheese for just about every mainstream mac and cheese recipe, but you may want to try different combinations of cheeses. Consider adding one or more of the following to your next gluten-free mac and cheese dinner.
Or, make it vegan with some cashew-based cheese. You can find it in shreds in many major supermarkets these days.
You can add just about any delicious seasoning to mac and cheese and enjoy a divine pasta experience. Salt and pepper are a great go-to, but seasonings like garlic powder or onion powder are excellent for adding some variety to the dish.
If you want to get a little adventurous, a bottle of generic Italian seasoning is a great addition, and you can also satisfy the spicy lovers in your life by adding red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper. Try combining nutmeg and cayenne pepper to the mix for a warm zinger. Mustard powder is also a spice you can try.
Macaroni and cheese is a food many of us grow up with, and sometimes it’s the best when all you add is pasta, milk, butter, and cheese. However, if you’re up for some experimentation, try one of the above suggestions. You might find your brand-new favorite gluten-free mac.