This 20-minute creamy Gluten Free Mac and Cheese is not only easy to make, but incredibly delicious. It is cheesy and full of ooey gooey goodness! It's the perfect weeknight dinner recipe or crowd pleasing side dish for any occasion. The instant pot makes it so much easier and keeps your oven and stove free for other things.
Why I love this gluten free macaroni
- Creamy and flavorful: The creamy cheese sauce and al dente pasta make every bite of this macaroni and cheese perfection.
- Couldn't be easier: Just like this instant pot spaghetti, this recipe comes together in minutes for an easy weeknight dinner.
- It has a secret ingredient: Freshly grated nutmeg adds a warm and aromatic flavor to the cheesy sauce, taking this mac and cheese to the next level.
- Versatile dish: Similar to this instant pot pasta, you can customize this mac and cheese with your favorite mix ins and spices.
- Fast and easy: Thanks to the instant pot, this is the fastest gluten free Mac annd cheese! Just like our 15-minute homemade sourdough gluten free egg noodles pasta it takes only minutes to make.
How to make gluten free mac n cheese
The instant pot: Add water and gluten-free pasta to a pressure cooker then cook on high for 3 minutes.
Drain: Quick release and drain excess water.
The good stuff: Keeping the noodles in the bottom of the instant pot, mix in cheese, butter, milk, and spices.
Serve: Stir until the cheese is melted and serve hot.
Pro tip: Use freshly grated cheddar cheese for the best results, and feel free to experiment with different cheese varieties to make this mac and cheese your own.
If you like easy gluten-free dinner recipes, you'll love this instant pot lasagna, easy tater tot casserole, instant pot pulled pork, gluten free meatballs, or this gluten free chicken pot pie.
Recipe variations
- Dairy free: Use dairy free milk, butter, and cheese to make dairy free mac and cheese. I recommend Violife dairy-free cheese and Earth Balance dairy-free butter sticks.
- Different cheese and spices: Pepper jack, sharp cheddar, parmesan cheese, etc. make great additions to this easy recipe. Red peppers, garlic powder, paprika, and other Italian spices are another way to add more flavor.
- Baked mac and cheese: Add the cooked mac and cheese to a baking dish. Top with gluten-free breadcrumbs for a nice crunchy topping and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
- Some protein: Feel free to add bacon bits, ham, chicken, etc. for a source of protein.
Here are more gluten free pasta recipes...
Make ahead, storage, and freezing instructions
How to make ahead: You can make this mac and cheese a day or two in advance to save some time in the kitchen. Additionally, you can make ahead and freeze for up to a month in advance.
How to store: Store leftover mac and cheese in an airtight container after it has cooled to room temperature. Keep in the fridge for 2-4 days and reheat in the microwave when you're ready to serve.
Can I freeze mac and cheese? Yes, you can freeze this mac and cheese for 1-2 months. Let the dish cool to room temperature, place in a freezer safe container, and freeze.
More gluten free recipes you'll love
- This delicious gluten free burger is another one of my favorite comfort meals.
- If you're looking for another cheese dish, this is the best cheeseball recipe.
- These gluten free biscuits are a family favorite recipe!
- If you need another great side dish, this gluten free corn casserole is always a crowd pleaser.
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20-Minute Creamy Gluten Free Mac and Cheese (in the Instant Pot)
Ingredients
- 12 ounces gluten-free rotini pasta (Ronzoni or Jovial brand works best)
- 3 ⅔ cups water
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 ¼ cups milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- ½-1 teaspoon salt (depending on level of saltiness you like)
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add water and pasta to pressure cooker
- Cook on HIGH for 3 minutes
- Quick release pressure (drain excess water if needed)
- Add butter, milk, salt and cheese
- Stir until melted then grate in nutmeg and stir gently again
Video
Notes
Recipe variations
- Dairy free: Use dairy free milk, butter, and cheese to make dairy free mac and cheese. I recommend Violife dairy-free cheese and Earth Balance dairy-free butter sticks.
- Different cheese and spices: Pepper jack, sharp cheddar, parmesan cheese, etc. make great additions to this easy recipe. Red peppers, garlic powder, paprika, and other Italian spices are another way to add more flavor.
- Baked mac and cheese: Add the cooked mac and cheese to a baking dish. Top with gluten-free breadcrumbs for a nice crunchy topping and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
- Some protein: Feel free to add bacon bits, ham, chicken, etc. for a source of protein
Nutrition
What gluten free pasta works best?
I love Jovial brand brown rice pasta! It is hand made in Italy and truly tastes FANTASTIC! My family also loves it and they don't have to eat gluten-free. You can also use any gluten free noodles like corn pasta, chickpea pasta or gluten-free macaroni noodles.
Another brand I use and enjoy, especially in this recipe, is the Ronzoni rotini noodles. They are available at most groceries stores and on Amazon. You can also use them to make Italian pasta salad.
Juli says
Followed the recipe, and it was literally SOUP!!! 3 2/3 cup of water…. I still added what it told me. It absolutely came out like soup. Very disappointed!!
Chandice says
I am sorry to hear this. Did you follow the note to drain extra water BEFORE adding the other ingredients? That will get you the texture you are hoping for. I don't ever have to drain but some noodles work differently. Just like with regular Mac and cheese, if you see there is excess water, please drain before adding the other ingredients to avoid what you experienced.
Tessa Fitch says
I am pretty picky about gluten free Mac, but this stuff is delicious!!
Michael Press says
I’d been using Barilla (I’m a fan of Jovial but Barilla elbows are way better) for this recipe for the longest time (Nick, like you, it’s my wife with the gluten allergy, not me, but even I enjoy this recipe). However, there’s a new player in the GF pasta game and it’s got great texture, great flavor, and healthier than the others. It’s made from yellow peas, and called ZenB. It froths up, though, so don’t freak out. Like, in this recipe, I don’t worry about the froth it creates (step AWAY from the nozzle of the instant pot lid though) since I’m adding milk and butter. But if you end up using ZenB pasta in other GF dishes, you probably want to rinse it with cold water first.
Kelsey Welch says
My sister introduced me to this recipe, and I absolutely love it! Definitely delicious 😋
Chandice says
Awww thank you!! I am so glad you loved it!
Percy says
This recipe has saved me many, many times. Life is pretty busy with three kids running around, so I always struggle to make dinner. I can make this recipe so fast, which I love, and its super yummy, which we all love! Plus, my husband thinks I’ve spent the whole afternoon cooking, but really, it took 10 minutes haha. He doesn’t have to know 😉
Pamela Leong says
This mac and cheese is simply the BEST, and it is super easy to make! The nutmeg really makes a world of difference! Thank you so much for sharing.
Chandice says
Awww that means so much to me, thank you! 🙂 I love the nutmeg too...
Melissa says
I love this recipe. Being celiac this is the best I’ve had. However, it seems the 3 2/3 cup water is too much and it always spits out a lot of water. I’m new to my IP and any advice would be awesome
Chandice says
Hi Melissa, so glad you loved it! It's my kids favorite too. 🙂 You can drain any excess water but we use that much so that the noodles are covered and therefore cook evenly and don't come out crunchy.
Madden says
This is the best Mac n' Cheese I've ever tasted! Thank you so much!
Erin says
Can I add cauliflower to this recipe?
Chandice says
I think that would be great! Just make sure it is pureed as to not change the consistency too much...
Chenée says
This Mac and cheese is so delicious and I love that it's gluten free! Plus it's so easy to make in the instant pot! Yum!
Chandice says
Aww thanks Chenee, that makes me so happy to hear you loved it!
Moop Brown says
I'm always looking for more instant pot recipes to try and the fact that this one is so quick and easy to makes me even more excited to try!
Kate says
Made this for a friend who has gluten sensitivities and she loved it! I can't wait to make it again!
Chandice says
Awww that was so nice of you! Thanks 🙂
Chandice says
Thanks Tammy, I love nutmeg too. 🙂
Claire says
I made this for my Dad who has to eat GF and he loved it!!! Said it was creamy and delicious and just like memories of mac and cheese from his childhood!
Great recipe that was easy to do!
Chandice says
Awwww thank you so much this made my day! 🙂
Jessica Erin Halverstadt says
The secret ingredient really did make a difference! I love that it is prepared without a roux - I really hate the texture of flour-based cheese sauces. This mac and cheese really hit the spot.
Chandice says
Thanks Jessica, I also hate flour based Mac and cheese...so glad you loved this one!
Heidy says
This was a fabulous mac and cheese recipe that my entire family enjoyed. I'm looking forward to seeing some of your other recipes and making them! Have a great day! Happy Holidays!
Heidy
Chandice says
Thank you so much Heidy, I am so glad you loved it!
Kayla DiMaggio says
This gluten-free mac and cheese was so delicious! I loved all the flavors!
Chandice says
Aww thanks, it's one of our favorites! 🙂
Bernice says
Interesting! I'm not GF so I always wondered how to thicken the cheese sauce for GF mac n cheese. Great idea to cook it all in the IP and let the pasta water thicken the sauce.
Chandice says
Yes, it works so well. 🙂
Wendy A. says
Really good recipe! I swapped out the nutmeg with garlic powder, and I set the Instant Pot to 0 minutes for the Gluten free penne I had on hand, and let it sit for 1 minute before doing a quick release. No need to drain - just filled with enough water to cover the top of the pasta - and didn’t need any milk, it was very creamy and delicious! Thank you!
Chandice says
That's so great to hear, thanks Wendy! Love hearing everyones variations!
Nicole says
Can this recipe be doubled in an eight quart? Can ground nutmeg be subbed, or should I omit if we don't have fresh?
Chandice says
Yes you can absolutely double it. Nutmeg is optional, I just love it.
Carol says
Eager to get your GF and instant pot recipes
Chandice says
Did it not come through when you signed up?