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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Instant Pot ยป 20-Minute Creamy Gluten Free Mac and Cheese (in the Instant Pot)

    20-Minute Creamy Gluten Free Mac and Cheese (in the Instant Pot)

    Published: Jan 29, 2020 ยท Modified: Dec 29, 2024 by Chandice ยท This post may contain affiliate links ยท 74 Comments

    JUMP TO RECIPE
    Instant Pot Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese pin
    Instant Pot Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese pin
    Instant Pot Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese pin

    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.

    Overhead shot of gluten-free Mac and cheese in a bowl with gold spoon

    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.
    Instant pot gluten-free mac and cheese is a creamy, hearty dish the whole family will love. It literally takes under 10 minutes and the kids will love it! You can mix in ham, beef or even bacon for an extra filling dish.

    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.

    Step-by-step instructions for gluten-free Mac and cheese

    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.

      Gluten-Free Mac and cheese in a blue spotted bowl

      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…

      Creamy Mac and cheese being spooned out of an Instant Pot

      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.
      • โ€‹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.

      Need an EASY and delicious breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert?
      Take a look at my Sheet Pan Meals and More!

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      20-Minute Creamy Gluten Free Mac and Cheese (in the Instant Pot)

      Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese in a bowl
      4.68 from 50 votes
      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.
      PRINT RECIPE SaveSaved!
      Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
      Cook Time: 5 minutes mins
      Total Time: 20 minutes mins
      Course: Main Course
      Cuisine: American
      Keyword: comfort food, gluten-free, gluten-free mac and cheese, Instant Pot, instant pot mac and cheese, kid-friendly
      Servings: 6 servings
      Calories: 431kcal
      Author: Chandice Probst

      Ingredients

      • 12 ounces gluten-free rotini pasta (Ronzoni or Jovial brand works best)
      • 3 2/3 cups water
      • 3 tablespoons butter
      • 1 1/4 cups milk
      • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
      • 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
      • 1/2-1 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:ย 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.ย 
      • 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:ย Feel free to add bacon bits, ham, chicken, etc. for a source of protein
      Pro Tip: Use fresh cheddar for the best results. If you want to get creative, you can add other cheeses here as well but keep it to the 2 cups we call for in the ingredients.

      Nutrition

      Serving: 1serving | Calories: 431kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 504mg | Potassium: 104mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 635IU | Calcium: 335mg | Iron: 1mg

      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.

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      Chandice of This Vivacious Life

      Hi, I'm Chandice!

      Parties, gatherings, gorgeous food and ESPECIALLY holidays with my people are what make my heart pitter patter. Having a place to share our favorite traditions, recipes and celebrations is very important to me. I live each day with unapologetic, authentic happiness and hope to help others do the same. More About Chandice

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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Juli says

        March 13, 2023 at 1:24 am

        2 stars
        Followed the recipe, and it was literally SOUP!!! 3 2/3 cup of waterโ€ฆ. I still added what it told me. It absolutely came out like soup. Very disappointed!!

        Reply
        • Chandice says

          March 16, 2023 at 4:20 am

          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.

          Reply
      2. Tessa Fitch says

        December 16, 2022 at 1:50 pm

        5 stars
        I am pretty picky about gluten free Mac, but this stuff is delicious!!

        Reply
      3. Michael Press says

        December 15, 2022 at 5:43 pm

        5 stars
        Iโ€™d been using Barilla (Iโ€™m a fan of Jovial but Barilla elbows are way better) for this recipe for the longest time (Nick, like you, itโ€™s my wife with the gluten allergy, not me, but even I enjoy this recipe). However, thereโ€™s a new player in the GF pasta game and itโ€™s got great texture, great flavor, and healthier than the others. Itโ€™s made from yellow peas, and called ZenB. It froths up, though, so donโ€™t freak out. Like, in this recipe, I donโ€™t worry about the froth it creates (step AWAY from the nozzle of the instant pot lid though) since Iโ€™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.

        Reply
      4. Kelsey Welch says

        December 15, 2022 at 3:57 am

        5 stars
        My sister introduced me to this recipe, and I absolutely love it! Definitely delicious ๐Ÿ˜‹

        Reply
        • Chandice says

          December 15, 2022 at 5:34 pm

          Awww thank you!! I am so glad you loved it!

          Reply
      5. Percy says

        July 13, 2022 at 3:51 pm

        5 stars
        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 Iโ€™ve spent the whole afternoon cooking, but really, it took 10 minutes haha. He doesnโ€™t have to know ๐Ÿ˜‰

        Reply
      6. Pamela Leong says

        June 09, 2022 at 12:52 pm

        5 stars
        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.

        Reply
        • Chandice says

          June 23, 2022 at 4:32 pm

          Awww that means so much to me, thank you! ๐Ÿ™‚ I love the nutmeg too…

          Reply
      7. Melissa says

        March 17, 2022 at 11:51 pm

        5 stars
        I love this recipe. Being celiac this is the best Iโ€™ve had. However, it seems the 3 2/3 cup water is too much and it always spits out a lot of water. Iโ€™m new to my IP and any advice would be awesome

        Reply
        • Chandice says

          March 18, 2022 at 5:14 am

          Hi Melissa, so glad you loved it! It’s my kids favorite too. ๐Ÿ™‚ 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.

          Reply
      8. Madden says

        February 12, 2022 at 12:13 am

        5 stars
        This is the best Mac n’ Cheese I’ve ever tasted! Thank you so much!

        Reply
      9. Erin says

        January 22, 2022 at 12:05 am

        Can I add cauliflower to this recipe?

        Reply
        • Chandice says

          January 26, 2022 at 5:57 am

          I think that would be great! Just make sure it is pureed as to not change the consistency too much…

          Reply
      10. Chenรฉe says

        November 15, 2021 at 8:15 am

        5 stars
        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!

        Reply
        • Chandice says

          November 16, 2021 at 3:29 am

          Aww thanks Chenee, that makes me so happy to hear you loved it!

          Reply
      11. Moop Brown says

        November 15, 2021 at 8:06 am

        5 stars
        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!

        Reply
      12. Kate says

        November 13, 2021 at 10:28 pm

        5 stars
        Made this for a friend who has gluten sensitivities and she loved it! I can’t wait to make it again!

        Reply
        • Chandice says

          November 16, 2021 at 3:30 am

          Awww that was so nice of you! Thanks ๐Ÿ™‚

          Reply
      13. Chandice says

        November 13, 2021 at 5:02 am

        Thanks Tammy, I love nutmeg too. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
      14. Claire says

        November 11, 2021 at 3:48 am

        5 stars
        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!

        Reply
        • Chandice says

          November 13, 2021 at 5:17 am

          Awwww thank you so much this made my day! ๐Ÿ™‚

          Reply
      15. Jessica Erin Halverstadt says

        November 10, 2021 at 4:47 pm

        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.

        Reply
        • Chandice says

          November 13, 2021 at 5:18 am

          Thanks Jessica, I also hate flour based Mac and cheese…so glad you loved this one!

          Reply
      16. Heidy says

        November 09, 2021 at 7:44 pm

        5 stars
        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

        Reply
        • Chandice says

          November 13, 2021 at 5:19 am

          Thank you so much Heidy, I am so glad you loved it!

          Reply
      17. Kayla DiMaggio says

        November 09, 2021 at 3:49 pm

        5 stars
        This gluten-free mac and cheese was so delicious! I loved all the flavors!

        Reply
        • Chandice says

          November 13, 2021 at 5:19 am

          Aww thanks, it’s one of our favorites! ๐Ÿ™‚

          Reply
      18. Bernice says

        November 09, 2021 at 1:40 am

        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.

        Reply
        • Chandice says

          November 13, 2021 at 5:21 am

          Yes, it works so well. ๐Ÿ™‚

          Reply
      19. Wendy A. says

        February 27, 2021 at 12:50 am

        5 stars
        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 didnโ€™t need any milk, it was very creamy and delicious! Thank you!

        Reply
        • Chandice says

          February 27, 2021 at 3:51 pm

          That’s so great to hear, thanks Wendy! Love hearing everyones variations!

          Reply
          • Nicole says

            November 01, 2022 at 5:57 pm

            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

            November 03, 2022 at 2:05 pm

            Yes you can absolutely double it. Nutmeg is optional, I just love it.

      20. Carol says

        February 23, 2021 at 8:43 pm

        Eager to get your GF and instant pot recipes

        Reply
        • Chandice says

          February 24, 2021 at 4:16 am

          Did it not come through when you signed up?

          Reply
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