Gluten Free Bacon Mac and Cheese
Creamy, smoky, and deeply satisfying, this is the kind of comfort food that earns a permanent spot in your weeknight rotation. The secret to a silky, lump-free sauce without any wheat flour is a simple cornstarch roux — it thickens beautifully with whole milk and heavy cream, giving you that rich, velvety texture you'd expect from a classic mac. Freshly grated sharp cheddar and Gruyère melt in off the heat, so the sauce stays smooth and glossy rather than grainy or broken. Crispy bacon gets folded right into the pasta and piled on top, adding a salty crunch that makes every bite more interesting. Dry mustard, garlic powder, and a pinch of cayenne round out the flavor so it never tastes flat or one-note. The one thing to watch is your pasta timing — gluten free noodles cook faster than you think, so pull them just before they're done and they'll finish perfectly in the warm sauce. Serves four, and honestly, leftovers are worth fighting over.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the bacon
- 6 strips bacon
For the pasta
- 12 oz gluten free pasta (elbow or cavatappi shape)
- 1 tsp salt
For the cheese sauce
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp dry mustard
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- 1 cup gruyère cheese, freshly grated
- ½ tsp salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh chives, thinly sliced (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally, until the fat has rendered and the strips are crisp, about 8–10 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate and let cool, then crumble into bite-sized pieces. Discard or reserve the drippings for another use.
- 2
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1 tsp salt. Cook the gluten free pasta according to the package directions until just tender — gluten free pasta can go from al dente to mushy quickly, so begin checking 1–2 minutes before the package time. Drain in a colander and set aside.
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