Country Style Mac & Cheese (GF & Lactose Free)
This Mac and cheese recipe is super easy and doesn’t take too much time at all to make. It took me about 35-40 minutes in total. We served it with homemade fried porkchops and roasted carrots. My husband is Lactose Intolerant, so I’m always looking for ways to make him delicious things that won’t bother his stomach! This creation was a win. Everyone enjoyed this recipe, it was dubbed “Cracker Barrel Mac but BETTER” by my husband. It was even KID APPROVED by my pickiest eater.
Ingredients:
COOKED PASTA of choice (I used these Organic GF elbows)
2 Tablespoons butter (or avocado oil)
2 Tablespoons whole wheat flour or GF flour
½ teaspoon pink salt
¼ teaspoon garlic powder *optional flavor boost
1 cup whole milk (I used this Lactose Free kind)
2 Tablespoons cream cheese (we use this lactose free & organic one!)
2 1/2 Cups FRESHLY SHREDDED Seriously Sharp VT Cheddar Cheese
Instructions
Cook elbow macaroni by following the package instructions. Be sure to add ¼ tsp salt to the water you use to boil your pasta. Strain, and set aside.
Make the cheese sauce:
Combine flour, sea salt, and garlic powder together in a small bowl.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
Add flour mixture and whisk to combine. Cook for 1 minute until mixture is slightly brown.
Add 1 cup milk and whisk until the mixture is smooth.
Add cream cheese and mix until combined.
Cook on medium-high heat until the mixture is thickened (about 3-5 minutes, avoid bringing it to a boil!)
Reduce heat to low and add your cheese. Mix until cheese is melted and mixture is smooth. Taste and add more salt/seasoning if desired. Sometimes I like to add pepper or paprika!
Assemble & Serve
Add your cooked pasta to the pot of cheesy delciousness you' created and stir until the sauce is evenly distributed.
Let the mac and cheese cool for 3-5 minutes or until the cheese sauce has thickened a little bit and sticks to the noodles. Serve warm!
You can top with parmesan cheese or leftover shredded cheese if you desire.
Take your Mac to the next level: pour your mac & cheese into a greased casserole dish. Top with your favorite breadcrumbs (butter crackers are great!) and maybe even add in some bacon crumbles or chopped ham. Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes or until topping is golden brown and edges are bubbly.
You could experiment with this recipe by adding other cheeses! Hard cheeses such as Cheddar, Swiss, Mozzarella, Colby, and Monterey Jack are typically lactose free.
