Mac n’ Cheese lovers unite! This healthier version of the classic is Vegan, Dairy and Gluten Free. Perfect for those looking to still enjoy this childhood favorite without all the heavy ingredients, plus an extra sneaky serving of sweet potato’s makes this dish even more nutritious. Meanwhile, cook the macaroni according to package instructions, drain. Stir macaroni into the warm cheese sauce, and then pour the macaroni and cheese into greased baking dish. Top with reserved ½ cup of sharp cheddar cheese and parsley breadcrumbs, then bake for 15 minutes, or until topping is lightly brown and macaroni is heated through.
- It wouldn’t be mac’n’cheese if the recipe wasn’t simple, so I tried to keep this dairy-free version as simple as possible. The cheese sauce is really the only part of this recipe that may seem daunting, but it’s actually really easy to make.
- Dairy Free Mac And Cheese Recipe Notes. The cheese sauce can be used with much more than just pasta. If you’re on a keto or low carb diet or simply don’t feel like boiling noodles one night, feel free to use the sauce as a cheese dip or pour it over steamed veggies, rice, or even spaghetti squash.
Sep 10, 2019 Lactose Free Mac and Cheese Recipe. First and foremost, if you have a tried and true family recipe for mac and cheese, we suggest modifying that one first by using Kreider’s Lactose Free Milk and possibly substituting certain cheeses. But this Rachael Ray recipe is one of our absolute favorites and should go nice and easy on lactose.
September 10, 2019
There’s no better homemade comfort food than macaroni and cheese. Simple to make and a crowd pleaser for pickier palates, it tends to be a staple in most family homes. Yet sometimes that cheesy, melty dinner can turn tiny tummies (or even yours!) into an uncomfortable knot.
At Kreider Farms, we understand how difficult it can be cooking for the whole family if one or more of you are lactose intolerant. Finding foods that work for everyone can be not only frustrating, but time-consuming and expensive as well. That’s why we went on a search for one of the best lactose free mac and cheese recipes we could find. Not only does this recipe hit that comfort food spot, but it also packs just as much (if not more) flavor than typical mac and cheese.
What Cheeses are Naturally Lactose Free?
Lactose Free Mac And Cheese Recipes
Before we get to the recipe, we wanted to talk about the star of the show—the cheese! For instance, did you know that you can actually make your own lactose free cheese right at home? Mozzarella and ricotta are a few of the easier ones to make, but you can even buy certain premade cheeses from the store that are low in lactose, too. Aged cheeses typically have less sugar in them, making them easier for lactose intolerant stomachs to digest. A few popular types are sharp cheddar, mild cheddar, Muenster, brie, provolone, Gouda, blue, parmesan, and Swiss.
As with all cheeses or foods in general, make sure you know your limits. If you’ve never eaten a specific type of cheese (even if it’s a lactose free cheese), try it in smaller portions to see how your stomach reacts before you eat an entire meal. Everyone reacts differently and has different tolerance levels, so do what’s best for your body!
Lactose Free Mac and Cheese Recipe
First and foremost, if you have a tried and true family recipe for mac and cheese, we suggest modifying that one first by using Kreider’s Lactose Free Milk and possibly substituting certain cheeses. But this Rachael Ray recipe is one of our absolute favorites and should go nice and easy on lactose intolerant stomachs (we’ve tweaked it slightly to be more lactose intolerant friendly).
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to get started with this recipe:
- 1 Tbsp. Vegetable or Olive Oil
- 2 Tbsp. Margarine*
- 3 Tbsp. Flour
- 1 ½ cups Lactose Free Milk
- 3 cups Shredded White Cheddar Cheese**
- ½ tsp. Nutmeg, Ground Or Freshly Grated
- ¼ tsp. Ground Cayenne Pepper
- 1 Lb. Elbow Macaroni (Cooked 8 Minutes or to Al Dente)
- Salt
*Make sure you check your margarine label to make sure it doesn’t contain milk solids or milk product.
**Cheddar cheese is naturally low in lactose, but make sure you know your stomach’s limits before eating a lot of it.
Instructions
The first step to this macaroni and cheese is make a roux for your cheese sauce. Start by heating up a deep, medium-sized skillet over medium heat and add in your oil and margarine to the pan. When the margarine melts, slowly add in your flour. Whisk together until smooth for about 3 minutes until the flour has had a chance to cook. While continuing to whisk, slowly add in your lactose free milk and stir it frequently until the milk starts to bubble.
Once it has thickened slightly, add in 2 of the 3 cups of your shredded cheese a handful at a time. Once the cheese is incorporated, season your sauce with nutmeg, pepper, and salt to taste. Add in the cooked pasta and coat the noodles completely by folding them into the sauce. Transfer the macaroni and cheese to a baking dish and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of choose across the top. Place the baking dish into the oven and broil until the cheese is brown on top.
With cooler weather just around the corner, we think this lactose free mac and cheese dish will be a big hit for any household. Coming in from that crisp fall air to a warm, comforting, and extra cheesy dish that has none of the uncomfortable stomach side effects—could it get any better? Not really (unless you have a sweet tooth and go for lactose free ice cream or cheesecake!), but Kreider Farms is here to help keep those family traditions going through dietary issues.
Contact us if you have any questions about our lactose free products or if you need to look up any locations where our products are sold!
Between my dog and myself, we have a host of dietary hurdles to overcome. He can’t digest protein or citrus; I can’t have gluten or dairy. We’re a hot mess, he and I, yet we make it work. I diligently make him banana and potato biscuits every week, and for myself, I indulge in the most verboten dish of all for the lactose and gluten-averse: mac ‘n cheese.
I like this recipe for a lot of reasons. It’s super easy, fast, cheap, and allows for endless customization. But best of all, it reminds me of the blue-box version my mom used to make when I was young. We all know this box. Delicious when you’re age 8, but tastes more like chalky nostalgia in your 20s.
Lactose Free Mac And Cheese Recipe
The process is exactly the same for this recipe, only I’ve substituted high quality, diet-friendly ingredients for stuff in the box. The starchy pasta water helps everything bind together without the need for milk. I can usually tolerate a small amount of butter without my body staging a coup d’etat, but if your dietary sensitivities are more severe, a substitute like Earth Balance works fine. I like using Daiya vegan cheese and use a combination of 60:40 cheddar to mozzarella to add a clingy thickness to the sauce, plus gluten-free noodles, but the recipe is essentially a template. Modify however you see fit — regular pasta, different varieties of vegan cheese, add blanched peas or sautéed kale…the world is yours.