Magnificent Mac n’ Cheese (low FODMAP)

30 minutes • Low FODMAP • Gluten-free • Vegetarian option • Serves 6 • When you’re craving mac ‘n cheese, THIS is what you’re craving. Super creamy, cheesy, and flavorful. We’ve used gluten-free pasta and lactose-free milk to make this mac n’ cheese FODMAP friendly but your family will never know the difference! We’re sure you are all going to love it!

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups extra sharp cheddar (about 3/4 pound grated)

8 ounces (uncooked) gluten-free macaroni noodles

1/3 cup butter

1/3 cup gluten-free flour

2 1/2 cups lactose-free whole milk

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon Coleman’s dry mustard (optional but good!)

6 slices low FODMAP bacon (optional for serving)

1/8 cup chives, chopped (optional for serving)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.

Lay your bacon slices on the foil and cook in the oven until they reach your desired crispness. Remove and set on paper towels while you prepare the rest of the meal.

After the bacon is cooked, reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.

Meanwhile, butter 6 ramekins or one square (8x8-inch) baking pan or similar-sized baking dish and set aside.

Grate the cheese and set it aside.

Cook the pasta according to package instructions, drain, rinse and set aside.

To make the white sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and stir constantly for about a minute so the flour cooks in the butter. (This is important as it takes away the “raw” taste of the flour in your white sauce.)

Very slowly add the milk while constantly whisking the mixture. Stop periodically to let the sauce heat and thicken and then continue to add the milk in a slow stream while whisking almost constantly. This takes a few minutes but prevents your sauce from burning on the bottom of the pan.

Once all the milk is added and the sauce is thickened, add the salt, pepper, paprika, and about half the grated cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and remove the sauce from the heat.

Now you’re ready to assemble your Magnificent Mac n’ Cheese.

Fill the buttered dish(es) halfway with pasta. Pour about half the cheese sauce over the pasta. Add another layer of pasta and pour on the remaining half of the sauce. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the mac n’ cheese and put it in the oven for 20 - 30 minutes (larger dishes will take a bit longer) until the cheese is bubbling and starting to brown lightly at the edges.

Remove from the oven and, while the mac n’ cheese cools just a bit, chop your bacon and chives and sprinkle them on the top.

Serve with a side salad.

Enjoy!

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