Both my husband and my one-year-old son gobble up this gluten free macaroni and cheese without hesitation. In fact, we generally have only a teeny tiny bit leftover, so if you have a macaroni and cheese loving family with more than two adults and one toddler, I’d definitely recommend doubling the recipe. This dish is SO yummy, and I absolutely love that it’s made with nutrient-rich lentils, a great source of plant protein. That’s why I call it my secret weapon. Combined with the cheese sauce, a serving of this secret weapon mac & cheese is packed with 29.8 grams of protein.
This mac & cheese is best served warm. Since the pasta is made with lentil flour, the texture is more firm than wheat pasta, and this is more noticeable when the pasta is cold. Just warm your leftovers (if you have any) before enjoying for the second time. We love eating it as a main dish with a side of steamed broccoli, but it would also make a great side dish to something like grilled chicken. In addition, all this cheesy goodness is made with no added sugar. Enjoy!
Secret Weapon Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 10 oz box red lentil pasta fusilli
Cheese sauce
- 2 cups milk or almond milk
- 1 8oz brick cream cheese cubed
- 2 cups medium cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- fresh ground black pepper to taste
- salt to taste
Instructions
Pasta
- Bring about 3 quarts of water to a rolling boil and cook lentil pasta for 8 – 10 minutes, as indicated on package directions.
Cheese Sauce
- While waiting for water to boil and pasta to cook, start making the cheese sauce. Begin heating milk in medium saucepan on medium heat.
- Cut cream cheese into cubes and add to milk.
- Add 2 cups of medium cheddar cheese, shredded.
- Stir cheese sauce frequently. Reduce to low heat when cream cheese cubes have mostly become incorporated into the sauce.
- Add 1 tsp onion powder and 1/2 tsp garlic powder. Add a dash of freshly ground black pepper. Stir seasonings into cheese sauce.
- Keep sauce on low heat, stirring occasionally, until pasta is drained and ready.
Combine
- In a large pot, pour cheese sauce over pasta and stir to combine. Top with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve as a main dish, or as a delicious side dish!
