Four-ingredient gluten free cheesy pasta comes together in one pan and needs just 20 minutes to make! Super satisfying and just rich enough, this easy classic proves that good food doesn’t need flour—or fuss—to be absolutely irresistible.
This deliciously comforting gluten free recipe for cheesy pasta can serve as your canvas for a satisfying dinner. Keep to gluten-free spaghetti and dress it simply with melted butter and Parmesan, or dive into an almost endless list of possibilities to make it even more robust. And when you use the right kind of pasta (don't worry, I'll give you a lot of tips!), you won't even be able to tell this is a gluten-free dish, I promise. AND it's made just in one pot! Add a side of carrot cauliflower soup or vegetarian cream of tomato soup and dinner is done!
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Why I Love This Cheesy Pasta Recipe
A great cheesy pasta needs a bit of patience that more than pays off in a silky smooth, easy-to-make glossy sauce that coats every shape of pasta from thin noodles to macaroni. My method begins with the right gluten-free pasta cooked to perfection (not too chewy, not too mushy). Save some pasta water to help kickstart the made-in-the-pan sauce. Here are some highlights:
- Cheese and pasta, without compromise - Cheesy, luscious, and every bit as satisfying as the classic version.
- No gluten, no problem - With the right pasta and technique, you won’t miss the wheat.
- Quick and easy - This easy dish comes together in less than a half hour, making it perfect for busy weeknights or whenever you crave something indulgent at the spur of the moment.
- Versatile and customizable - Keep it classic or mix in veggies, spices, or extra cheese to make it your own.
- Comfort food at its best - There's not much better than pasta, butter, and cheese!
Ingredient Notes
Again, just a handful of simple basics are all you'll need for this crave-worthy recipe. Make sure to scroll down to my recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full ingredient amounts and instructions!
- Gluten free pasta - You can use any shape or brand of pasta you prefer to make this recipe. The photos show gluten free spaghetti.
- Butter - I use unsalted butter, but salted is fine. You can add more butter if you like.
- Parmesan cheese - Add more cheese for a cheesier pasta!
- Salt and pepper
What Type of Pasta Should I Use?
My favorite brand of gluten-free pasta is Jovial gluten-free pasta, which is made from brown rice flour. I find that it holds its shape super well during cooking, and the spaghetti especially mimics regular wheat spaghetti to the point where my kids can't tell the difference. This is a loose method of a recipe, and it can be tailored to any pasta shape you like best. I also make it using gluten-free ziti and gluten-free elbows.
How to Make Easy, Cheesy Pasta
Here's a quick look at how you'll make this comfort-food pasta meal!
- Make the pasta: Cook the pasta to al dente and set aside, saving some of the water.
- Melt butter: Melt the butter in a large skillet.
- Add pasta: Stir in the pasta and some cooking water, then stir in the cheese.
- Finish: Stir the pasta while the cheese melts, tossing to coat.
Variations: Make It Your Own
- Bake it! Pour the prepared pasta into a baking dish, top it with more cheese and gluten-free breadcrumbs, and bake at 375°F for about 15 minutes until bubbly and crisp on top.
- Add pesto - Swirl in a few tablespoons of basil or sun-dried tomato pesto for herby, bright contrast.
- Add a dash of cream - Stir in a splash of cream or whole milk along with the cheese to make a looser sauce that’s ultra-rich and velvety. Or a touch of mascarpone cheese stirred in at the end adds a luxurious finish.
- Spice - Add ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika or a pinch of red pepper flakes for a kick of heat. For something bolder, stir in a spoonful of harissa or chopped pickled jalapeños.
- Other cheese - Mix in crumbled blue cheese or aged white cheddar for a more complex flavor.
- Acid - A dash of apple cider vinegar or a squeeze of lemon juice beautifully balances the heaviness of the cheese.
- Veggies - Any vegetables you like are amazing here. Toss in roasted broccoli or cauliflower florets, caramelized onions, wilted spinach, baked cubes of butternut squash, or peas for added texture and flavor.
Substitution Suggestions & Tips
- Choose the right type of pasta. Not all gluten-free pastas are created equal. Choose a brown rice or chickpea-based variety for the best texture. Corn-based pasta can be delicious but may turn mushy faster.
- Salt the water generously. This is a simple dish, so adding flavor where you can will make a difference. A heavily salted pot of water ensures every bite is seasoned from the inside out.
- Save the pasta water – The secret to a silky, restaurant-quality cheese sauce is the addition of a bit of starchy pasta water. You'd be surprised at how much starch gluten-free pasta releases while it's cooking. Add a tablespoon or two to the pan as you create the sauce to help the cheese melt and bind it to the pasta.
- Cook it on low. High heat makes cheese seize and separate, so even though we're doing a sort of cheater sauce, the same principle holds. Keep the temperature low, stir gently, and let the cheese melt at its own pace.
- Finish with olive oil. Just before serving, swirl in a little extra virgin olive oil. The oil rounds out the flavors and helps the sauce cling better to the pasta.
- Season generously. Don't skimp on the salt and pepper! You can also add a sprinkling of herbs like dried basil or oregano.
Serving Ideas: Beyond the Bowl
- Go Fancy: A pinch of truffle salt or a handful of caramelized onions turns this into something worthy of a dinner party.
- Classic Comfort: Spoon cheesy pasta into deep bowls and garnish them with a little extra Parmesan and cracked black pepper. A drizzle of olive oil adds a final flourish.
- A Side of Vegetables A crisp green salad with a lemony vinaigrette is the perfect light accompaniment. Or, for something cozier, serve pasta alongside sweet-salty roasted cauliflower or garlicky sautéed greens.
- Add Protein: Stir in shredded rotisserie chicken, crispy pancetta, baked salmon pieces, or drained and lightly sauteed chickpeas for a heartier twist.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Transfer pasta to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of milk or a little butter, stir in some cheese, then heat in the microwave or in a pan on the stove over low heat until the cheese is melted and the pasta is heated through.
More Simple Pasta Recipes
If you try this gluten free cheesy pasta recipe, please let me know! And if you have any questions, always feel free to reach out in the comments or by email. I hope you love it! ❤️
Gluten Free Cheesy Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 pound gluten free pasta , of your choice
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Make the 1 pound gluten free pasta according to the package directions, cooking until just al dente. Drain and reserve some of the pasta water.
- Melt the 3 tablespoons butterover medium heat in a pan on the stove. Add the pasta and 1 cup parmesan cheese along with some of the pasta water. Stir and toss to coat the pasta in the butter and cheese. Cook on low until the cheese is melted. Season with Salt and pepper to taste and serve hot topped with more cheese and pepper.
Notes
- Choose the right type of pasta. Not all gluten-free pastas are created equal. Choose a brown rice or chickpea-based variety for the best texture. Corn-based pasta can be delicious but may turn mushy faster.
- Salt the water generously. This is a simple dish, so adding flavor where you can will make a difference. A heavily salted pot of water ensures every bite is seasoned from the inside out.
- Save the pasta water – The secret to a silky, restaurant-quality cheese sauce is the addition of a bit of starchy pasta water. You'd be surprised at how much starch gluten-free pasta releases while it's cooking. Add a tablespoon or two to the pan as you create the sauce to help the cheese melt and bind it to the pasta.
- Cook it on low. High heat makes cheese seize and separate, so even though we're doing a sort of cheater sauce, the same principle holds. Keep the temperature low, stir gently, and let the cheese melt at its own pace.
- Finish with olive oil. Just before serving, swirl in a little extra virgin olive oil. The oil rounds out the flavors and helps the sauce cling better to the pasta.
- Season generously. Don't skimp on the salt and pepper! You can also add a sprinkling of herbs like dried basil or oregano.
I'd love to hear from you! Please leave me a note.