Gluten Free Mac & Cheese in a Box

Oct 29, 2024 by Chef David

By: Chef David

Mac & Cheese is a classic meal that might conjure happy childhood memories. However, it presents a problem for the gluten intolerant or those who have moved away from pasta made of white flour, semolina, or wheat flour. Fortunately, with the increase in available gluten-free pasta, there is a wide selection for who those want to make their own Mac & Cheese.

For those who only want an easy instant meal in a box, there is Jovial Foods certified by the OK, and Banza certified kosher dairy by the OU.  Both brands offer tastes reminiscent of traditional pasta, but perfect for the gluten-free kosher consumer.

Jovial foods – Mac And Cheese

Jovial Foods provides a new twist on an old theme, with two gluten-free offerings –  Vegan-Mac which is gluten and dairy-free, and a gluten-free option made with white cheddar. The macaroni contained only one ingredient – organic brown rice pasta. Jovial pasta is dried at low temperatures and pressed with traditional bronze dies (rather than using Teflon dies).

The pasta has a mouth-feel familiar to the gluten-free crowd though different than regular pasta.

The vegan ‘cheese’ sauce (intended to taste like cheddar) is made of rice syrup solids, palm oil power, and corn starch. A one-cup serving contains 270 calories with 5 grams of protein, 2 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of fiber. The sodium content is 400 mg.

The cheese package for the dairy version contains cheddar cheese and buttermilk. A one-cup serving contains 9 grams of protein, 2 grams of fiber, and 6 grams of sugar, with a similar sodium level. Our testers unsurprisingly preferred the dairy version.

Jovial Foods Story

Jovial Foods, Inc. was founded by Carla and Rodolfo, a husband-and-wife team. They have always been passionate about food, farming, and traditions. When they discovered their daughter had gluten sensitivity, they looked for solutions including uncovering a nearly extinct ancient grain called einkorn whose weak gluten makes it easier to digest, and developing brown rice pasta.

Jovial Foods provides a large variety of gluten-free products available in supermarkets and online.

Banza – Mac & Cheese

Banza uses chickpeas for its gluten-free pasta. Chickpeas are a good protein source. Banza offers both vegan and white cheddar cheese options. We tried the dairy version made of cheddar cheese, buttermilk, whey, lactic acid, and nonfat dry milk.

Banza pasta is made from chickpeas, pea starch, and tapioca. A one-cup serving contains 280 calories with 16 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber, and 640 mg of sodium. Banza provides 20% RDA of calcium and 15% RDA of iron and potassium.

Banza’s offering extends beyond Mac ‘n’ Cheese, including pasta, pizza, and rice, all made from chickpeas. Note: not all Banza products are kosher.

Store locator or shop online

Banza Story

In 2014 brothers Brian and Scott Rudolph created Banza as a healthy gluten-free option. Brian created the recipe after experimenting in his home kitchen in Detroit, while Scott brought his private equity background. They learned the business from experts, participating in the Chobani Incubator program.

They have positioned Banza as nutrition-positive, with nearly twice the protein, more than four times the fiber, and forty percent fewer net carbs than traditional pasta. You can locate Banza in the pasta aisle where its bright orange box stands out.

Simple Prep

The instructions for preparing both boxed brands are simple, just like making regular pasta

• Boil 6 cups in a medium pan, stir in pasta, and boil for 8 – 9 minutes.
• Drain with a colander.
• Add 3 tablespoons of milk (or almond milk) to a warm saucepan. Add 2 tablespoons of butter (or vegan butter) and sprinkle the cheese package into milk.
• Stir to combine, and let thicken.
• Add the cooked pasta. Stir well. Eat and enjoy.

Our Thoughts

Being able to purchase kosher gluten-free mac and cheese in a box is amazing. This eliminates the thought and preparation process, making it an easy meal and an exceptional choice for traveling (or for college students). These boxes make low-fuss satisfying meals.

We felt the texture of the non-wheat pasta had an al dente mouthfeel which worked well for Mac & Cheese.  Both could benefit from lower salt and more flavor in the cheese sauce.

America’s Test Kitchen (ATK) provides an easy recipe to amplify the flavor.

Simple Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese

ATK set out to make a smooth, creamy, cheesy sauce without the bother of a béchamel or custard. The whole dish takes just 25 minutes and is cooked on the stovetop.  Punch up the flavor with a more flavorful extra-sharp cheddar or add a bit of mustard and cayenne pepper.

ATK cooked the macaroni in a smaller-than-usual amount of water (along with some milk), so we didn’t have to drain it. The liquid left after the elbows were hydrated should be just enough to form the base of the sauce for traditional pasta. You may need to adjust the water when using gluten-free pasta.

Ingredients

• • 1 ½ cups water
  • 1 cup milk
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni
  • 4 ounces processed cheese, shredded (1 cup)
  • ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Small pinch of cayenne pepper
  • 4 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup)

Instructions

1. 1. Bring water and milk to boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Stir in macaroni and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring frequently, until macaroni is soft (slightly past al dente), 6 to 8 minutes.
   2. Add processed cheese, mustard, and cayenne and cook, stirring constantly, until cheese is completely melted, about 1 minute.
   3. Turn off the heat, and stir in cheddar until evenly distributed but not melted. Cover the saucepan and let stand for 5 minutes.
   4. Stir macaroni until sauce is smooth (sauce may look loose but will thicken as it cools). (Season with salt and pepper to taste)
   5. Transfer to a warm serving dish. Serve immediately.

Warming Comfort Food

With the colder weather approaching, consider making Mac & Cheese your new traditional family-friendly comfort food. Simplify your meal prep with Banza or Jovial Mac & Cheese in a box, or try their gluten-free pasta options or create your own recipes.

Welcome the magic of Mac & Cheese.

Happy eating.