Gluten Free Pepperjack Mac n' Cheese
 
Prep time
Cook time
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This Gluten Free Pepperjack Mac n' Cheese is covered in a creamy pepperjack cheddar sauce and mixed with bits of onions, red and green bell peppers, and fresh smoked ham. It's an easy thirty minute weeknight meal.
Author:
Recipe type: Pasta
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • ½ medium onion, diced
  • 1 small red bell pepper, seeded and diced
  • 1 small green bell pepper, seeded and diced
  • ¾ pound smoked deli ham, cut into ¼" cubes**
  • 1½ cups half and half
  • ¾ cup milk
  • ¼ teaspoon ground mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon salt, plus more for seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika
  • dash of cayenne
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, cut into 1" chunks
  • 1½ cups shredded pepperjack cheese
  • ⅓ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 12 ounces Barilla brand gluten free elbow noodles
Directions
  1. Prepare all ingredients by dicing the onion and bell peppers. Cube the ham and cream cheese. Shred both the pepperjack and cheddar cheeses. Set all ingredients aside and begin preparing meal.
  2. In a large pot, heat water for noodles to boiling and cook according to package directions.*
  3. While water begins heating and noodles are cooking, prepare veggies and sauce. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat until onion drops in pan sizzles. Add diced onions, red bell peppers, and green bell peppers. Season with a few sprinkles of salt and pepper. Reduce heat to just above medium and sauté until vegetables are crisp tender, stirring occasionally. About 6-7 minutes.
  4. While veggies are cooking prepare sauce by mixing together half and half, milk, ground mustard, salt, garlic powder, pepper, paprika, and cayenne. Mix until combined.
  5. Once veggies are crisp tender, add ham pieces and sauté an additional 2-3 minutes until ham is lightly browning. Pour in milk mixture and heat over medium heat until warm. Add cream cheese and shredded pepperjack and cheddar cheeses. Stir until cheeses are melted and sauce is smooth.
  6. Once pasta is done cooking, drain well and pour into sauce. Stir until pasta is well coated. Serve warm with desired toppings.
Notes
*I usually cook my gluten free pastas an additional 2 minutes so they are a bit more tender. Check the pasta at the designated cook time and decide if you would like yours softer.
**I had the worker at the deli counter cut my ham into thick slices, a #6 on their machine.
Recipe by Breezy Bakes at https://www.breezybakesgf.com/gluten-free-pepperjack-mac-n-cheese/