# Gluten-Free Macaroni Meals Trader Joe's New Gluten Free Mac & Cheese Put a Twist on Comfort Food By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2018-08-23 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gluten-free-mac-cheese References: [traderjoes](https://www.traderjoes.com/digin/post/gluten-free-mac--cheese) In an effort to cater to those who have opted for a gluten-free lifestyle, either out of choice or necessity, [Trader Joe's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gluten-free-tagliatelle-pasta) has debuted a new Gluten Free Mac & Cheese. While the brand carried a frozen version of the dish some years back, the product recently received an update to make it even cheesier and more delicious. Unlike its predecessor, Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Mac & Cheese is made with the same [four-cheese blend](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/goodles-mac-and-cheese-flavors) used to create the brand's beloved Diner Mac: Cheddar, Swiss, Havarti, and Gouda. To give the dish extra creaminess, Trader Joe's also adds milk and a house-made, gluten free béchamel sauce. Finally, the pasta consists of "a corkscrew-shaped Rotini made with a blend of corn, rice, lentil, and quinoa flours." The result is a gluten-free take on comfort food that doesn't taste like it's gluten-free. Image Credit: *Trader Joe's.* ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.6/10 - Popularity: 9% | Activity: 2% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Gluten-free Comfort Food:** The success of Trader Joe's gluten-free mac & cheese demonstrates a demand for satisfying comfort foods made with gluten-free ingredients. - **Catering to Special Diets:** Creating gluten-free versions of popular foods can attract and retain customers with dietary restrictions. - **Innovative Gluten-free Flour Blends:** As the demand for gluten-free products grows, there is an opportunity to experiment with unique flour blends to create delicious and nutritious alternatives. ### Where This Applies - **Food Retail:** Grocery stores and restaurants can create specialty gluten-free product lines and menus to cater to customers with dietary restrictions. - **Food Manufacturing:** Manufacturers can develop innovative gluten-free flour blends and products to meet the demand for gluten-free options. - **Healthy Convenience Foods:** As consumers continue to prioritize health and convenience, there is an opportunity to create nutritious and tasty gluten-free ready-to-eat and frozen meals. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Artificial Dye-Free Macaronis](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cheddar-macaroni-cheese.md) - [Gluten-Free Mac-and-Cheese Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kraft-mac-cheese-cups.md) - [Gluten-Free Tagliatelle Pastas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gluten-free-tagliatelle-pasta.md) - [Ready-To-Bake Gluten-Free Pizzas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/trader-joes-gluten-free-cheese-pizza.md) - [Gluten-Free Chickpea Fusilli Pasta](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chickpea-fusilli-pasta.md) - [Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gluten-free-chocolate-chip-cookies.md) - [Gluten-Free Instant Macaronis](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/goodles-glutenfree.md) - [Crisp Gluten-Free Pizza Crusts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gluten-free-pizza-crusts.md) - [Festive Pumpkin-Filled Ravioli](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gluten-free-pumpkin-ravioli.md)