• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Fearless Dining
  • New? Start Here
  • Recipe Index
  • Cookbooks
  • GF Resources
    • Pantry
  • The Gluten Free Resource Guide: Everything You Need To Know About Gluten Free Living
  • Reader Testimonials
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Resources
    • My Pantry
  • Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • About
    • Testimonials
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Resources
      • My Pantry
    • Recipes
    • Cookbooks
    • About
      • Testimonials
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home Recipes Pizza and Pasta Recipes

    Easy Gluten Free Cheese Manicotti

    Published: Dec 20, 2021 by Sandi Gaertner · 2 Comments · As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    • Facebook
    • Yummly
    • Flipboard
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    a pinterest collage image of the manicotti

    If you love Italian food, this cheesy gluten free cheese manicotti is a fun recipe to make. It is full of the Italian flavors you love. I include several sauces and filling options so you can customize this recipe any way you like!

    A plate with two cheese stuffed manicotti.
    Jump to:
    • Why this recipe is great:
    • Ingredient notes:
    • Recipe step-by-step directions:
    • Make ahead directions:
    • Variations:
    • Storage:
    • Tips and Recipe FAQ:
    • More gluten free Italian recipes:
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Fearless Dining
    • 💬 Comments

    If you are looking for a cheesy easy dinner recipe to make, this gluten free manicotti recipe is for you! I stuffed these gluten free manicotti shells with creamy seasoned ricotta cheese, and then I cooked with a homemade pasta sauce is pure comfort food!

    If your family loves comfort foods too, this gluten free ziti casserole is another delicious dinner recipe to try.

    Why this recipe is great:

    1. This recipe is made with wholesome easy to find ingredients.
    2. You can fill this manicotti with so many delicious fillings!
    3. They are fun to fill with cheese.
    4. This recipe is vegetarian so it is perfect for Meatless Monday or any day!

    Ingredient notes:

    Photo of the manicotti ingredients.
    • Gluten free manicotti noodles - There is only one brand that I have found, Jovial. They are big and easy to fill with cheese filling.
    • Ricotta cheese - Many wonder if ricotta cheese is gluten free. Yes, ricotta cheese is gluten free, so you can enjoy it in this recipe. I would recommend always double-checking the label.
    • Mozzarella cheese - You can buy a block and shred your own or use pre-shredded.
    • Dries herbs and spices - I use dried oregano, basil, and garlic powder in this recipe. Herbs and spices are gluten free, but some may be processed on shared equipment, so be sure to read the label.
    • Oil - You will need oil to boil your manicotti noodles in to prevent them from sticking together.

    If you love pasta, you may also love this One Pot Gluten Free Italian recipe.

    Recipe step-by-step directions:

    Photos of the manicotti boiling.

    Step 1: Cook your manicotti shells according to package directions. Cook them 1-minute LESS than what the box says.

    HINT: Add 1 tablespoon of oil to the water you cook the manicotti in to prevent them from sticking together. To prevent your manicotti from getting mushy, I recommend cooking them 1 minute less than the package recommends. Al dente is better for pasta being baked in sauce.

    You can read all of my tips on how to cook gluten free pasta to avoid mushy pasta.

    Step 2: In a bowl, add all of the cheese and seasonings. Mix well.

    Photos making the cheese mixture and putting it into a piping bag.

    Step 3: This is what your cheese mixture should look like. You can also use a food processor to mix them.

    Step 4: Put the cheese mixture into a piping bag or a plastic baggie. If you use a baggie like me, cut the corner off the bag so the cheese mixture can come out. Be sure to make the cut hole smaller than the width of the manicotti shells.

    Photos showing how to fill the manicotti with cheese.

    Step 5: Squeeze the baggie or piping bag so the cheese mixture goes through and fills the entire manicotti. Place the manicotti in a casserole dish.

    Step 6: Place the manicotti in a casserole dish.

    Photos adding the sauce and cheese layers.

    Step 7: Pour pasta sauce over the stuffed gluten free manicotti. Check out my variations list below for lots of sauce options. You can use marinara, alfredo, pesto, meat sauce, etc!

    Step 8: Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake at 350º F for 25-30 minutes until it is bubbly and hot.

    If you love cheesy pasta recipes, you will also love my gluten free chicken tetrazzini recipe.

    An 8x8 white baking dish filled with baked manicotti.

    Make ahead directions:

    Prepare the stuffed cheese manicotti as directed above to make this dish ahead. Do all of the steps before baking. Instead of baking the manicotti, wrap the casserole dish in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Bake it within 2 days.

    Variations:

    • Use my homemade gluten free alfredo sauce instead of a red sauce.
    • Add cooked ground beef or sausage to the cheese mixture for more protein. My ground pork pasta sauce is delicious in this recipe!
    • Feel free to add some spinach or other veggies.
    • Use this yummy nut-free pesto sauce!

    Storage:

    Store the leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. It should keep fresh for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

    Tips and Recipe FAQ:

    Can you make this recipe vegan?

    You can easily make this recipe vegan by using a dairy-free cheese like VioLife or Daiya.

    Where can you find gluten free manicotti shells?

    The only brand I have seen in grocery stores is Jovial. You can probably find them online via Amazon and Thrive Market.

    Can you make this gluten free stuffed manicotti recipe ahead?

    You can easily make this recipe ahead by boiling the manicotti and stuffing it with cheese. Wrap it in plastic wrap and put it into the refrigerator. Add the sauce and mozzarella cheese before baking.

    What pasta sauces are gluten free?

    If you are using store-bought sauce, here are a few brands that are gluten free: Mezetta, Rao's, Muir Glen, Botticelli, Barilla, and Classico.

    More gluten free Italian recipes:

    • Chicken Feta Pasta
    • Creamy Gluten Free Fettuccine Alfredo
    • Easy Gluten Free Tuna Noodle Casserole
    • Quick and Easy Air Fryer Portobello Pizzas

    📖 Recipe

    a plate with two cheese stuffed manicotti

    Gluten Free Manicotti

    Sandi Gaertner
    A delicious homemade cheese stuffed gluten free manicotti recipe.
    5 from 3 votes
    an egg free allergen icon
    gluten free allergy icon
    nut free allergen icon
    soy free allergy icon
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 25 minutes mins
    Total Time 45 minutes mins
    Course Meal Recipes
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 332 kcal

    *As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

    Ingredients
      

    • 7 ounces manicotti shells
    • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
    • ⅓ cup parmesan cheese
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 1 teaspoon dried basil
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ⅓ cup mozzarella cheese

    Topping

    • ½ cup mozzarella cheese
    • 24 ounces pasta sauce

    Instructions
     

    • Cook your manicotti shells according to package directions. Cook them 1 minute LESS than what the box says.
    • HINT: Add 1 tablespoon of oil to the water you cook the manicotti in to prevent them from sticking together. To prevent your manicotti from getting mushy, I recommend cooking them 1 minute less than the package recommends. Al dente is better for pasta being baked in sauce.
    • Preheat the oven to 350º F.
    • In a bowl, add all of the cheese and seasonings. Mix well.
    • Put the cheese mixture into either a piping bag or plastic baggie. If you are using a baggie like me, cut the corner off the bag so the cheese mixture can come out. Be sure to make the cut hole smaller than the width of the manicotti shells.
    • Squeeze the baggie or piping bag so the cheese mixture goes through and fills the entire manicotti. Place the manicotti in a casserole dish.
    • Place the manicotti in a casserole dish.
    • Pour pasta sauce over the stuffed gluten free manicotti. Check out my variations list below for lots of sauce options. You can use marinara, alfredo, pesto, meat sauce, etc!
    • Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake at 350º F for 25-30 minutes until it is bubbly and hot.

    Notes

    1. Jovial is the only gluten free manicotti shells that I have been able to find. They are at most grocery stores, Amazon, and Thrive Market.
    2. There are quite a few gluten free jarred pasta sauces like Barilla, Mezzetta, Rao's, and Classico. You can also make your own.
    3. This stuffed manicotti will keep fresh in an air-tight container in the refrigerator up to 4 days.

    SPECIAL NOTE

    Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn't test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 332kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 23gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 78mgSodium: 1552mgPotassium: 717mgFiber: 3gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 1443IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 473mgIron: 3mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @FearlessDining or tag #FearlessDining!

    Nutrition Disclaimer

    Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.

    Fearless Dining

    Simplifying the art of baking and cooking gluten-free recipes.

    Get Free Recipes To Your Inbox
    Buy My Cookbook
    Join My Facebook Group
    • Instagram
    • Bandcamp
    • Twitter
    • Twitch

    More Gluten Free Pizza and Pasta Recipes

    • an alfredo zucchini casserole on a table
      Cheesy Lasagna Alfredo With Zucchini Noodles
    • A big serving spoon full of ziti casserole.
      Kid-Friendly Gluten Free Baked Ziti Casserole
    • a close up of a plate of chicken spaghetti.
      One Pot Gluten Free Chicken Spaghetti
    • a cheese topped sliced gluten free flatbread on a wooden cutting board
      Easy Gluten Free Flatbread Recipe
    • Facebook
    • Yummly
    • Flipboard

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Kym

      January 05, 2022 at 9:25 am

      Can this dish be frozen? If so, can it be divided up into single portions and frozen? Being single & gluten free, most dishes are way too much. Thx!

      Reply
      • Sandi Gaertner

        January 05, 2022 at 4:15 pm

        Hi Kym, I haven't tested freezing these manicotti to see how they hold up. If I make them again I am happy to test this.

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    • Amazon
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    A picture of my face standing in front of landscape bushes

    Welcome to my blog! I am so glad you are here. If you have Celiac Disease, gluten intolerance, or a wheat allergy, you've come to the right place for delicious recipes. I have years of extensive experience in gluten free recipe development, and I am excited to help you. I am a seasoned gluten free recipe developer and I test recipes multiple times with multiple gluten free flour blends so you know what works. I specialize in creating easy, family-friendly recipes that rival their gluten-filled counterparts.

    More about me →

    Holiday Recipes:

    • a metal holiday gift tin filled with cookies
      Gluten Free Cardamom Cookies
    • Two baked loaves of gluten free panettone bread on a rack.
      Gluten Free Panettone Bread
    • Baked gluten free gingerbread cinnamon rolls with icing.
      Gluten Free Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls
    • gluten free brownie bites decorated with icing Christmas trees on a platter
      Easy Gluten Free Brownie Bites

    More Holiday Recipes!

    A glass bowl filled with my gluten free flour blend.

    Try My DIY Gluten Free Flour Blend Recipe! It is also gum-free!

    Trending Gluten Free Recipes:

    • Two slices of gluten free bread on a plate.
      Bake the Best Gluten Free Bread with Your Bread Machine
    • A baked pie crust in a pan.
      How to Make a Homemade Gluten Free Pie Crust
    • Two bowls of chicken soup with a garlic press and garlic cloves next to the bowls.
      Grandma's Chicken Soup From Scratch
    • A biscuit cut in half on a plate with butter.
      The Best Flaky Gluten Free Biscuits

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work With Me
    • Web Stories

    Copyright © 2013-2023 Fearless Dining, LLC.