If you love Italian food, this cheesy gluten-free manicotti recipe is fun 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.

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. It is pure comfort food!

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

Why my family loves this gluten-free manicotti recipe:

  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 vegetarian recipe is perfect for Meatless Monday or any day!

Allergen Information:

This homemade manicotti recipe is gluten-free, egg-free, nut-free, oat-free, and soy-free. You can make it dairy-free (vegan) by using plant-based cheeses.

Photo of the manicotti ingredients.

Ingredient Notes:

For the full list of ingredients and amounts, please go to the recipe card below.

  • Gluten-Free Manicotti Noodlesโ€”I have found only one brand, Jovial. They are big and easy to fill with cheese.
  • 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.

Step-By-Step Photos and 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.

๐Ÿ‘€ Sandi Says: 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 baked pasta in sauce.

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

Step 2: Add all the cheese and seasonings in a bowl. Mix well.

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

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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 or 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 list of variations below for lots of sauce options. You can use marinara, alfredo, pesto, meat sauce, etc!

Step 8: Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake at 350ยบ F for 25-30 minutes until it is bubbly and hot. Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should keep fresh for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

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:

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

Flavor variations:

  • Use my homemade gluten free alfredo sauce instead of a red sauce.
  • For more protein, add cooked ground beef or sausage to the cheese mixture. 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!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can you make this recipe vegan?

You can make this recipe vegan using 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.

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:

Love This Recipe?

If you made and enjoyed this recipe, I would be incredibly grateful if you could leave a comment below. This will help others know this recipe is delicious. Thank you!

A plate with two cheese stuffed manicotti.

Gluten Free Manicotti

Sandi Gaertner
A delicious homemade cheese stuffed gluten free manicotti recipe.
5 from 4 votes
an egg free allergen icon
gluten free allergy icon
nut free allergen icon
soy free allergy icon
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Meal Recipes
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 people
Calories 332 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 7 ounces manicotti shells
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • โ…“ cup parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • ยฝ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ยฝ teaspoon salt
  • โ…“ cup mozzarella cheese

Topping

  • ยฝ cup mozzarella cheese
  • 24 ounces pasta sauce

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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 350ยบ 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 350ยบ 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
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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.

5 from 4 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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2 Comments

  1. 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!