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!
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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:
- This recipe is made with wholesome easy to find ingredients.
- You can fill this manicotti with so many delicious fillings!
- They are fun to fill with cheese.
- This recipe is vegetarian so it is perfect for Meatless Monday or any day!
Ingredient notes:
- Gluten free manicotti noodles - There is only one brand that I have found, Jovial. They are big and easy to fill with the 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.
Recipe step by step directions:
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Make ahead directions:
To make this dish ahead, prepare the stuffed cheese manicotti as directed above. Do all of the steps prior to 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 delicioius 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:
You can easily make this recipe vegan by using a dairy-free cheese like VioLife or Daiya.
The only brand I have seen in grocery stores is Jovial. You can probably find them online via Amazon and Thrive Market.
You can easily make this recipe ahead by boiling the manicotti and stuffing it with cheese. Wrap in plastic wrap and put it into the refrigerator. Add the sauce and mozzarella cheese before baking.
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 pasta recipes:
- Gluten free One Pot Italian Pasta
- Chicken Feta Pasta
- Creamy Gluten Free Fettucinne Alfredo
- Easy Gluten Free Tuna Noodle Casserole
Recipe
Gluten Free Manicotti
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
- 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.
- There are quite a few gluten free jarred pasta sauces like Barilla, Mezzetta, Rao's, and Classico. You can also make your own.
- This stuffed manicotti will keep fresh in an air-tight container in the refrigerator up to 4 days.
Nutrition
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.
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Kym
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!
Sandi Gaertner
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.