Gluten-Free Baked Ziti
- Katie Gallagher
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
This Gluten-Free Baked Ziti is a cheesy, comforting crowd-pleaser—perfect for team dinners, family gatherings, or any night you need to feed a hungry crew. It was always one of my favorite go-to meals for cross country team dinners before a big race. Hearty, filling, and 100% celiac-safe!
Cheesy, comforting, and celiac-safe—this dish feeds a crowd and warms the soul.
This Gluten-Free Baked Ziti is one of those meals that just feels like home. Whether I’m feeding my family after a long day, baking a pan for a cross-country team dinner, or dropping off a hot meal to a friend in need, this dish always delivers. It’s hearty, full of rich tomato flavor, and packed with plenty of melty cheese, and best of all, it’s completely gluten-free.
The original version of this recipe was one I made before our celiac diagnoses, but adapting it for my family (and making it even better along the way) has made it a favorite all over again. It’s one of those crowd-pleasers that everyone, from toddlers to teenagers to grandparents, goes back for seconds.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Feeds a crowd: Perfect for big family dinners or team gatherings
Celiac-safe: Every ingredient is 100% gluten-free
Make-ahead friendly: Assemble earlier in the day and bake when ready
Freezer-friendly: Great for meal trains or future dinners
How to Serve It
I almost always serve this with a crisp Italian-style salad (think romaine, red onion, pepperoncini, mozzarella and a homemade vinaigrette or Ken's Lite Northern Italian dressing), plus some gluten-free garlic bread—usually made from Against the Grain GF baguettes smothered with butter blended with roasted garlic, and parsley.
Make It for Someone You Love
This is a perfect dish to bring to another family. It reheats beautifully and travels well. I’ve made it for new parents, friends recovering from surgery, or just to say, “We’re thinking of you.” You can assemble the entire dish ahead of time and refrigerate until baking.
A Note from My Kitchen
Gluten-free living means we have to be extra careful with the ingredients we use, but it doesn't mean we miss out on the comfort foods we love. This Baked Ziti is proof that celiac-safe cooking can be every bit as delicious as the original. It’s warm, cheesy, filling, and feels like a big hug in a casserole dish.
I hope you love this as much as we do.ip
Recipe Gluten-Free Baked Ziti
e Gluten-Free Baked Ziti
1
Make Ahead & Share
You can make this up early in the day and bake later. This is a great dish to make for another family.
2
Serving
I love to serve a nice, crisp Italian salad and GF garlic bread with this dish.
Notes
1
Heat EVOO in a pan over medium heat. Saute onions until wilted, add garlic.
2
Brown lean ground beef and break it up as you go.
3
Drain fat if needed, but typically not necessary using super lean ground beef.
4
Add tomatoes with juices, but break up tomatoes into smaller bite-size pieces as you cook. Add salt, pepper, italian seasonings, and red pepper flakes.
5
Stir and simmer for 25-30 minutes.
6
Reduce heat to low. Remove 4 cups into a separate bowl or measuring cup to cool.
7
Preheat over to 350 degrees F.
In a separate pan, bring salted water to a boil and prepare GF pasta to al dente. Drain, rinse under cool water.
8
In a separate large mixing bowl, mix ricotta cheese, parmesan, egg, salt, pepper, 2 tablespoons dried parsley, and 2 cups of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
9
Add cooled, drained GF pasta to the cheese mixture in bowl and toss. Add cooled, separated meat sauce. Mix.
10
In a 9 X 13 Pryrex baking dish, layer 1/2 of the pasta mixture. Then, spoon in 1/2 of the meat sauce from the pan. Top with mozzarella cheese. Layer remainder of pasta, meat sauce, then top with remainder of mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle with remainder of dried parsley.
11
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Let stand a few minutes before serving.
Instructions
2 tablespoons EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
1 large onion diced
8 cloves garlic minced
2 lbs. 92% lean ground beef
28 oz. can whole tomatoes
28 oz. marinara or tomato sauce- I like to use Kirkland
2 tablespoons italian seasoning
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
salt and pepper
16 oz. GF Barilla Penne
15 oz. low fat ricotta cheese
24 oz. shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup quality grated parmesan cheese
1 egg
3 tablespoons dried parsley
Gluten-Free Baked Ziti
Katie Gallagher
This Gluten-Free Baked Ziti is a cheesy, comforting crowd-pleaser—perfect for team dinners, family gatherings, or any night you need to feed a hungry crew. It was always one of my favorite go-to meals for cross country team dinners before a big race. Hearty, filling, and 100% celiac-safe!
12 Servings
553 Calories / Serve
Prep Time
30 min
Cooking Time
30 min
Rest Time
10 min
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
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