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Home » Recipes » Diets » Gluten Free » Gluten Free Baked Ziti

February 22, 2018 · Updated June 19, 2020 · 2 Comments

Gluten Free Baked Ziti

Gluten Free· Healthy· Main Dishes· Recipes

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This gluten free baked ziti is so flavorful that you might like it even better than the “real thing!” Can be made dairy free too!

This gluten free baked ziti is so flavorful that you might like it even better than the "real thing!" Can be made dairy free too!

Gluten Free Baked Ziti

Baked ziti is one of my all-time favorite dishes — I love it even more than lasagna (which is similar but uses different style noodles).

There’s just something about a dish of baked ziti, hot out of the oven, that is so incredibly satisfying. Truly the ultimate comfort food!

Unfortunately, after I became lactose intolerant (it often happens in early adulthood), AND started eating gluten free (during my first pregnancy), cheesy noodle dishes like this were off the table.

Baked penne pasta in bowl topped with cheese

Fast forward a few years when I met the man of my dreams…and he could COOK!

My husband’s specialty is creating gluten and dairy free versions of my favorite splurge recipes, and this gluten ziti is one of his best dishes yet!

So if you’re like me and have a picky tummy, or just want to try a better-for-you version of this comfort food classic, I know you won’t be disappointed!

–Stacey

How to make baked ziti that's gluten free and dairy free

Gluten Free Baked Ziti Ingredients

For your convenience, I’ve included shop-able ad links to supplies I used to make this recipe; disclosure policy here.

  • 1 package gluten free ziti (or penne) pasta
  • 1 pound Italian sausage
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 jar pasta sauce (30 ounces)
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese (regular or veggie cheese both work)
  • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon golden balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
  • 6 -8 slices mozzarella cheese (regular or veggie cheese both work)

Free printable version of this recipe available at end of post.

Keep reading for cooking tips or  click here to jump to printable recipe. 

This gluten free baked ziti is so flavorful that you might like it even better than the "real thing!" Can be made dairy free too!

How to Make Gluten Free Baked Ziti

We actually made our baked ziti both gluten free and lactose free. If you’ve ever made traditional baked ziti, the setup and cooking time should be just about the same. (Ours actually cooks a few minutes faster than some other recipes I’ve seen).

Since some veggie cheese and gluten free pastas cook a little differently than the standard version of those ingredients, we slightly modified our baked ziti recipe to take into account those unique properties and to ensure that everything cooks perfectly.

Recipe Notes:

You might have noticed “golden balsamic vinegar” in the ingredients list. If you can’t find this at your local grocer, simply use regular balsamic vinegar in its place (so two TB regular instead of one). However, my husband LOVES golden balsamic because it adds a complex flavor and is slightly lighter than the regular, so he uses it in a lot of his recipes now.

Note: If you can’t find gluten free ziti at your grocer, you can substitute gluten free penne pasta, as it is very similar. You’re also welcome to use real dairy cheese in this recipe, if lactose is not a concern for you.

Gluten Free Baked Ziti Pasta Recipe

Grab a free printable copy of our gluten free baked ziti recipe below:

gluten free baked ziti in glass dish
Print Recipe
4.88 from 8 votes

Gluten Free Baked Ziti

This gluten free baked ziti is so flavorful that you might like it even better than the "real thing!" Can be made dairy free too!
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time25 minutes mins
Total Time30 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 8
Calories: 512kcal
Author: Stacey aka the Soccer Mom

Ingredients

  • 1 package gluten free ziti noodles may substitute penne
  • 1 pound Italian sausage
  • 1 onion diced
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 1 can diced tomatoes 15 ounces
  • 1 jar spaghetti sauce 30 ounces
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese  regular or veggie cheese both work
  • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon golden balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil chopped
  • 6 -8 slices mozzarella cheese regular or veggie cheese both work

Instructions

  • Sauté onions and peppers over medium heat with a tablespoon of cooking oil or light coating of cooking spray.
  • When veggies begin to soften, add Italian sausage and cook until it begins to brown. Add can of tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, parmesan cheese, vinegar (may use regular balsamic alone if you don't have golden balsamic available), garlic powder. Cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Meanwhile, prepare the pasta separately, according to directions on package. Remove from heat about 3 minutes before the packages says (you want pasta to be slightly underdone).
  • Drain pasta, then add to a large mixing bowl with the meat sauce. Stir together until pasta is well incorporated in sauce.
  • Pour everything into a large baking dish and layer with 6-8 slices of mozzarella cheese. (We used lactose-free veggie cheese).
  • Broil for 5-7 minutes until cheese begins to melt. If using veggie cheese, it may not melt as much as regular cheese, but it should soften.
  • Remove dish from oven and sprinkle with chopped fresh basil.

Notes

Note: Nutrition information is a rough estimate only; actual values will vary based on the exact ingredients used and amount of recipe prepared.

Nutrition

Calories: 512kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 1548mg | Potassium: 726mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1375IU | Vitamin C: 33.5mg | Calcium: 726mg | Iron: 2.6mg

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Baked ziti pasta in casserole dish

More of our favorite gluten free comfort food recipes:

Sweet potato pizza - gluten free, dairy free

Sweet Potato Crust Pizza with BBQ Chicken

Rich, creamy, savory...and GOOD for you?! This Sweet Potato Mac & Cheese will satisfy your cravings PLUS it's gluten free, lactose free, & full of veggies!

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p style=”text-align: center;”>Sweet Potato Mac & Cheese

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Stacey aka the Soccer Mom
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom
Stacey is the creator of The Soccer Mom Blog, a Houston Texas mom blog that focuses on positive living for women and families. She loves to share real food recipes, money-saving tips, parenting encouragement, kids activities, DIY tutorials, home hacks, fitness, and so much more! To get to know Stacey even better, click here.
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom
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  1. Gluten Free & Dairy Free Sweet Potato Mac & Cheese - The Soccer Mom Blog says:
    February 22, 2018 at 4:34 pm

    […] – You might also like our gluten free baked ziti recipe […]

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  2. Easy Gluten Free Casserole Recipes - Tasty Casseroles says:
    May 17, 2018 at 1:26 am

    […] 6. Gluten Free Baked Ziti […]

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