Gluten-Free Baked Ziti

Our gluten-free baked ziti with sausage is a delicious kid-friendly dinner. It’s packed with flavor from a combo of pork sausage and beef, tomatoes, and ricotta, along with lots of mozzarella and parmesan cheese.

Hearty and bursting with flavor, this is a must-try recipe! It’s the perfect dish to feed a crowd or meal prep to serve any night of the week.

Serve as a meal in itself, or pair with Instant Pot Broccoli, Baked Zucchini Squash Rounds or Green Beans For Kids as an easy way to get more veggies into your family.

For more tasty pasta dishes that can be made gluten-free, check out our No-Boil Lasagna, Butternut Squash and Sausage Pasta and Vegetarian Baked Spaghetti recipes.

Ingredients

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 pound Jimmy Dean all natural pork sausage watch for added flavors, may not be gluten-free
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 28 ounce can diced tomatoes
• 6 ounce can tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 15 ounce ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 16 ounce shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese, divided
• 16 ounces gluten-free pasta such as ziti, cooked per box instructions we used penne

How To Make

Serving up to 10 people, this gluten free pasta dish is super easy to prep and bake. The flavor is exactly as if you used regular pasta. The day it was served here we were feeding extra teenage boys – and no one could tell the difference.

Start by preheating the oven to 350°F.

In a large skillet, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a skillet over medium-high and heat for 1 minute. Then, add the diced onion and sauté until translucent (about 3-4 minutes). “Translucent” means that you should be able to almost see through the onions. Stir the onions – watching for your onions to turn from solid white in color to translucent while shrinking in size. The onions will also start smelling sweet because sautéing helps onions develop a sweet flavor.

Then add the ground pork and ground beef to the skillet. Using a spatula, carefully break up the meat into large chunks. Let the chunks of meat cook for approximately 1 minute. Then, break the chunks into smaller pieces and let cook for approximately 1 minute. Repeat the process of alternating between breaking up the ground pork and beef and cooking for 1 minute until no longer pink.

To the cooked meat and onions, add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, salt, oregano, garlic powder, thyme, and crushed red pepper. Stir well until combined.

In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup parmesan cheese and the egg. Stir well.

Rinse the cooked pasta with cool water to cool it down. Then, drain and gently stir in the cheese mixture.

Pro Tip: Cook the gluten-free noodles until al dente (per box instructions) as the noodles will continue to cook in the oven.

To the pasta and cheese mixture, gently stir in half of the meat mixture. Add the mixture into the 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Add the rest of the meat mixture to the top.

Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese on top of the pasta and meat mixture in the baking dish.

Bake uncovered at 350°F for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and starting to bubble. Serve hot!

Tips and Tricks

• Choose Quality Ingredients: Start with high-quality ingredients, especially when it comes to cheese and tomatoes. Freshly grated Parmesan and whole milk ricotta will make a noticeable difference in flavor and texture.
• Season Well: Don’t be shy with the seasoning. Taste the meat mixture before adding it to the pasta and adjust the salt, sugar, and seasonings to your liking. It’s easier to adjust the flavor at this stage rather than after baking.
• Fresh Herbs: If possible, use fresh herbs like oregano and thyme instead of dried ones. They provide a fresher and more vibrant flavor.
• Drain Pasta Properly: When draining the pasta, make sure it’s not overcooked. Slightly undercooking it can help prevent it from becoming mushy during baking.
• Cool Pasta Quickly: Rinsing the cooked pasta with cool water is a great way to stop the cooking process and cool it down quickly. This prevents it from continuing to cook and becoming too soft.
• Mix Pasta and Cheese Carefully: When combining the cheese mixture with the pasta, be gentle. Overmixing can make the pasta sticky and clumpy.
• Layering: Layering is important for even distribution of flavors. Make sure to evenly spread the meat mixture on top of the pasta, and then layer the remaining cheese evenly over the meat.
• Cheese Topping: The cheese on top should create a beautiful golden crust. If you like it extra crispy, you can broil the dish for a couple of minutes at the end of baking.
• Covering: If you want to prevent excessive browning of the cheese on top, cover the baking dish with foil for the first half of the baking time and then remove it for the remaining time.
• Rest Before Serving: Allow the dish to rest for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven. This helps the flavors meld together and makes it easier to slice and serve.
• Customize: Feel free to customize the recipe to your preferences. You can add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers to the meat mixture for added flavor and nutrition.
• Make Ahead: This dish can be prepared in advance and refrigerated. Just bake it when you’re ready to serve. It’s a great option for busy weeknight dinners.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Gluten Free Recipes

• Kid-Friendly Meatloaf
• Homemade Low-Sodium Ramen Noodles
• Gluten-Free Chicken Tenders
• Gluten Free Lemon Squares Recipe
• Air Fryer Baked Apples (Gluten-Free)
• Gluten-Free Lunch Ideas
• Gluten-Free Apple Cider Donuts
• Gluten-Free Pumpkin Muffins