Gluten Free Lasagna – Iowa Girl Eats

The first time I ate gluten free lasagna after being diagnosed with Celiac Disease, I knew that everything was going to be OK. It’d been years since my last hot and cheesy scoop, and I felt like someone who’d just been handed a jug of water after wandering through the desert for days. I could practically feel the powerful combination of cheese, meat, noodles, and sauce coursing through my veins.

Who me? Dramatic?!

Seriously though, if living gluten free and being able to eat lasagna can coincide — is there much to complain about in life? Especially when it’s made from a handful of everyday ingredients and tastes just like the real thing? This recipe is SUCH a treat!

How to Make Lasagna Gluten Free

I’m going to let you in on the #1 secret for making lasagna gluten free: use gluten free lasagna noodles. That’s the only swap I made in my family’s go-to lasagna recipe to make this classic comfort food gluten free.

This may seem like a “duh” statement, but gluten free lasagna noodles didn’t start showing up in my local grocery stores until just a few years ago. Luckily gluten-free pasta is now readily available, plus there’s several varieties of GF lasagna noodles to choose from.

That said…

The Best Gluten Free Lasagna Noodles

I’ll start with my favorite gluten-free lasagna noodle on the market, which I use and show in this recipe, plus provide a few other options for making gluten free lasagna:

1. Brown Rice Lasagna Noodles: I like Jovial Gluten Free Brown Rice Lasagna Noodles. They’re hearty, have a nice chew, and hold up well to being parboiled then baked.
2. No-Boil/Oven-Ready Noodles: For that first gluten free lasagna I made and referenced above, I used Barilla Gluten Free Oven Ready Lasagna Noodles. It was a fantastic lasagna. The second time I used them, my lasagna came out half cooked —  some of the noodles were hard, while others were soft. This was also the case with the third (and last) time I used them. Personally, I feel no boil lasagna noodles yield inconsistent results.
3. Fresh Lasagna Sheets: The gluten free lasagna I’ve made with Capello’s Gluten Free Lasagna Sheets was, in a word, divine. But, fresh lasagna products are expensive and not something I’d be able to choose for weekly lasagna night.

I recommend using Jovial’s Brown Rice Gluten Free Lasagna Noodles in my gluten-free lasagna recipe for the most consistent results, and best texture. You will parboil them first (meaning, boil them until they’re partially cooked) before layering into the lasagna.

Ingredients Needed

For the Meat Sauce Layer:

• Ground beef: Lean ground beef is recommended, but you can use whatever you have on hand.
• Onion or shallot + garlic: For lots of cozy, savory flavor.
• Gluten free marinara sauce: While lasagna is an inherently easy recipe, there’s no denying it’s a labor of love. That said, we’re saving a little time by using jarred marinara or spaghetti sauce vs making homemade with tomato sauce, italian seasoning, tomato paste, etc. Just ensure that it’s gluten free. I love Gino’s (local brand), Bove’s, and Rao’s for slow-cooked flavor without the extra effort.

For the Ricotta Cheese Layer:

• Ricotta cheese: I prefer full fat ricotta for a rich, smooth, and creamy cheese layer.
• Freshly grated parmesan cheese: I eliminated eggs in this recipe by upping the amount of grated parmesan to keep the cheese layer spreadable yet firm.
• Seasonings and herbs: Dried parsley flakes, pepper, and salt flavor the cheese layer.

Remaining Ingredients:

• Gluten free lasagna noodles: as discussed above!
• Shredded mozzarella cheese: Can’t have lasagna without it.

How to Make Gluten Free Lasagna Overview

I’ll share step by step instructions below on how to make my easy gluten-free lasagna, but here’s a quick overview:

1. Step 1: Prepare the gluten free noodles by parboiling, draining, then rinsing them under cold water. Layer the noodles between pieces of saran wrap on a baking sheet then set aside.
2. Step 2: Make the meat sauce mixture by browning ground beef then mixing it with jarred marinara or spaghetti sauce.
3. Step 3: Stir together the ricotta + parmesan cheese mixture then scoop into a gallon-size Ziplock bag to help layer it onto the noodles.
4. Step 4: Layer the ingredients then cover with foil and bake. Remove the foil then continue to bake until browned and bubbly.

Gluten Free Lasagna Variations

Lasagna is one of those dishes that I STRONGLY ADVISE you do not overthink. Picture your Grandma making this recipe in her kitchen. Would she add a little bit of this, or a little bit of that if she felt like it? Absolutely she would! And you should too.

Aside from the gluten free noodles, please feel free to play around with the rest of this recipe to make it your own. Here are some ideas:

• Use half ground beef and half Italian sausage to dial up the flavor.
• Add a layer of sauteed vegetables. A combination of mushrooms, spinach, and chopped zucchini sauteed with lots of fresh garlic sounds divine!
• For a lower-fat lasagna, use part-skim ricotta, and/or mozzarella cheese made with 2% milk. You can also use ground turkey instead of ground beef.
• Not a fan of ricotta? Use the same amount of cottage cheese instead. Drain very well first in a fine mesh sieve.

Whether this is your first or 50th time making gluten free lasagna, I’m confident it will be your best one yet!

How to Make Gluten Free Lasagna

Start by sourcing both gluten free lasagna noodles, and gluten free jarred marinara or spaghetti sauce for the meat sauce.

Again, for lasagna noodles, I use Jovial Brown Rice Gluten Free Lasagna Noodles. For the jarred sauce, we love Gino’s (the spaghetti sauce is less spicy than the marinara — also, this is a local product), Bove’s, and Rao’s.

Step 1: Prepare the Noodles

Follow the directions on the box of lasagna noodles for parboiling them. Jovial brand instructs you to parboil for 4 minutes before draining. That said, the lasagna recipe they provide on their box of noodles differs slightly from mine, so I like to parboil them for 5 minutes.

Drain the lasagna noodles, rinse under cold running water until cool, then line them in a single layer on a baking sheet covered with saran warp. Add a piece of saran wrap between layers of noodles so they don’t stick together. Cover the top with saran wrap then set aside.

Step 2: Make the Meat Sauce

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add ground beef, chopped onion or shallot, pressed or minced fresh cloves garlic, salt, and pepper, then brown, breaking the meat up as it cooks. Turn off the heat then drain the beef mixture and return it to the skillet.

Add jarred, gluten free marinara or spaghetti sauce to the skillet then stir to combine and set aside to cool slightly.

Step 3: Make the Ricotta Cheese Mixture

To a medium-sized mixing bowl, add ricotta cheese, freshly grated parmesan cheese, dried parsley, salt, and pepper, then mix to combine. I like Belgioso brand ricotta cheese.

Scoop the mixture into a gallon-size Ziplock bag then squeeze the air out, seal, and snip off one of the corners. This will help you pipe the mixture onto the lasagna noodles before spreading into an even layer.

Step 4: Layer the Lasagna

Assembly time! Spray a 9×13″ baking dish with cooking spray then…

How to Layer Gluten Free Lasagna

1. Spread 3/4 cup meat sauce into the bottom of the baking pan. Don’t worry if it doesn’t fully cover the bottom — we just need a thin layer to prevent the noodles from sticking/burning.
2. Layer 3 noodles width-wise across the bottom. I use three noodles for the first layer, and 3 noodles + 1/2 of another noodle sliced in half widthwise for the 2nd and 3rd layers.
3. Spread 1/3 of the ricotta mixture across the noodles. Pipe the mixture onto the center of each noodle then use the back of a spoon or an offset spatula to spread into a thin, even layer.
4. Spoon 1/3 of the remaining meat sauce mixture over the top. Spread into an even layer.
5. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top. 
6. Repeat the layers — noodles, ricotta cheese mixture, meat sauce, shredded cheese — two more times for a total of three layers.

Boom!

Step 5: Bake

Cover the baking dish with a piece of nonstick sprayed foil then bake the lasagna for 20 minutes at 375 degrees. Remove the foil then continue to bake for another 20-25 minutes, or until the top is deep golden brown, and the sauce is bubbly.

Like this. (DROOL)

Let the gluten free lasagna rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing into squares with a sharp knife, and scooping onto plates.

This is such a fantastic meal to serve to your family, but we often make lasagna for friends and family who are in a time of need — whether they just had a new baby, have family concerns, or just moved into a new house — the list goes on and on. This dish is such a great way to communicate that you care, and is a truly family favorite.

Gluten Free Lasagna FAQ:

How Do I Store and Reheat Leftovers?

Let the leftover lasagna cool then cover and place the entire baking dish in the refrigerator (alternatively you can slice the cooled lasagna into squares then place in an individual-sized, airtight container). Reheat individual-sized portions in the microwave covered with microwave-safe bowl or dish until heated through.

Can I Make this in Advance?

As far as individual components, you can make the meat sauce and ricotta cheese mixture up to several days in advance. Save parboiling the noodles for the day you bake it. Alternatively, you can completely assemble the gluten free lasagne up to 24 hours ahead of baking. Take the chill off the baking dish by letting it sit on the counter for 30 minutes before baking, and increase baking time covered with foil by 10 minutes.

Can I Freeze Gluten Free Lasagna?

There are 3 types of dishes I generally advise you do not freeze, as they don’t reheat well after thawing: cheese-based soups, rice-based dishes, and gluten free pasta dishes. That said, you can freeze individual portions of baked gluten free lasagna without affecting the texture TOO much.

Let the lasagna cool completely then slice into individual-size portions and place in freezer-safe containers. Refrigerate until fully chilled then freeze. Thaw for 24 hours in the fridge then microwave to reheat.

More Cozy Gluten Free Casseroles

Photos by Ashley McLaughlin