My wife really missed stuffed shells when she went gluten free. I can’t blame her. What’s not to like about pasta stuffed with a cheesy filling? Thankfully, gluten free jumbo shells are available. Cheese Shells are great but let’s take them to the next level and make Gluten Free Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells!
Gluten Free Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells
Gluten Free Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells is exactly what it sounds like. The recipe is a mash up of stuffed shells and chicken parm. The cheesy filling has chicken added to the mix. It gets topped with parmesan cheese and browned gluten free breadcrumbs for a little crunch.
The filling for stuffed shells recipes isn’t the problem for those eating gluten free, it’s the shells. Once you get that taken care of this stuffed shell recipe, and most others, are yours for the cooking!
What Brands of Jumbo Pasta Shells Are Gluten Free
Tinkyada is a brand of gluten free jumbo past shells that seems to be the easiest to find in stores. They refer to their shells as “grande” instead of jumbo. They can be found in larger grocery stores as well as online.
Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells Recipe Tips
Under Cook The Gluten Free Shells – Under cooking the shells keeps them from being mushy. Cook the shells 1 or 2 minutes less than the suggested cooking time on the package. They will continue to cook in the oven and hold their shape.
Swap out the Ricotta – Cottage cheese can be used in place of the ricotta for those that don’t like ricotta cheese.
Gluten Free Breadcrumbs – Gluten Free bread crumbs work well as a topping and mixing them with a little melted butter helps them brown and crisp up.
Parmesan Cheese – While freshly shredded parmesan cheese is amazing, it’s not always on hand. Use the parmesan cheese that works best for your taste AND wallet. Freshly shredded, pre-shredded, and the cheese in the familiar green canister will all work.
Don’t give up on stuffed shells just because you’re gluten free. Pick up a box of past at the store and make this comforting food you’ve been missing.
Find more recipes and tips on YouTube and Pinterest.
More Gluten Free Chicken Recipes
Chilis Monterey Chicken Copycat – Juicy grilled chicken smothered in BBQ sauce and melty cheese gets topped with bacon and green onions. Monterey Chicken! It’s a Chili’s copycat recipe that’s no longer on their menu but it’s super tasty and you can recreate it at home.
Gluten Free Sweet and Sour Chicken – A Gluten Free Asian inspired recipe is easy and baked in the oven instead of deep fried. This healthier at home version is sure to be a favorite.
Easy Chicken Soup – No noodles needed with this easy recipe! Make a comforting and healthy chicken soup filled with chicken, veggies and warm broth.
Chicken Fajita Nachos – A gluten free dinner that everyone will be excited about. Juicy chicken, peppers, and onions with favorite taco toppings.
Gluten Free Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells
Ingredients
- 1 25 oz. Jar Pasta Sauce, Use Your Favorite
- 1 15 oz. Container Ricotta Cheese
- 2½ Cups Cooked Chicken, Shredded or Finley Chopped
- 2 Cups Fresh Baby Spinach, Torn
- 2 Cups Shredded Mozzarella or Italian Blend Cheese, Divided
- 1 Large Egg, Beaten
- 2 Tbs. Chopped Fresh Basil
- ½ tsp. Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp. Salt
- ½ tsp. Ground Black Pepper
- 1 8 oz. Package Gluten Free Jumbo Pasta Shells, Cooked 1 or 2 minutes less than package directions
- ½ Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 Tbs. Unsalted Butter, Melted
- ½ Cup Gluten Free Bread Crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350˚.
- Prepare gluten free pasta shells according to the package directions but cook 1 or 2 minutes less than the suggested cooking time.
- Spray a 13×9 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Spread 1-1½ cups pasta sauce in the bottom of the casserole dish.
- In a large bowl, mix the ricotta, chicken, spinach, 1½ cups mozzarella, egg, basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until combined.
- Fill each pasta shell with the mixture and place In the pan.
- Pour the remaining sauce over the shells.
- Cover pan with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
- In a small bowl, melt 1 Tablespoon butter and combine with the breadcrumbs.
- Uncover and sprinkle with Parmesan, bread crumbs, and remaining ½ cup mozzarella onto the shells.
- Bake or broil until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes more.
- Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
- Under Cook The Gluten Free Shells – Under cooking the shells keeps them from being mushy. Cook the shells 1 or 2 minutes less than the suggested cooking time on the package. They will continue to cook in the oven and hold their shape.
- Swap out the Ricotta – Cottage cheese can be used in place of the ricotta for those that don’t like ricotta cheese.
- Gluten Free Breadcrumbs – Gluten Free bread crumbs work well as a topping and mixing them with a little melted butter helps them brown and crisp up.
- Parmesan Cheese – While freshly shredded parmesan cheese is amazing, it’s not always on hand. Use the parmesan cheese that works best for your taste AND wallet. Freshly shredded, pre-shredded, and the cheese in the familiar green canister will all work.
