Staub Archives - MI Gluten Free Gal

Gluten Free No Boil Baked Ziti

Margaret Clegg — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 02:41:47 +0000

I love gluten free pasta. However, one thing that I don’t love is it’s fragility. Sometimes it tends to fall apart when you boil it. Therefore, I love recipes, like this Gluten Free No Boil Baked Ziti, that save that step! That’s right, no boiling the pasta first. Just put it in raw. Trust me.

My Go To Cookware For One Pot Meals

I now always make this Gluten Free No Boil Baked Ziti in my favorite pot. The Staub 4 qt essential pot is the workhorse of my kitchen. They don’t seem to make it anymore, so I recommend their 4.5 QT Perfect Pan instead, or their 4 QT Brasier.

I use it make everything from Congee breakfast porridge to Arroz Con Pollo to Beef Stew. My dad and his wife bought this for me for my birthday years ago, and it may just be my favorite gift EVER. I have to restrain myself from buying their entire product line.

What Gluten Free Pasta Should I Use For This Ziti?

There are so many gluten free pastas on the market. Delallo yields a great dish, as does Barilla. You can use whatever you please. As I update the pictures, I chose to use Jovial gluten free penne.

They sent me a care package of foods to try, and had this left in my pantry. Jovial is the only brand I know that makes a gluten free bow tie pasta, as well as an amazing tagliatelle.

Perfect Dish For After a Surgery or a New Baby

I adapted this Gluten Free No Boil Baked Ziti recipe slightly from the Ragu website. The main changes are substituting gluten free pasta and adding vegetables.

I often make this dish to take to others who are sick, grieving, or new moms who can use a hand in the kitchen. Therefore, I try to sneak in added nutrition whenever I can. The original recipe had no added onions, peppers or garlic. Those are like the Holy Grail of cooking! I also add wilted spinach.

Can I Scale This Dish To Feed More People?

This Gluten Free No Boil Baked Ziti recipe scales up well, too. My step mom and I made multiple batches of this for my father’s 60th birthday party. He also had Celiac Disease, and everything at the party was gluten free. All who came loved the ziti, and her daughters were super excited to take home leftovers.

I’ve made this for so men at a local homeless shelter, and they loved every bite. People at my church ask for the recipe after every potluck. Make this Gluten Free No Boil Baked Ziti for your friends, and become a culinary super hero!

Is This Dish Vegetarian? Can I Make This Without Dairy?

As written this, Gluten Free Baked Ziti contains NO meat. However, I have notes in the recipe for those who would like to add additional protein. Even though this recipe calls for ricotta, I’ve often substituted cottage cheese in this dish and it tastes just as good.

I have not made a version of this gluten free baked ziti without dairy. Looking at many Dairy Free Ziti recipes, some use a cashew based ricotta cheese, like this Dairy Free Baked Ziti from Meaningful Eats. (It is also gluten free.)

What Should I Serve with Gluten Free Baked Ziti?

This gluten free baked ziti is like a deconstructed Gluten Free Lasagna. This Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad would be a beautiful and delicious side salad to serve. Try my Gluten Free Crescent Rolls if you’re looking for a bread to serve with it. And one can never go wrong with my mother in law’s Gluten Free Wacky Cake for dessert.

More Gluten Free Pasta Recipes

Looking for more pasta recipes? I also created a Gluten Free Macaroni Salad, a Roasted Vegetable Pasta Salad, and a Gluten Free Butternut Squash Lasagna for Two. Looking for a lower carb pasta dish? Try my Gluten Free Alfredo Spaghetti Squash recipe.

I love to make this simple Easy Spinach Ricotta pasta from Budget Bytes, and simply substitute gluten free pasta. If you’re craving full lasagna, I love this Lasagna for Two from Chef Julie, again made with either Gluten Lasagna Noodles from Barilla or Taste Republic. Or for a full size dish, try this Gluten free Vegetarian Lasagna from Wheat by the Wayside.

Gluten Free No Boil Baked Ziti

Ingredients

24 oz Spaghetti Sauce (I used Prego)
1 1/2 cups water
15 oz Ricotta Cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese about 8 oz., separated
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
8 ounces uncooked gluten-free penne
1 small onion chopped (optional)
1 small green pepper chopped (optional)
4 oz mushrooms chopped

Note!

The original recipe is meatless. If you want to use ground beef or sausage use 1 1/2 pounds ground meat and reduce the cottage cheese to one cup, and the parmesan to 2 tbsp. Increase the pasta to 12 oz, and the water to 2 cups. Use 1 cup of mozzarella instead of 2.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°.
If I'm using meat, I brown the ground beef in the pot first. While that is cooking, I chop onions, peppers, mushrooms and/ or any other vegetables I feel like adding.
When the beef is fully browned, I remove it from the pan, leaving behind the fat. I then saute the vegetables in the meat fat and juices, until onions are soft and transparent. I'm guessing 5 minutes.
When all of the vegetables are cooked, I return the meat to the pan and add the dry pasta. Stir the pasta to evenly coat it in any remaining oil in the pan.
Next, add the jar of spaghetti sauce. Because I'm incredibly frugal, I then add one cup of water to the empty jar to get all the last bits of tomato-y goodness out of of it. Waste not, want not, right? Add the rest of the water and stir together.
Add the cottage (or ricotta) cheese and Parmesan cheese and stir together. Place the lid on the pot and put the whole gluten free no boil baked ziti in the oven. If you don't own a cast-iron pot/ dutch oven, you can use a 9×13 dish and cover it with foil
Bake for 55 minutes. Remove the gluten free no boil baked ziti from the oven and top with mozzarella cheese. Bake, uncovered, for an additional 5 minutes. Remove from oven and let set for 10 minutes before serving.

What’s your favorite one-pot gluten free dish? Share a comment (and a recipe link if you have it) below!

**This post is NOT sponsored by Staub or Jovial, although Jovial did send me free product to try. This post does however include Amazon Affiliate Links. However, this does not influence the cost of your purchases. Thank you for helping to support this website!**

Originally published February 2015

The post Gluten Free No Boil Baked Ziti appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

Favorite Kitchen Appliances & Accessories

Margaret Clegg — Sun, 01 Dec 2019 11:00:33 +0000

I spend lots of time in my kitchen. Living with a dietary restriction, you quickly learn how to adapt recipes to make life easier, and more delicious! Many of these kitchen appliances have helped me greatly. Others are on my own “wish list,” and I think would help you as well!

Electric Kitchen Appliances

Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 Quart

I purchased this Instant Pot in 2019, and I use it weekly. I love the ability to cook meat from frozen, make porridge overnight, and other amazing things.

KitchenAid Artisan 5 Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer

It’s true. One doesn’t NEED a KitchenAid stand mixer. However, they make cooking dramatically easier. I seriously don’t know how I lived without one for so long.

Gourmia 7 Quart Air Fryer

My husband and I bought a Gourmia 7 qt air fryer from Costco and we LOVE it. I’ve used it to cook nuggets and fries, but also roast whole chickens.

Ninja SP101 Digital Air Fry Countertop Oven

From Amazon- "8-IN-1 VERSATILITY: The ultimate meal-making machine with 8-in-1 functionality: Air Fry, Air Roast, Air Broil, Bake, Bagel, Toast, Dehydrate, and Keep Warm all in one powerful, 1800-watt appliance. The height of the interior of this machine is approximately 3".

Kitchen Appliances – Waffle Makers

Waffle Makers

DASH Mini Maker for Individual Waffles, 4 Inch, Red

I can’t begin to tell you how much I LOVE this little waffle maker. Make homemade “eggo” waffles for a fraction of the prize of frozen. P.S. Use it to waffle brownie batter and thank me later. (And now I want their Mini Pizzelle Maker!)

Cuisinart WMR-CAP2 Round Classic Waffle Make

Looking to make larger waffles? This Cuisinart model makes large waffles the size of your plate. I also use this waffle maker to cook breaded chicken!

Presto 03510 Ceramic FlipSide Belgian Waffle Maker,Black

This was actually the first waffle maker I ever owned. My grandmother gifted it to us years ago, and we still use it. I love to use it to make easy gluten free cornbread!

CucinaPro Piccolo Pizzelle Baker

Use this pizzelle maker to make pizzelle, cannolis, and your own homemade ice cream cones. Visit GF Jules for her Gluten Free Pizzelle recipe for more ideas!

Favorite Kitchen Cookware

Favorite Cookware

STAUB Braiser with Glass Lid, 3.5-Qt, Cherry

I received a 4 qt Staub Universal Pot years ago as a birthday gift. Their newer 3.5 qt Brasier is a great option, as well. My Staub has quickly become a workhorse in our kitchen. Can be used on the stovetop, in the oven, and is striking as a serving dish.

Lodge 12 inch Cast Iron Skillet

For years we only owned the large skillet. This updated model has a an additional handle, which I wish ours had. Recently, we were gifted a small one and I use it daily. I also recently bought their red silicone handle separately, and it’s been a game changer.

Cuisinart 1-Quart Saucepan

Living in a household of two, I use this daily. I cook small batches of rice, prepare Full Flavor Foods gravies and cheese sauce mixes, or boil 2 or 3 eggs.

Wilton Non-Stick 6-Cavity Donut Baking Pans, 2-Count

I “donut” know anyone that doesn’t like a good doughnut. I’ve owned these Wilton donut pans for years and can’t recommend them enough. Perfect for this basic gluten free donut recipe.

Kitchen Appliances – Baking Gadgets

Baking Gadgets

Wilton Cookie Cutters Set, 101-Piece

I bought this cookie cutter set when my niece and nephew were 4 years old. They’re now 22! Durable and color organized by season, this cookie cutter set will have you baking up a storm.

Totally Bamboo Rolling Pin, 20.5-Inch

I bought this a few years ago and I LOVE it. Despite its length, it is lightweight and easy to use.

OXO Good Grips 11-Pound Stainless Steel Food Scale with Pull-Out Display

If you hate doing dishes, you need a kitchen scale. (Imagine all the measuring cups you won’t have to wash!) This allows precise measurements for perfect baked goods.

Talisman Designs Baking Pie Crust Shield Protector

I never successfully keep my pie crusts from over cooking. We all need to add this adjustable pie shield to our wish list. I know I am!

Small But Mighty Kitchen Accessories

Small But Mighty Kitchen Gadgets

Dreamfarm Mini Supoon

I’m sure you’re thinking, “it’s just a spoon.” But this spatula / spoon combo cleans the remnants in your peanut butter jar with ease. Waste not, want not. The larger Supoon also has tsp and tbsp markings.

Planit Toast A Bags

These bags are perfect for “gluten free on the go.” It prevents cross contact from crumbs in toasters. Toast your bread and bagels, and even use them to reheat pizza slices!

HIC Kitchen Snap Ball Tea Infuser

Confession. I don’t use this for tea. I use it dust muffin pans with flour, or sift powdered sugar on top of desserts. Of course, you can also use it to make tea. I like organic Fraser Teas!

Bodum Chambord French Press 1 Liter, 34 Ounce,

As we look towards good ecology practices, this coffee pot makes coffee without filters. This La Colombe video also shows how to use the plunger as a milk frother. My husband takes this on all our trips!

Hopefully this give you some tips for your own kitchen, or others on your shopping list. If you’re looking for what to cook, check out my list of my favorite gluten free cookbooks, many which accommodate additional food allergens.

**All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not paid to mention these brands. However, this post does contain affiliate links. Purchases made through those links help support this blog with no extra expense to you. For more of my favorite products, visit my Amazon Storefront. Thank you for your continued support!**

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Gluten Free Au Gratin Potatoes

Margaret Clegg — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 10:00:19 +0000

For years I thought scalloped or au gratin potatoes were complicated. However, after attempting a few different methods, I discovered the best method is rather simple. With layers of cream and cheese, and a crunchy topping, this dish rivals any other. This recipe for Gluten Free Au Gratin Potatoes is sponsored by Schar.

Scalloped Potatoes Vs Au Gratin Potatoes

Crunchy bits and cheese. Technically, these are the two major differences between scalloped potatoes and au gratin potatoes. By definition, scalloped potatoes contain neither. However, people often interchange the two. For example, my friend Amanda at Eat At Our Table calls her family’s version Gluten Free Scalloped Potatoes and Ham, even though it contains cheese and crackers. As long as it tastes great, who cares what it’s called!

Regardless of what you call this dish, choose the correct bakeware. I chose to use my ceramic Staub 2 qt gratin dish. Ceramic bakeware holds heat well, and can be placed under the broiler, unlike glass bakeware. It can go from oven to table, then from fridge to microwave with no issues. Can’t do that with a metal pan!

What Kind of Potatoes Should I Use?

Let’s get cooking. First things, first, my husband was right. In selecting potatoes for this dish, I first used russet potatoes. Which work fine. However, he recommended white potatoes. Lemme say after multiple attempts, his suggestion of white potatoes worked better. How he knows all this stuff, I don’t know. He needs to go on Jeopardy.

Secondly, after three attempts at these gluten free au gratin potatoes, I decided my idea of soaking the potatoes was not ideal. This washes off the additional starch in the potato, which we want! It is key to making a richer sauce as the potatoes cook. Finally, while some suggest using a food processor or mandalin, I slice my potatoes by hand. Just try to keep them as uniform and thin as possible.

Ratio of Cream to Cheese to Potatoes

The first time I attempted these gluten free au gratin potatoes, I tried to copy the sauce from Schar’s macaroni and cheese recipe. They start a roux with their crushed Table Crackers. Yeah, that doesn’t work here. Many recipes suggest using milk and flour. However, I wanted to keep this as simple as possible. Therefore, I went with the heavy cream + cheese method.

I consulted many cream based recipes. After looking at Once Upon a Chef’s recipe for Potatoes Au Gratin, I settled on a simple ratio. For every 8 oz of potato, I use 1/2 cup of cream and 1/4 cup of cheese. Extrapolate that to 2 lbs of potatoes, and you get 2 cups of cream and a cup of cheese. (If you’re not a fan of dairy, this recipe isn’t for you.)

Gluten Free Saltine Crackers

As mentioned previously, the difference between gluten free scalloped potatoes and gluten free au gratin potatoes is the presence of cheese or a crunchy topping. Since I’m an over achiever, I did both! In groups, I often see people asking about a good replacement for saltine crackers. Without fail, I always mention Schar Table Crackers.

Therefore, I chose to highlight them in this dish. I mean, these crackers taste amazing on their own. It’s a good thing they come in individual packs of 6 crackers. Otherwise, I might eat the whole package in one setting! However, they work great in casseroles and anything needing a bit of crunch.

What To Serve with Gluten Free Au Gratin Potatoes

I chose to make this dish after a handful of people on my Facebook page said Easter isn’t Easter without potatoes. But what to serve with it? We don’t eat pork, so ham was right out. Therefore, I made Iowa Girl Eats’ Perfect Roast Chicken. Being spring, I lean towards making Brussels sprouts, even though they’re not in the picture.

Other people mentioned rolls, therefore I made gluten free crescent rolls. Many mentioned deviled eggs, but my husband won’t touch those with a ten foot pole. Since I don’t want to eat them all myself, I passed. For dessert, I remade my mother in law’s Easter cake, filled with homemade lemon curd. You should too.

Live Simply – Delegate

Can I be honest? I made the rolls, chicken, lemon curd, frosted the cake, and potatoes all in one day. AND I HURT. My feet hurt. My back hurt. I don’t know how people do all this in one day! For certain, holiday meals are not for the faint of heart. Pace yourself friends – this is a marathon, not a sprint.

Definitely make a written plan, and time your dishes accordingly. Make what you can the day ahead. Think through what oven space you have to work with. Suggest others help by bringing dishes to round things out. I think Aunt Esther can safely bring Jello. Uncle Bob can bring the olives and pickles. YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO IT ALL!

Need Dairy Free, Gluten Free Au Gratin Potatoes?

As mentioned, my recipe contains lots of milk and cheese. If you need a dairy free version, I recommend The Pretty Bee’s version of Gluten Free Scalloped Potatoes. Looking for that cheesy flavor? Try this Creamy Vegan Potato Au Gratin from Allergylicious.

Recipe

Gluten Free Au Gratin Potatoes

Equipment

Ingredients

For the base

2 lbs white potatoes 8 medium
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Salt & pepper to taste

For the topping

3 tbsp butter melted
9 Schar table crackers crushed
3/4 c shredded Gouda or Swiss cheese

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Wash and peel potatoes, and slice as thin as possible. Cut to uniform width, using a mandolin if necessary.
Place a layer of potatoes on the bottom of a 2 quart casserole dish. (You will do 4 layers, so use a quarter of what you have.) Sprinkle the top of the potatoes with salt and pepper (You choose how much. I’d say no more than a 1/4 tsp of salt and an 1/8 tsp of pepper per layer. I did not measure it when i made them.)
Then top the potatoes with 1/2 cup of cream and 1/4 cup of shredded cheese. I used Cheddar, but you can use something else if you wish.
Repeat for three more layers until all ingredients are used up.
Cover casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
While potatoes are baking, crush 9 Schar table crackers, and mix with the 3 tbsp melted butter and 3/4 c shredded Gouda cheese. (If you’re not a big fan of a crunchy topping, you can reduce it to 6 crackers (crushed), 2 tbsp melted butter, and 1/2 cup of shredded cheese.)
After the first 30 minutes of baking, remove casserole from oven, and remove foil. Sprinkle coating on top and return to oven. Bake for another 30-45 minutes, until potatoes are cooked to desired tenderness. (I cooked mine for 30 minutes more, but you might like yours more tender than I do.)
Serve hot. I served 6 with this 2 quart casserole dish.

**Schar sponsored this post by compensating me for my time and talents. In addition, Staub sent me the gratin dish featured in this recipe, free of charge. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own. This post also contains affiliate links. Purchases made through those links help support this blog with no extra expense to you. Thank you for your continued support!**

Originally Published April 2019

The post Gluten Free Au Gratin Potatoes appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

Gluten Free Arroz Con Pollo, Perfected

Margaret Clegg — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 11:00:17 +0000

Whether it’s Cinco De Mayo, Taco Tuesday, or simply a day you feel “Olé,” this gluten free Arroz Con Pollo is the perfect dish for your family table. Thank you to Delta Blues Rice for sponsoring this post and making wonderful rice products!

Cinco De Mayo and Sofrito

The end of April approaches, and Americans prepare for one of their favorite holidays. No, not Christmas or Easter, but Cinco de Mayo. It gives us all added permission to indulge in tacos, enchiladas and any other dish that adds a touch of cumin and cilantro.

While American dishes often being with a mix of onion, carrots and celery, Latin American dishes being with “sofrito.” A good sofrito contains three major ingredients- tomato, peppers and onions. And a good glug of olive oil to cook it all in. Therefore, this gluten free Arroz Con Pollo starts with exactly that.

Cinco De Mayo is NOT Mexican Independence Day

When I first thought about what I wanted to make for Cinco De Mayo this year, I found myself a bit stumped. Uninspired. After all, what DO Mexicans consider a traditional meal from their homeland? Americans believe a variety of things about Cinco De Mayo folklore, some of which is untrue.

For example, Cinco De Mayo is NOT Mexican Independence Day. That celebration falls on September 16th, when Mexico sought independence from Spain. No, Cinco De Mayo commemorates the miraculous victory Mexico won over the French Army. To honor both armies, I settled on this gluten free Arroz con Pollo.

One Pot Meal

Know what I love most about this gluten free Arroz con Pollo? (Other than the fact that it is 100% DELICIOUS?) You cook the whole thing in ONE POT. I love one pot meals. Now, that’s not to say you won’t dirty other dishes. Let’s not be silly.

However, you can be guaranteed that you won’t leave a stack of pots and pans, reaching to the ceiling, when you are finished. Gracias a Dios! My preferred pot for meals such as this remains to be my Staub Cast Iron 4 qt Dutch Oven. (affiliate link) This pot can cook just about anything and everything. Roast chicken, curries, baked ziti, this pan accomplishes it ALL.

NO CILANTRO NEEDED!

Now, I titled this “Gluten Free Arroz Con Pollo, Perfected.” Why? Because it leaves out the hot spices and cilantro, which tastes like soap. But if you like those things, feel free to add them. However, without polarizing ingredients, I highly believe young and old alike will agree on loving this dish.

My husband likes cilantro and spicy food, and he LOVED this even without those ingredients. Also, this dish could easily be made vegetarian, simply by leaving out the chicken. The sofrito provides a depth of flavoring that will create the best “Mexican rice” you’ve ever eaten, hands down.

Arroz Con Pollo Side Dishes

While this gluten free Arroz con Pollo shines on its own, life can always use a little guac, am i right? And after eating elote (street corn) at Mama Lu’s in Traverse City, I knew I wanted to serve them with this dish. To start, boil your corn and smear it with a bit of sour cream or Greek yogurt. Next, sprinkle it with a little bit of pepper, some garlic powder, and some Parmesan. (If you can find it, use cotija cheese, which is the Mexican equivalent of Parmesan.)

Let’s talk libations. Now if we’re honest, people love Cinco De Mayo for the plethora of Latin American inspired drinks. If you are looking to keep this meal family friendly, I recently discovered Welch’s Sangria juice blend in a bottle. To fancy it up, I simply added cut up oranges and apples. If serving this gluten free Arroz Con Pollo solely in an adult crowd, add a touch of vodka or rum and voila! Missing margaritas? Boulder Locavore has 12 Margarita Recipes you need to make now!

Cinco De Mayo Desserts

In addition, no meal is complete without dessert, am I right? May I suggest this Tres Leche Rice Pudding, or my dairy-free Mexican Unfried Ice Cream? Both are stellar! Fancy yourself craving something sweet with frosting? This Gluten Free Tres Leche Cake from Sisters Sans Gluten will satisfy your sweet tooth.

One thing is for certain. No dietary restrictions should keep us from celebrating with friends, any day of the year. Some days we may feel like our Celiac Disease may have us out numbered. However, remember the Pueblo and remember that we too are more than conquerors!

Gluten Free Arroz Con Pollo

Equipment

Ingredients

For the sofrito

1 tbsp oil
3 tomatoes
1 large onion
1 green pepper
1 red pepper
1 tsp minced garlic 2 cloves
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp salt

For the Arroz Con Pollo

1 tsp oil
2 lbs boneless skinless chicken THIGHS
1 1/2 c long grain white rice
4 cups chicken broth

Instructions

Preheat a 4 qt. dutch oven with one tbsp olive (or preferred) oil.
Meanwhile, roughly chop vegetables and place in a standard size food processor. Pulse until vegetables are chopped uniformly.
Add sofrito mixture and salt to a heated dutch oven and cook for 25-30 minutes.
Remove sofrito to a bowl. Add paprika, cumin and additional salt to the bowl of sofrito.
Wipe out dutch oven, and add 1 tsp of oil. Salt chicken thighs and cook on med-high for 4 minutes per side, until golden. (I cooked 8, which crowded the pan, and prevented them from all getting browned nicely. 6 thighs will likely fit better. Remove browned chicken to a plate.
Add Delta Blues Long Grain White Rice to the pot, absorbing the oil from the cooked chicken. Allow to saute 3 minutes. Add sofrito back to dutch oven. Then add chicken broth. Bring to a boil. (*Note- For a deeper chicken flavor, add 1-2 HerbOx Bouillon Cubes)
Add chicken back to pot, cover and cook for 25 minutes.
Remove from heat and allow to rest 5-10 minutes for rice to absorb the remainder of the water.
Serve, garnished with sprigs of cilantro, if desired.

**Delta Blues Rice sponsored this recipe. This post does contain affiliate links. Purchases made through those links help support this blog with no extra expense to you. Thank you for your continued support!**

The post Gluten Free Arroz Con Pollo, Perfected appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

Gluten Free Special K Loaf

Margaret Clegg — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 05:40:00 +0000

Have you heard of Special K Loaf? Some call is Cottage Cheese Roast. It may sound odd, but it tastes great! Today, I’m showing you how I swapped ingredients to create this meat free, gluten free Special K loaf!

Is Special K Cereal Gluten Free? Are There Alternatives?

I first wrote up this recipe for Gluten Free Special K Loaf in 2015. At that time, Kellogg released a gluten free version of their Special K cereal. However, they discontinued it. It left me looking for a similar tasting flake cereal. Here are some gluten free alternatives to Special K Cereal.

Nature’s Path Gluten Free Corn Flakes
Meijer’s True Goodness Gluten Free Organic Bran Flakes

Special K Cereal and the Kellogg Company

Kellogg, located in Battle Creek, Michigan, created Special K to be a high protein cereal. A one ounce serving contains about 112.5 calories, 5.25 grams of protein and less than a gram of fiber.

Meijer’s True Goodness Organic Bran Flakes compares at 110 calories, 2 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber per one ounce serving. For those missing Raisin Bran, this cereal is a fantastic substitute. Just add raisins!

Seventh Day Adventist Connection

Will Keith Kellogg started Kellogg cereal with his brother. They invented the first ever flaked cereal. As Seventh-Day Adventists, they believed in eating a vegetarian diet. His brother John Harvey, a certified physician, believed most diseases flourished due to poor intestinal health. For those with Celiac Disease, we understand how true that is!

My husband’s family ate Special K Loaf when he was a child. His mother received the recipe from her boss, who was a Seventh Day Adventist. When my husband told me about this dish after we married, I thought it sounded incredibly odd. However, after tasting it, I really enjoyed it!

View Fisher Nuts’ FAQ’section for their gluten free testing procedures.

Loaf or Casserole?

While this recipe is called Gluten Free Special K Loaf, that’s a bit of a misnomer. It’s really more of a casserole. Most recipes direct you to bake in a 9 x 13 dish. However, I chose to bake mine in my 10.5 x 7.5 rectangular Staub gratin dish. I feel this is the perfect size! (If it looks familiar, I also used it to make my Gluten Free Au Gratin Potatoes.)

Because it contains six cups of cereal, it contains quite a bit of carbohydrates. Therefore I recommend broccoli or maybe a salad as a side dish. These Roasted Rainbow Carrots from A Dash of Megnut would add a beautiful touch, as well!

Vegetarian Alternative to Meatloaf

This Gluten Free Special K Loaf contains ingredients such as cottage cheese, numerous eggs, and nut meal. Therefore, it’s quite high in protein. While it doesn’t taste exactly like meatloaf, I find it to be very similar in taste and texture. My husband even likes to put ketchup on his!

Can I Make Special K Loaf Egg Free / Dairy Free?

This recipe contains a LOT of cottage cheese and quite a few eggs. I can’t recommend simply substituting them. Baking You Happier has a recipe for Vegan Special K Loaf. However it contains flour and oats. You can sub GF flour and oats, if you’d like to try it. Her recipe also calls for tofu instead of egg.

Can I Make Gluten Free Special K Loaf Without Nuts?

I have yet to see any recipe for Special K Loaf without the use of nuts. Healthy Little Vittles created a Vegan Gluten Free Meatloaf without nuts. However it does contain oats.

A Note About Sodium

A word on sodium. Between the cottage cheese and the George Washington seasoning, this is not a low sodium dish. (Meijer True Goodness Organic Bran Flakes contain 45 mg of sodium per ounce.) However, my motive for sharing this dish is to allow those who miss it a chance to have it again. Or for people to try something new and creative! If you’re concerned about sodium, this dish may not be for you.

Can’t find George Washington seasoning? Try this substitute seasoning recipe!

Gluten Free Special K Loaf

Equipment

Ingredients

24 oz. container cottage cheese I suggest Daisy brand, 4% fat
1/4 c. oil
1/4 c. milk
5 eggs beaten
2-4 packs of George Washington Broth seasoning
1 tbsp. onion flakes or one small onion, chopped
1 1/2 cups pecan pieces ground into meal can substitute other nuts
5-6 cups lightly crushed gluten free cereal I recommend using Nature’s Path Corn Flakes, as Freedom Foods is no longer in business. I briefly pulsed them in my Ninja blender to break into smaller pieces.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, mix together cottage cheese, oil, milk and beaten eggs. Next, add broth seasoning and onion flakes.
Next, roughly grind pecan pieces in a blender or food processor. Add the pecan meal to the wet ingredients and mix until incorporated thoroughly.
I chose to roughly process the flaked cereal before adding it to the wet mixture. If you want to skip this step, simply crush the cereal in the bag a bit.
Add mixture to casserole dish sprayed with cooking oil. Many recipes call for a 9 x 13 3 qt greased pan. I used a “10.5 x 7.5” 2.5 quart Staub Ceramic Gratin Dish.) Bake 45 minutes in a 350 degree oven.
Serve with a side vegetable of your choice.

Have you tried Gluten Free Special K Loaf before? What familiar meals do you miss, now that you must follow a gluten free diet? Let me know and maybe I can rework it for you!

**Staub provided me with gratin dish free of charge. I was not otherwise paid or compensated for this post. This post does contain Amazon affiliate links. I receive a small portion of the sale. However, this does not affect your final price.**

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