15+ Easy Gluten Free Pasta Dinner Ideas

Why You’ll Love These Recipes

What makes these the best pasta dinner ideas? Let’s take a look at why the recipes below are destined to be on your weekly rotation soon enough:

• Easy. Pasta dinners don’t need to be boring, and they also don’t need to take a ton of time and energy to prepare. I’m sharing my favorite pasta dinners that come together easily and taste great.
• Family-friendly. It’s no secret that kids love pasta, and you can rest assured that the recipes here are not only family-approved but made wholesome and healthy, too!
• Great for leftovers. Who else agrees that most pasta dishes taste even better in the days after they’re made? One of the best things about these recipes is that most, if not all, are perfect to store as leftovers. Don’t forget to check out the section later in the post with storing tips!
• Gluten-free. The recipes below are tried and tested and 100% safe for gluten-free diets. Of course, make sure that the ingredients you’re using are certified gluten-free. If you have a particularly severe allergy or sensitivity, always check with your doctor or healthcare professional to be sure.

Tips for Cooking Gluten-Free Pasta

Pasta is as simple as boiling your favorite noodles in water, but there are some easy tips that can make all the difference in terms of texture and flavor. Here are my best tips for perfecting gluten-free pasta to use in all your pasta dinners:

• Use enough water when boiling pasta. Make sure that your noodles have enough room to swim around while they cook. If you use a pot that’s too small, the pasta will clump and stick.
• Don’t add oil to your pasta water. All this does is send valuable olive oil down the drain, and (contrary to popular belief) if you use a correctly sized pot, it doesn’t actually keep the pasta from sticking. If you’re concerned about your spaghetti clumping together, toss it in a bit of olive oil after it’s drained. 
• DO add salt to your pasta water. Don’t forget to salt the water you’ll use to boil the pasta. Add in a hefty, generous tablespoon of salt. Pasta water that’s salted like the sea is key to well-seasoned pasta noodles!
• Bring the water to a boil before you add the pasta. This might seem obvious, but it does make a difference if your water is at a true boil versus a gentle boil when adding the pasta. Get that water at a steady, rolling boil first!
• Pay attention to cooking times. Always refer to the individual packaging when cooking pasta to know the correct cooking times. Times vary from pasta to pasta, and brand to brand, so it’s important to check to ensure that your pasta is cooked properly.
• Save some of your pasta water. This is an age-old trick, especially if you’re making sauces or fillings to go with your pasta. The salted pasta water holds loads of richness and starches, perfect for enhancing sauces and thinning out textures without sacrificing flavor.

15+ Gluten-Free Pasta Dinners to Make Tonight

Try these fun and easy pasta dinner ideas that you’ll want to make for every night of the week.

World’s Best Gluten Free Lasagna

This best-ever gluten-free lasagna recipe is a family-favorite pasta dinner. This saucy lasagna with meat sauce is perfect for feeding a crowd, and saving for leftovers!

Get The Recipe

Favorite Pasta Sauces

If you have boiled up your favorite gluten free pasta, you can simply serve it with your favorite sauce, like one of these:

• Marinara Sauce – the classic tomato-based sauce that is simple, fresh, and versatile.
• Bolognese Sauce – made the traditional way, this hearty meat sauce will fill the belly and soul.
• Vodka Sauce – it seems impressive to make creamy penne alla vodka, but it’s really so easy.
• Alfredo Sauce – surprisingly, this all-time favorite rich indulgence is naturally gluten free.

Make It a Meal

Looking to turn your pasta dish into a well-rounded meal? Serve any of the dinner ideas mentioned here with one or more of these easy side dish suggestions:

• Garlic Bread: You know what pairs well with carbs? Even more carbs. Bulk up a pasta dinner with bread sides like Gluten-Free Garlic Breadsticks or Gluten-Free Texas Toast.
• Salad: For a lighter side dish, pair pasta with a fresh Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad, Green Salad, or an Italian-Style Romaine Wedge Salad. (Or, lead into the meal with Chef Salad on a Stick Appetizers!) 
• Veggies: Enjoy pasta with a vegetable side of Air Fryer Asparagus, Ratatouille, Air Fryer Zucchini, or Lemon Parmesan Roasted Broccoli.
• Protein: Pair gluten-free pasta with meaty mains like Slow Cooker Steak Pizzaiola, Honey Balsamic Steak Bites, or Gluten Free Salmon Wellington.
• Dessert: What better way to finish up a pasta dinner than with a delicious Italian-inspired dessert? Try my Gluten Free Tiramisu!      

Storing and Reheating Leftover Pasta 

Most pasta dinners are great to make ahead, and leftovers can be stored in the fridge for a few days. Store leftovers airtight, and reheat them either in the microwave or on the stovetop. It’s always a good idea to refer to the specific storage instructions for each recipe.

Can I Freeze Cooked Pasta?

Again, most pasta recipes are fine to freeze after they’re cooked. Allow the dish to cool completely, then store the pasta airtight and freeze it for up to 3 months. Defrost your pasta dinner in the fridge before following the reheating instructions.

Of course, not all pasta dinners are freezer-friendly, particularly if they’re made with ingredients that don’t hold up well when frozen. Check the freezing instructions for individual recipes to be sure!

More Easy Gluten-Free Dinner Ideas

• Gluten-Free Chicken Rice Casserole
• Gluten-Free Pepperoni Pizza
• Chicken and Mushrooms Spaghetti Squash Casserole
• Baked Spaghetti Squash with Sausage