Add this quick and easy recipe to your weekly meal plan. This Low FODMAP Pepperoni Penne is the easiest gluten free pasta dish! It only has four ingredients, five if you want fresh basil as an optional garnish.
Whether you're on a low FODMAP diet or simply looking for a quick and easy meal, this pasta is a winner. It's a versatile dish that can be enjoyed by everyone, even those not on a specific diet. It's a pantry meal for those nights when the fridge is bare and grocery shopping is long overdue.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy Dish
- Flexible Pasta Dish
- Low FODMAP and Gluten Free
Featured Ingredients
- Gluten Free Penne Pasta Noodles - I love Barilla’s gluten free penne noodles for this dish. They hold their texture while baking, and taste great.
- Spaghetti Sauce - Use a Low FODMAP certified sauce or a homemade pasta sauce. I love Prego’s Sensitive Sauce. It is budget-friendly and delicious. Rao’s also has a good sensitive option.
- Pepperoni - This is a tricky ingredient because most pepperoni contains garlic and onion. However, it is possible to find an option that is FODMAP friendly. I have found a great pepperoni option at the deli counter.
- Mozzarella Cheese Slices - These melt perfectly and are FODMAP friendly because they are low in lactose.
- Fresh Basil - Optional, but a delicious option to add to the top of the melted cheese.
See the recipe card for the exact measurements and complete instructions.
Selected ingredients are based on guidance on current serving sizes measured by the Monash University Food App and FODMAP Friendly App at the time of publishing. As always, follow your gut and modify as needed.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Boil the noodles according to the package instructions. Add a teaspoon of kosher salt to the water for additional flavor. Drain. Add the noodles to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
Step 2: Pour the spaghetti sauce over the noodles. If the pepperoni is large, chop it into fourths. Add the chopped pepperoni to the baking dish and stir until combined.
Step 3: Top the noodles with the mozzarella slices, completely covering the noodles. Add a few pepperoni to the top. They get crispy and are one of my favorite parts.
Step 4: Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is golden brown and melted.
Tips and Tricks
Make two pans, and freeze one, unbaked. Place the frozen pepperoni penne straight into the oven and bake until heated and the cheese is melted. Leave the cover on for the first thirty minutes of baking time.
A kid-favorite recipe! Make it for birthday parties as an inexpensive casserole option.
Ingredient Swaps
- Noodles- Swap out the penne noodles for elbow noodles. If you can tolerate wheat, use a regular noodle.
- Pepperoni- Use Italian sausage or ground beef instead of pepperoni for the meat option.
- Cheese-Swap out mozzarella slices for shredded mozzarella cheese.
Variations
Dairy Free Pepperoni Penne: Use dairy free mozzarella shredded cheese instead of the slices.
Pizza Pepperoni Penne: Add all the best low FODMAP pizza toppings to get started.
Storing and Reheating
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Reheat: Warm up leftovers on a microwave-safe plate for 1-2 minutes until the noodles are warm.
Freeze: Store any chilled leftovers in the freezer for up to four months. The noodles will lose a bit of texture, but they will still be delicious.
Low FODMAP Notes
Low FODMAP information is based on the Monash University Food App and FODMAP Friendly App testing results. I highly recommend using these apps for guidance on ingredients and serving sizes and working with a Low FODMAP dietician.
As always, modify and adjust based on your own tolerance and individual needs on a modified low FODMAP diet.
- Gluten Free Noodles - Use a gluten free option to reduce the amount of fructans.
- Spaghetti Sauce - Use either homemade pasta sauce or certified low FODMAP spaghetti sauce.
- Pepperoni - Use a brand that does not have garlic or onion in the ingredients.
- Mozzarella Cheese - The recipe uses 10 slices and serves 8, which works out to be a little more than a slice and a bit more. Mozzarella cheese is a low lactose cheese and Monash has tested it to be safe at 40 grams per meal.
For additional information on a low FODMAP diet, please visit Monash University or FODMAP Friendly. Both have websites and apps for additional guidance and testing results.
FAQs
The key to eating pepperoni on the low FODMAP diet is finding an option that does not have garlic or onion listed in the ingredients. It takes a bit of research but it is worth it to enjoy this pasta dish and pizza! I have found a great pepperoni option at the deli counter. It is designed for sandwiches, but it works!
Meal Planning
Serve this pasta dish with a side salad with either low FODMAP ranch dressing or Italian dressing. Make a side of baked parmesan crisps. The texture of the crisps goes great with the side salad and the baked noodles.
Make Ahead: Meal prep this dish the night before and take it out of the refrigerator to take off the chill while the oven preheats.
Additional Pasta Recipes
- Gluten Free Beef Stroganoff - A rich, hearty slow cooker pasta option with beef stew meat.
- Gluten Free and Dairy Free Chicken Alfredo - A one-pot alfredo pasta dish with broccoli.
- Cottage Cheese Alfredo - In less than 15 minutes, this alfredo sauce is done and ready to eat.
- Low FODMAP Lasagna - Layers of gluten free noodles, cheese, and a sensitive spaghetti sauce.
Love This Recipe?
Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating + comment. It helps so much, and we love hearing from everyone! Thank You -Venessa
Recipe
Low FODMAP Gluten Free Penne Pasta
Equipment
- Baking Pan 9x13-inch
Ingredients
- 12 ounces gluten free penne noodles
- 1 23.75 ounces jarred spaghetti sauce (note 1)
- ½ pound pepperoni (note 2)
- 10 slices mozzarella cheese
- fresh basil optional garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large saucepan, boil penne noodles according to the directions on the package. Salt the boiling water with a pinch of salt.
- Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray for easy cleanup.
- Drain noodles and add to the prepared dish.
- Pour spaghetti sauce over noodles and stir until noodles are covered in sauce.
- Dice pepperoni and add to noodles. Reserve a few pepperoni as a topping.
- Top noodles completely with the mozzarella cheese slices.
- Sprinkle reserved pepperoni to the top of the cheese.
- Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and the edges are golden brown.
- Serve with side salad and parmesan cheese crisps.
Venessa says
This is a kid fave in our house!