As a gluten-free coach and busy mom, one of the biggest requests I find in my DMs is, “I need easy recipes that everyone in the family will eat.” On those busy days when I need something quick to throw together, these homemade gluten-free meatballs are it. Bonus: ¾ of our house actually likes meatballs.
The Best Part of Homemade Meatballs
First, let’s talk about why homemade meatballs are a great dinner option as part of the gluten-free lifestyle. Not only are they easy to make, but you can also mix and match them with a lot of different meals.
Something you will quickly realize as you start your gluten-free diet: your standard store-bought options for things like meatballs often contain gluten, and the gluten-free options are not cheap.
When you make them yourself, you have full control over what goes into them—no mystery ingredients, hidden gluten, or breaking the bank.
Knowing What’s In Your Food
Honestly, ever since going gluten-free, I have spent a lot more time learning exactly what goes into my food and customizing recipes to suit my family’s tastes.
That’s why homemade meatballs are a go-to meal for us. There are not a lot of ingredients that go into it, and I know exactly what they are.
Gluten-Free Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground meat (beef, turkey, chicken, or even plant-based)
- 1/2 cup gluten-free breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp oregano (fresh & ground)
- 1 tbsp basil (fresh & ground)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F
- In a large bowl, add all ingredients and mix until everything is evenly mixed.
- Once your mixture is nicely mixed, take small handfuls of the meat mixture and roll them into balls about the size of a golf ball. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them out evenly.
- Bake the meatballs for 12 minutes, then open the oven, flip them over to the other side, and bake for another 13 minutes.
- Once the meatballs are cooked all the way through (internal temperature of at least 160°F), remove them from the oven and let them cool.
- Pair with noodles, a vegetable, or spaghetti, and enjoy!
Pro Tip: Get the Kids Involved
One of my favorite things about making meatballs is getting my kids involved. They’re not fans of getting messy, but I use an ice cream scoop to shape the meatballs, and they love that step!
Plus, it’s a great way to teach them about cooking and what’s actually in their food. Win-win!
Meal Ideas
Now that you’ve got your recipe for gluten-free meatballs, it’s time to get creative with how you serve them up. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs: Serve your meatballs over a bed of gluten-free spaghetti with your favorite gluten-free spaghetti sauce.
- Meatball Subs: Fill gluten-free hoagie rolls with meatballs, marinara sauce, and melty cheese for a deliciously messy meal.
- Meatballs and Veggies: Keep it simple and eat your meatballs with a bit of gluten-free BBQ sauce and your favorite vegetable.
- Meatball Pizza: Use your meatballs as a topping for a gluten-free pizza crust and some sauce, cheese, and other toppings your heart desires.
As a busy mom, having easy go-to meals is key. My meal planning eBook teaches you everything you need to know about finding easy recipes, making sure they work for your family, and creating a meal plan that you’ll actually stick to.
ABOUT ME
Hey There, I’m Kristin, a gluten-free nutrition coach helping gluten-free families adjust to their new lifestyle.
