A recipe that’s perfect for busy weeknights with less than an hour prep to table cook time. This Gluten Free Spaghetti & Meatballs recipe is packed with flavour with juicy meatballs and classic marinara sauce. Tie with your favourite store-bought gluten free marinara sauce to save time, or use your favourite homemade sauce too!

Ready to enjoy an easy Gluten Free Dinner? Add this easy gluten free recipe to your next weeknight dinner menu.

Gluten Free Spaghetti & Meatballs

Enjoy an easy gluten free spaghetti and meatball recipe. This is the ultimate weeknight family pasta dinner — it's quick and picky approved!

5 from 5 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Ingredients

 

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• ▢ 1 large egg
• ▢ 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil plus more for serving
• ▢ 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
• ▢ 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ▢ ¾ teaspoon salt
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ▢ 2 cloves garlic minced
• ▢ ¼ cup water
• ▢ 1½ pounds ground meat mix equal parts ground beef & pork
• ▢ ¾ cup dried Gluten Free bread crumbs
• ▢ ½ cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese plus more for serving
• ▢ Gluten Free Marinara sauce
• ▢ 1 pound gluten free spaghetti

Instructions

 

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  Preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position.
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  In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, basil, parsley, oregano, salt, pepper, garlic and water.
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  Add the meat, breadcrumbs and cheese and hand mix until just combined.
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  Do not overwork it.
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  Roll the mixture into miniature ball-sized meatballs and place on an ungreased baking sheet.
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  Bake for about 10 minutes, then remove the baking sheet from oven and use a metal spatula to turn the meatballs.
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  Put the meatballs back in the oven and cook for another 10 minutes, until they are nicely browned and almost cooked through.
• ▢
  Bring the marinara sauce to a simmer in a large skillet.
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  Adjust the seasoning if necessary.
• ▢
  Transfer the meatballs to the marinara sauce, leaving the fat behind.
• ▢
  Cover loosely with a lid or foil and simmer for about 10 minutes, until the flavours and the meatballs are cooked through.
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  Keep warm until ready to toss with gluten free spaghetti pasta.
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  While the meatballs & marinara sauce are cooking, bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil.
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  Add the gluten free spaghetti and cook until al dente.
• ▢
  Drain, then toss with the sauce and meatballs.
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  Serve topped with fresh basil and more grated cheese.

With a few technique-driven and time-saving tricks, homemade gluten free spaghetti and meatballs can be yours any night of the week!

Do you have to cook meatballs before putting in marinara sauce?

The choice is yours! You can brown uncooked meatballs in a sauté pan before adding to the marinara sauce. You can cook as directed above, in the oven. You can skip browning and put the raw meatballs straight into the marinara sauce to slow cook – this does take the longest of course. 

Is it better to pan fry or bake gluten free meatballs?

Baked takes the least amount of effort. You’ll only need to turn them once or twice throughout the cooking process and can make a larger batch all at once.

Baking will result in a crunchy exterior, though the caramelisation achieved from frying will be superior.

What can you use instead of breadcrumbs in gluten free meatballs?

Not able to get gluten free breadcrumbs? There are many substitutes that work similar to breadcrumbs in gluten free recipes including; almond meal, tapioca starch, ground chiar/flax seeds, and of gluten free panko crumbs.

What gluten free spaghetti pasta is closest to regular spaghetti pasta?

If you’re looking for a gluten free pasta that is close in texture to regular pasta, Catelli is the brand for you. Catelli Gluten Free Spaghetti pasta that is made without preservatives, so that you can eat gluten-free, compromise-free, without odd texture or taste.