Gluten Free Meatballs with Pesto

This gluten free meatballs with pesto dish is the perfect meal for an easy weeknight or even to meal prep for lunch on the go…both of which I need regularly. I’m so busy during the day that its so easy to be able to pull a meal that is already prepared! When I first went gluten free I felt like having a meal ready to go when I was super busy, really made my life easier!

For this gluten free dinner recipe I use gluten free breadcrumbs in the meatballs and gluten free penne. To make this am easy dairy free dinner recipe use dairy fre parmesan cheese in the meatballs and dairy free pesto. For the easy nut free dinner recipe use a pesto without pine nuts. For a low carb version serve over veggie pasta or low carb pasta.

The more meatballs the better!!! I love how easily these meatballs are for delicious lunches on the go for work, just like my baked meatball skillet and my gluten free pesto meatballs.

why you’ll love this recipe

• This gluten free meatballs with pesto recipe cooks quickly, making it ideal for a quick and satisfying weeknight meal. Who has 2 hour to spend cooking dinner every night? NOT ME. The simplier the better.
• The meatballs and pasta can be easily doubled or tripled for meal prep. I love making these for meal prep lunches or for a fun party appetizer.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making your lunches or dinners hassle-free.
• Both the meatballs and the pasta are gluten-free, making this dish suitable for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
• Use any type of gluten-free pasta you like, such as penne, rotini, or spaghetti.
• For a fat-free option, choose lean ground chicken and omit the parmesan cheese.
• To make it dairy-free, use dairy-free parmesan cheese and a dairy-free pesto.
• You can easily whip up your own pesto using fresh basil, pine nuts, olive oil, garlic, and salt. I love doing this when I have a lot of fresh basil in the garden.
• If you’re short on time, store-bought pesto works perfectly and saves you prep time.
• If you don’t have gluten-free breadcrumbs, use ground pork rinds. This is such a great hack I like to use when I want a low carb dinner.

ingredients & substitutions

Ground Chicken: This is the main protein in the gluten free meatballs. You can use ground turkey or beef instead if you prefer. Literally any type of ground meat will work here including lean ground beef or ground pork. 

Gluten-Free Italian Seasoned Breadcrumbs: I use gluten-free breadcrumbs add bulk and texture to the meatballs. Make sure to buy ones labeled gluten-free! You can substitute with a mixture of crushed gluten-free crackers in place of gluten-free bread crumbs.

Parmesan Cheese (or Dairy-Free Alternative): This adds my favorite cheesy flavor. Use your favorite dairy-free cheese like cheddar or mozzarella if needed. It also helps to keep the meatballs crispy on the outside and soft in the center, just how I like them!

Pesto: My favorite of the dish!!! This pesto provides a vibrant and flavorful base for the whole recipe. Choose store-bought pesto for convenience, or whip up your own using fresh basil, pine nuts, olive oil, garlic, and salt. I love the dairy free one from trader joes! I even add a little extra olive oil to it. For a nut-free alternative, substitute sunflower seeds in place of the pine nuts for this gluten free meatballs with pesto recipe.

directions

Step 1

Add all the ingredients for the meatballs into a bowl. Mix together and form mini meatballs with your hands.

Step 2

Add the meatballs to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.Bake on 350 for 25-35 minutes or until fully cooked.

Step 3

Cook the pasta according to box directions. Drain once cooked. Add cooked pasta to a frying pan.

Step 4

Top with meatballs and pesto sauce. Heat until the pasta, sauce and meatballs are all warmed together.

Step 5

Top with fresh basil and dairy free parmesan cheese.

expert tips & tricks

• For a richer pesto flavor, add 1/4 cup of pesto to the meatball mixture.
• You can use any type of pesto that you like. If you don’t have any on hand, you can easily make your own by blending together fresh basil, pine nuts, olive oil, garlic, and salt.
• If you are not dairy-free, luck you! You can use regular parmesan cheese instead of the dairy-free version.
• Gluten free meatballs with pesto leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days…But in my house they never last for 3 days! They are gone in less than 24 hours!
• Replace the breadcrumbs in this gluten free meatballs with pesto with crushed pork rinds for a low carb option. Use spiralized vegetables like zucchini or spaghetti squash or a low carb cauliflower based pasta instead of pasta.
• For a lower fat gluten free meatballs with pesto recipe, I like to omit the parmesan cheese from both the meatballs and the pesto. Use a low-fat pesto or make your own using less olive oil.

how to serve, store and meal prep

Serving:

This gluten free meatballs with pesto dish is best served warm, immediately after preparation. The pesto sauce coats the meatballs and pasta perfectly, creating a flavorful and satisfying meal. Garnish with fresh basil leaves, diced red onion, or crushed red pepper flakes for an extra touch of flavor and texture.

Refrigerator Storage:

Leftovers of the gluten free meatballs with pesto can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This makes it a convenient option for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week. Reheat in a pan over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent drying. You can also reheat individual servings in the microwave until warmed through.

Freezer Storage:

You can store the gluten free meatballs with pesto for up to 3 months. Store in individual portion size containers to make it a great meal prep option in a pinch! Reheat individual servings in the microwave.

Meal Prep Tip:

I love a convenient meal prep to make lunch or dinners easier. I just portion the cooked meatballs and pasta into individual containers. Add a small container of pesto to each portion for easy dressing. This way, I can quickly grab a delicious and nutritious meal when Im short on time.

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Listen to this podcasts episode

Every Wednesday we are joined by Kayla Cappiello the author of Easy Allergy-Free Cooking: Simple & Safe Everyday Recipes for Everyone of COOKING WITH KAYLA.
Today Kayla we are talking about her PESTO PASTA WITH MEATBALLS.

The meatballs are made with chicken. This is a gluten-free recipe and it can also be made dairy-free!