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Gluten Free foodies rejoice! Italian food is typically a nightmare for gluten free folk, however with a few substitutions making Italian food gluten free can be easy! These meatballs are made with gluten free bread crumbs and ground turkey instead of beef/pork which makes them a low-fat, guilt free food!
In my pre-celiac days I loved pasta and Italian food. There is nothing quite as comforting as garlic bread, pasta and cheese. I miss the freedom or ordering whatever I want at an Italian restaurant: ravioli, lasagna, gnocchi, meatballs, the list goes on! Although many restaurants are becoming more accommodating to the gluten free diet, there are still many authentic Italian restaurants that do not offer gluten free dishes. Luckily all of the above foods can be made gluten free at home! No need to buy frozen store bought versions that are made with fillers and other ingredients you cannot pronounce.
Authentic Italian Meatballs are made with either ground beef, ground pork, pork sausage or a combination of these meats. The fatty meat is part of what makes meatballs so rich & flavorful. If you have been following me for a while you know that I like to keep my recipes light. I used ground turkey in these meatballs and I swear they could fool anyone’s grandma! I used a higher-quality brand of ground turkey which was $7.99 per pound. For reference, in my area (Chicago suburbs) other brands such as Butterball & Jennie-O run between $3.99 – $5.99 per pound. I believe the higher-quality ground turkey yields better results in recipes like this. You could use ground beef or pork if you would like, but keep in mind that this recipe is based around 1 pound of meat. Adding any more meat with require an adjustment to the ingredients.
THE BREAD CRUMBS
Bread crumbs are a key ingredient in all meatballs. This is why us gluten freebies cannot order meatballs at restaurants. However I would not suggest making meatballs without the bread crumbs because they add moisture and texture to the mix, similar to meatloaf. Luckily, gluten free bread crumbs are readily available in most stores. For this recipe I used Aleia’s Italian style bread crumbs which are gluten free and dairy free (win win!). I was pleasantly surprised with the texture and flavor of these bread crumbs. The best part: Since the container is 13 ounces I barely even made a dent when using 1/3 cup for the meatballs! I know it can be hard to find Italian Seasoning flavored gluten free bread crumbs, so you can just use regular unflavored gluten free bread crumbs if needed. You will simply just add more Italian seasoning to your meatballs if using unflavored bread crumbs. I really like Ian’s gluten free Panko Breadcrumbs as an alternative.
THE SEASONING
Salt & Pepper: I add 1 teaspoon of salt to the mix. If using beef, pork, or sausage I recommend decreasing the salt as those meats have more naturally occurring flavor. Ground turkey is very bland so a little more salt is needed to bring out the flavors. I also added a dash or two of ground black pepper (around 1/8 teaspoon). Sometimes pepper can over-power a dish if too much is used, so I am always on the cautious side when using pepper.
Garlic: If you have followed my previous recipes you know that I LOVE garlic. For this recipe I used 3 cloves of garlic but even I have to admit it was a little too much. I recommend using 2 cloves of minced garlic.
Onion Powder: Adding 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder balances the ingredients and adds a depth of flavor.
Parsley: If using bread crumbs with Italian Seasoning I recommend adding 1/4 teaspoon of parsley. If using plain bread crumbs I recommend upping the seasoning to 1/2 teaspoon of parsley. I used dried parsley but you could use fresh as well.
Italian Seasoning: If using bread crumbs with Italian Seasoning I recommend adding 1/4 teaspoon of Italian Seasoning. If using plain bread crumbs I recommend upping the seasoning to 1/2 teaspoon of Italian Seasoning.
Egg: Adding an egg to the mix helps to bind the ingredients.
Bake at 375 for 15-17 minutes. Serve immediately with red sauce and your favorite pasta. Enjoy!
Gluten Free Italian Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1.5 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/3 cup Italian bread crumbs (gluten free) (see notes)
- 1/4 teaspoon parsley (see notes)
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian Seasoning (see notes)
- 1 egg
- Pinch ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375. Grease a baking sheet with 1.5 tablespoons of olive oil.
- In a mixing bowl add all remaining ingredients. Mix with your hands until all ingredients are combined.
- Using a measuring tablespoon, scoop the mixture and roll into 1-1.5 inch balls. Place on baking sheet at least 1 inch apart. Repeat until all of the mixture has been used (about 14 meatballs).
- Bake in the oven for 15-17 minutes, or until meatballs begin to brown.
- Serve immediately with your favorite sauce & pasta. Enjoy!
Notes
- If using Italian seasoned bread crumbs, use 1/4 teaspoon of both parsley & Italian seasoning.
- If using plain bread crumbs increase the seasoning to 1/2 teaspoon of both parsley & Italian seasoning.
Enjoy with your favorite sauce and pasta. I ate with Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi and it was delicious! You can also enjoy a lower-carb version by eating the meatballs without pasta.
