Healthy, protein packed Gluten Free Italian Beef Quinoa Meatballs are easy to make and full of flavor! (gluten-free, dairy-free)
When my husband and I started dating, I would go over to his house and make him dinner pretty often. I still lived in the dorm, so I jumped at the chance to use a real kitchen any time I could. Most of the time his roommate was there, so I would cook a romantic dinner for 3. Me, my husband, and Rob. Rob was a goofball and a big ol’ dude. One of the first things I made for those boys was spaghetti and meatballs with these gluten-free Italian beef quinoa meatballs. I figured if Rob was from an Italian family, he’d like meatballs right?
Of course I was right. He loved them and I think I officially won his approval to date his friend. Or so I thought. Come to find out, they waited until I went home before going to get ice cream half of the time. Apparently since I cooked them healthy food, they thought I didn’t like ice cream (wrong)! It wasn’t until about a month before Rob graduated and moved out that I finally got to join them on their ice cream outings… But I digress. Back to the meatballs.
This recipe is one that I came up with while working as a nanny and chef for a young family in college. The sweet mother had Celiac, so I would make their dinners gluten free. These Italian beef quinoa meatballs have quinoa instead of bread crumbs so they are completely gluten free. Quinoa also adds whole grain goodness and extra plant protein. I like to use lots of garlic, onions, and Italian spices to make them super flavorful and delicious. Then I serve them over spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles to make a completely gluten free spaghetti and meatballs meal. Of course, they’re also delicious over regular pasta.
Since we usually have a freezer full of venison, I typically make my gluten-free Italian beef quinoa meatballs with ground venison instead of beef. To keep your meatballs on the healthy side, I suggest using lean ground beef or turkey if you aren’t a hunter (or married to a hunter)! Finish these guys off with my Herbed Spaghetti Sauce and some fresh mozzarella, and you’ve got a healthy yet hearty meal that will make any man’s heart melt. He might even invite you for ice cream!
Gluten Free Italian Beef Quinoa Meatballs
Healthy, protein packed Gluten Free Italian Beef Quinoa Meatballs are easy to make and full of flavor! (gluten-free, dairy-free)
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12-15 meatballs 1x
- Category: Main dish
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 1 lb extra lean ground beef (or turkey, or venison)
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1 sprig rosemary, leaves removed (or 1/2 tsp dried)
- 1 sprig thyme, leaves removed (or 1/2 tsp dried)
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- Pinch black pepper
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 egg, beaten
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350° F. If using a cast iron skillet, place it in the oven to preheat.
- In a small food processor or Nutribullet chop garlic, onion, and herbs (if using fresh) until they are finely minced. Alternately, you can chop them finely by hand.
- Add mixture to a large bowl with the rest of the ingredients except for oil. Mix until all of the ingredients are distributed evenly. I like to use my hands to squish it all together.
- Roll mixture into meatballs that are about an inch and a half in diameter.
- Use olive oil to coat the bottom of the hot cast iron skillet or a cookie sheet.
- Place meatballs about 1 inch apart in hot skillet or onto the cookie sheet.
- Bake meatballs until the center is cooked through (it should register at 155° F on a thermometer), about 25-20 minutes.
- If you prefer a crispy outside, you can broil meatballs for 5 minutes or so, watching them carefully. If you prefer, pour sauce over meatballs for the last 10-15 minutes of cooking and top with cheese!
- Remove from oven and enjoy over pasta or zucchini noodles with your favorite sauce.
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This has become a staple in my house! Easy to make and delicious!
Glad to hear it Diana!
Can’t wait to try these on my man! Love that you used quinoa instead of bread crumbs!
Thanks Jessica! Let me know how he likes them! 🙂