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Gluten Free Beef and Quinoa Meatballs

plate of spaghetti with three beef and quinoa meatballs sprinkled with cheese and parsley.
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★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

These protein-packed Italian beef and quinoa meatballs are easy to make, naturally gluten-free, and full of flavor. They're also freezer-friendly and a great use for leftover quinoa. (gluten-free, dairy-free)

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb lean ground beef (or turkey, chicken or venison)
  • 1 cup cooked quinoa
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/4 cup onion
  • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary (or 1/2 tsp dried)
  • 1 tbsp thyme (or 1/2 tsp dried)
  • 1 tbsp fresh oregano (or 1/2 tsp dried)
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • Olive oil

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 425° F. If using a cast iron skillet, place it in the oven to preheat.
  2. In a small food processor (or by hand) chop garlic, onion, and herbs (if using fresh) until they are finely minced.
  3. 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.
  4. Roll mixture into meatballs that are about 2 inches in diameter.
  5. Use olive oil to carefully coat the bottom of the hot cast iron skillet.
  6. Place meatballs about 1 inch apart and bake until the center is cooked through (it should register at 155° F on a thermometer), about 20 minutes.
  7. If you prefer a crispy outside, you can broil meatballs for 5 minutes or so, watching them carefully.
  8. Remove from oven and enjoy over pasta or zucchini noodles with your favorite sauce.

Notes

  • I like to pour my pasta sauce directly into the skillet during the last 10 minutes or so of cooking for one less dirty dish! (I use my homemade garlic herb spaghetti sauce.)
  • You can make the meatballs larger or smaller to suit your preference. Adjust the baking time accordingly.
  • Freeze meatballs on a baking sheet (cooked or uncooked) then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container once fully frozen. Thaw in the refrigerator before cooking.

Keywords: beef and quinoa meatballs, gluten-free Italian meatballs, meatballs with quinoa

Find it online: https://livelytable.com/italian-quinoa-meatballs/