Traditional Italian Gluten Free Meatballs

Wonderful gluten-free meatballs. My friend’s grandmother gave me her traditional meatball recipe. Here’s my gluten-free version of the recipe.

When I was a young girl, my good friend was Italian. She often invited me to come with her to her grandmother’s house on Sunday.

There were always large homemade meatballs, pork chops, sausage, etc.. There was always joking and laughter as her aunts, uncles, and cousins gathered together.

They treated me like family, and I’ll never forget their warm smiles.

When I asked my friend’s lovely Grandma how she prepared her wonderful meatballs, she listed the ingredients as a handful of this and a handful of that.

Ingredients

You just won’t believe how these simple ingredients (ground beef, an egg, Parmigiano cheese, parsley, garlic, salt and breadcrumbs) combine for mouthwatering meatballs.

How to make gluten free meatballs from scratch

*Free printable recipe card is available at the end of the post.

Ready to make traditional meatballs? Let’s go.

We start with ground beef. (80/20 chuck works best with this recipe.)

Combine your beef with a beaten egg and a handful of Parmigiano cheese. In this case a handful equals a tablespoon. (I use aged Parmigiano Reggiano).

Next add some parsley, about a teaspoon, and some finely minced fresh garlic.

Next, mix in a handful of your favorite breadcrumbs. Since my family is gluten-free, I use Shar’s bread crumbs, (In this case a handful is equal to a quarter of a cup). Season with salt.

Gluten free and dairy free meatballs

If dairy doesn’t agree with you, you can eliminate the cheese or go with your favorite dairy free cheese.

Pro tips and Recipe notes

• Now you’re ready to roll your meatballs. Not too tight, however. You want to lightly roll them between your hands to form a ball that feels like it will hold together, but lightly so they will absorb the sauce that you will simmer them in after you fry them in oil.
• I use extra-virgin olive oil for frying over a medium flame being careful that the oil doesn’t smoke.
• Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. 

Finally simmer your meatballs in homemade sauce.

You’re going to love these traditional meatballs. É squisito!

P.S. If you make this recipe, share your snap on Instagram and tag #glutenfreehomestead. I always love seeing your photos.

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Traditional Italian Gluten Free Meatballs

Delicious gluten free traditional meatballs. My friend's grandmother gave me her traditional meatball recipe. Here is my gluten-free version of the recipe.

Course Dinner

Cuisine Italian-American

Keyword beef meatballs recipe, gluten free meatballs, Italian meatball recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Servings 4

Calories 480kcal

Author Barbara Bianchi

Ingredients

• 2 pounds of ground beef 80/20 chuck works best with this recipe
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon of parmesan cheese grated
• 3 cloves of garlic finely minced
• 1 teaspoon of parsley
• 1/4 cup of gluten free bread crumbs
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• oil for frying

Instructions

• Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
• Roll into meatballs.
• Fry meatballs in oil and brown them well on all sides over medium-low heat, turning carefully about 10 minutes.
• Then simmer meatballs in 1 1/2-2 quarts of gluten free sauce.
• Serve and enjoy.

Notes

• You want to lightly roll your meatballs between your hands to form a ball that feels like it will hold together, but lightly so they will absorb the sauce that you will simmer them in after you fry them in oil.
• I use extra-virgin olive oil for frying over a medium flame being careful that the oil doesn't smoke. You can use another oil if you prefer.
• Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. 

Nutrition

Calories: 480kcal

did you make this recipe? We want to see! Take a pic, and tag @glutenfreehomestead on Instagram.