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Published September 15, 2013 | Last Updated October 10, 2022 By Barbara Bianchi 12 Comments

Traditional Italian Gluten Free Meatballs

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

Gluten Free Traditional Meatballs

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.

Gluten Free Traditional Meatballs

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.

Would you like my

quick easy Marinara sauce recipe?

In this recipe, I have recommended gluten-free products for you. When you make it homemade, you know what’s in it. 😊 

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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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Seriously the best homemade gluten free meatballs | Easy Italian meatballs | Gluten free recipe

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5 from 2 votes

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.
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About Barbara Bianchi

Barbara loves to bring fun into the kitchen and healthy food to the table. She also enjoys drinking coffee, eating a little chocolate, reading a good novel, going for walks and spending time with her family and friends.
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Filed Under: Beef, Dinner, Italian, Nut free, Recipe

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Debra Jason says

    September 17, 2013 at 9:54 pm

    I don’t maintain a gluten free diet, but know who many who do.
    This recipe sounds like it would be delish.
    Thanks.
    ~Debra

    Reply
    • Barbara says

      September 18, 2013 at 12:33 am

      Thanks! These meatballs are tasty and best of all, everyone can enjoy them.

      Reply
  2. Annemarie says

    September 18, 2013 at 1:32 pm

    I have been going more and more gluten over the years. Thanks for sharing this!

    Reply
    • Barbara says

      September 18, 2013 at 1:52 pm

      Your welcome, Annemarie. I hope you enjoy this recipe.

      Reply
  3. Dana (@DragynAlly) says

    September 18, 2013 at 2:11 pm

    I love that this recipe is gluten free and not vegan. Sometime people have a tough time separating the 2.

    Reply
    • Barbara says

      September 18, 2013 at 11:07 pm

      Thanks for stopping by, Dana. I hope you’ll enjoy this recipe.

      Reply
  4. Bonnie Gean says

    September 18, 2013 at 2:19 pm

    What is the purpose behind going gluten free? I see many websites touting gluten free, but few fail to explain why it’s so important. These meatballs look yummy… how different do they taste from meatballs that aren’t gluten-free?

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Barbara says

      September 18, 2013 at 10:58 pm

      Excellent question, Bonnie.

      According to the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, “Celiac disease is an autoimmune digestive disease that damages the villi of the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. What does this mean? Essentially the body is attacking itself every time a person with celiac consumes gluten.” You will find more information about symptoms and related diseases at https://www.celiaccentral.org/Celiac-Disease/21/

      My husband and 2 of my sons have non-celiac gluten sensitivity. My daughter and youngest son are allergic to wheat. This is why we are gluten free.

      Gluten is mostly found in cereal & grains, especially wheat. Some substitutes don’t taste too good, but more and more the food industry has been making better tasting gluten free foods because a lot of folks are finding that they feel better without gluten. Actually, we have found these meatballs don’t taste any different than those made with bread crumbs containing wheat.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Crazy for Gravy says:
    January 17, 2015 at 2:03 pm

    […] gluten free meatballs, fried recipe here […]

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  4. Italian Red Gravy (Gluten Free) - Gluten Free Homestead says:
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    […] your meatballs, here is my gluten free meatballs recipe or if you prefer grain free low carb meatballs here. Add them to your simmering […]

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