This gluten free meatballs with pesto dish is the perfect meal for an easy weeknight or even to meal prep for lunch on the go! Its made with lean ground chicken meatballs, fresh pesto that you can make yourself or buy, and pasta!
For the gluten free recipe use gluten free breadcrumbs in the meatballs and gluten free penne. To make this a dairy free recipe use dairy free parmesan cheese in the meatballs and dairy free pesto. For the nut free recipe use a pesto without pine nuts. For a low carb version serve over veggie pasta or low carb pasta.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
This gluten free meatballs with pesto recipe cooks quickly, making it ideal for a quick and satisfying weeknight meal.
The meatballs and pasta can be easily doubled or tripled for meal prep.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making your lunches or dinners hassle-free.
Both the meatballs and the pasta are gluten-free, making this dish suitable for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Use any type of gluten-free pasta you like, such as penne, rotini, or spaghetti.
For a fat-free option, choose lean ground chicken and omit the parmesan cheese.
To make it dairy-free, use dairy-free parmesan cheese and a dairy-free pesto.
You can easily whip up your own pesto using fresh basil, pine nuts, olive oil, garlic, and salt.
If you’re short on time, store-bought pesto works perfectly and saves you prep time.
If you don’t have gluten-free breadcrumbs, use ground pork rinds.
Opt for regular breadcrumbs and regular pasta if you don’t have gluten restrictions.
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gluten free meatballs with pesto recipe
Prep Time 10minutes mins
Cook Time 30minutes mins
Servings: 3 servings
Ingredients
2 cups penne gluten free
2 cups pesto store bought or homemade
1 lb ground chicken
3 tbsp milk dairy free
1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs gluten free
1 egg or egg whites
2 tbsp parmesan cheese dairy free
Instructions
Add all the ingredients for the meatballs into a bowl. Mix together and form mini meatballs with your hands.
Add the meatballs to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake on 350 for 25-35 minutes or until fully cooked
Cook the pasta according to box directions. Drain once cooked.
Add cooked pasta to a frying pan.
Top with meatballs and pesto sauce. Heat until the pasta, sauce and meatballs are all warmed together.
Top with fresh basil and dairy free parmesan cheese.
Have questions on what you can use as substitute ingredients if you don’t have something? Need step by step photos?