Go Back
25minute baked ground beef meatballs taken with iphone 15 pro max --iw 2 --ar 4:5 --v 6.1 --raw

25 Minute Gluten-Free Beef Meatballs

This quick and easy gluten-free beef meatballs recipe delivers juicy, tender meatballs baked perfectly and served with a spicy harissa tomato sauce. A perfect comforting yet light dinner that's gluten-free and full of flavor.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 320 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 oven preheated to 375 degrees F
  • 1 mixing bowl to combine ingredients
  • 1 baking sheet parchment-lined for baking meatballs
  • 1 saucepan to cook sauce

Ingredients
  

Main ingredients

  • ⅓ cup quinoa flakes found in breakfast cereal aisle
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds for paleo and egg-free option (just skip the egg)
  • ⅓ cup almond flour for paleo variant
  • ⅓ cup ground gluten-free pretzels pulsed in a food processor
  • ½ cup gluten-free rolled oats
  • 1 large beaten egg
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • ¼ cup finely chopped basil or mint
  • 1 clove garlic minced or pressed
  • 1 large shallot or onion minced
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ¾ teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 pound ground beef preferably 87% or less lean
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic thinly sliced
  • 1 to 3 tablespoons harissa paste for that spicy flavor
  • 2 cups tomato or marinara sauce
  • ¼ cup torn basil or mint leaves divided for garnish and sauce

Instructions
 

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Mix quinoa flakes, chia seeds if going egg-free, almond flour, ground gluten-free pretzels, rolled oats, and beaten egg in a big bowl until combined but not mushy.
  • Add tomato paste, chopped basil or mint, garlic, shallot, paprika, and salt. Mix well with a fork until evenly distributed.
  • Fold ground beef into the mixture with clean hands, being careful not to overwork.
  • Shape mixture into about a dozen 2-inch meatballs using an ice cream scoop. Roll smooth and place on parchment-lined sheet.
  • Bake meatballs for 20 minutes until browned and cooked through.
  • To make sauce, heat olive oil in saucepan over low heat, cook garlic slices until golden (~2 minutes). Off the heat, stir in harissa paste and let flavor develop for 1 minute. Add tomato or marinara sauce and half the herbs, simmer gently for 3 minutes. Toss meatballs in sauce, garnish with remaining herbs, and serve hot.

Notes

Baking these meatballs saves time and lets you prepare other dishes. They can be frozen uncooked for later use. Use pre-minced garlic or dried herbs to speed prep. You can substitute chili garlic sauce if harissa paste is unavailable. Serve over pasta or alone with sauce.