This incredibly flavorful gluten free meatloaf recipe can be made two ways, loaf style, or as mini meatloaves. You are going to love all of the Italian flavors in every bite! Even your picky eaters will be asking you for seconds!

Sliced meatloaf on a wooden cutting board.

Meatloaf has gotten a bad rap over the years and I have been determined to create the perfect meatloaf to prove this wrong!

This gluten free meatloaf recipe is juicy and full of delicious Italian flavors. It is delicious for dinner, and it is even better the next day! Serve it with mashed potatoes, or serve it as a burger on a bun. You can’t go wrong any way you eat this moist and tender meatloaf!

If you love Italian recipes, try this Gluten Free One Pot Italian Pasta too.

Why This Gluten Free Meatloaf Recipe Is Great:

  1. You can make this gluten free meatloaf with any ground meat!
  2. This recipe has flavor baked into every bite!
  3. Make this in a loaf pan for a big meatloaf, or bake this meatloaf as mini meatloaves in a muffin pan.
  4. For my ketchup lovers like Mr. Fearless Dining, bake this loaf with a ketchup glaze, or skip the glaze if you want to make this recipe sugar-free.

Ingredient Notes:

Photos of the meatloaf ingredients.
  • Ground Meat – I used ground beef. Feel free to use ground turkey, chicken, or pork.
  • Gluten Free Bread Crumbs – You can buy gluten free bread crumbs or panko or make homemade Gluten Free Bread Crumbs with this simple recipe.
  • Parmesan Cheese – I love adding some parmesan for added flavor and juiciness. You can also use a dairy-free parmesan cheese like the one by the VioLife brand.
  • Italian Seasonings – I used dried basil and oregano in this recipe.
  • Onion – I prefer to use sweet yellow onion.
  • Sun-Dried Tomatoes – I like sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil as they are softer. I added a tablespoon of the seasoned oil into the recipe, then diced the sun-dried tomatoes. Trader Joe’s has this, but I am sure other grocery stores will also carry this ingredient.
  • Egg – I add one large egg for added moisture. If you use ground turkey breast, consider adding two eggs.
  • Ketchup – I love adding a ketchup glaze to the top of my meatloaf. Check to be sure your ketchup is gluten free!

Don’t let the gluten free title scare you, this was the best meatloaf I’ve ever made!! Delicious!”

Poppy F., Pinterest

Recipe Step-By-Step Directions:

You will love how easy this recipe is. There is no need to pre-cook anything! Preheat your oven to 350º F and place the oven rack in the middle setting.

Photos of steps one and two making the turkey meatloaf.

Step 1: On a cutting board, dice your onion. Add the ground meat, gluten free bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, egg, sun-dried tomatoes, oil, seasonings, and the egg to a large mixing bowl.

Step 2: Use a fork to mix the ingredients together. This helps mix in the flavors into the meat so the flavor bakes in really well.

A meatloaf in a loaf pan ready to bake.

Step 3: Place the meatloaf mixture into a prepared loaf pan, or muffin pan. I used a spray of avocado oil to prevent sticking. If your loaf pan is non-stick, you will not need to do this.

Step 4: Spread the optional ketchup over the top of the meatloaf. Not only does this add even more flavor, but it helps keep the moisture in while the meatloaf is baking!

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8.5"x4.5" Cast Iron Loaf Pan

I recently bought this cast iron bread loaf pan, and it has made my bread bake much more evenly than my old metal pan. This cast iron pan is easy to clean.

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A baked meatloaf in a loaf pan.

Step 5: Bake the meatloaf for 30-40 minutes until it is done. The actual time will depend on the size of your loaf pan and the depth of the meatloaf.

You will know your meatloaf is done baking when it has an internal temperature of 160º F. (If you are using turkey or chicken you want the internal temperature to read 165º F on a digital meat thermometer.)

If you want a lower-fat version, you will love this Gluten Free Turkey Meatloaf or this Gluten Free Meatloaf With Oats recipe!!

To Make As Mini Meat Loaves:

Spread out the meatloaf meat in a muffin tin to bake.
I used mozzarella cheese and fresh basil in this version.

Spread the meat mixture out in a muffin tin to bake. Whip up this easy cream cheese mashed potatoes recipe, and you can put it on top of the meatloaves to look like your frosting.

These mini Italian gluten free meat loaves on a platter. Mashed potatoes are piled on top of the meatloaves so they look like cupcakes

I updated this post from an older May 2015 post, as you can see in the above photo. I had created this recipe in a muffin tin for an April Fool’s Day joke on my family. Nobody was fooled for long, but it was fun. Feel free to make this meatloaf as one large meatloaf or smaller muffins.

You may also love these Gluten Free Smothered Pork Chops.

Tips and Recipe FAQ:

Can you freeze this meatloaf?

You can easily freeze this meatloaf. I recommend freezing this meatloaf in slices because it is easier to thaw. To thaw, bake the whole meatloaf in the oven at 325º F for 20-25 minutes or for a slice 10 minutes. You can also thaw it quickly in the microwave oven.

How do you store this meatloaf?

Store the leftover meatloaf in an air-tight container.

How long will this meatloaf keep fresh?

This meatloaf will keep fresh for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 4 months in the freezer.

Can you make this meatloaf with vegan meat?

You can make this recipe with vegan meat, and I think Impossible meat tends to work best.

Sliced meatloaf on a serving plate.

Meatloaf Side Dishes:

Make it a full meal with one of these delicious side dish recipes!

Click here to see all of the dinner recipes on this blog.

Sliced meatloaf on a serving plate.

Gluten Free Meatloaf

Sandi Gaertner
This is an incredibly easy gluten free meatloaf recipe. It is delicious and even your picky eaters will love it!
5 from 18 votes
gluten free allergy icon
nut free allergen icon
soy free allergy icon
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 17 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Gluten Free Dinner Recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 493 kcal

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds ground beef * see note
  • ½ cup gluten free bread crumbs * see note
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • cup diced onion
  • 2 tablespoons chopped sun-dried tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil * see note
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
  • ½ cup ketchup optional

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350º F.
  • In a large bowl, add all of the meatloaf ingredients.
  • Mix well using a fork so the seasonings can really blend in.
  • Add the meatloaf mixture to a prepared loaf pan.
  • Optional, spread ketchup over the top of the meatloaf.
  • Bake for 30 minutes, or until the meatloaf has an internal temperature of 160º F for ground beef or 165º F for ground turkey or chicken.

Notes

  1. Feel free to use any ground meat or vegan meat in this simple Italian meatloaf recipe.
  2. You can use gluten free bread crumbs or panko.
  3. I used sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil. I used this olive oil in the recipe as well as the sun-dried tomatoes.
  4. This meatloaf will keep fresh for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Store it in an air-tight container.

SPECIAL NOTE

Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 493kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 30gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 2gCholesterol: 137mgSodium: 567mgPotassium: 577mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 252IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 105mgIron: 4mg
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Nutrition Disclaimer

Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.

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30 Comments

  1. I need both gluten free and dairy free. Can I just leave out the parm, or do I need to substitute a replacement?

  2. Can you substitute the green garlic with something else? Our grocery store didn’t have any so I’m assuming it’s out of season.

  3. 5 stars
    I think my picky eaters would love these meatloaf muffins. Give them food of unusual shape and they will be curious to try it.
    Looks easy to make and sounds delicious.

  4. 5 stars
    Okay, I LOVE this idea! Great way to spice up regular meat loaf 😀 My family is always requesting it, so this will be a VERY welcome change!

  5. 5 stars
    I absolutely love the idea of making gluten-free mini meatloaves in the muffin tins. I love the idea of using the green garlic in the loaves. I have garlic in my garden and I love adding the green garlic to recipes. My niece is so picky but I am making these for her and with the meatloaf being minis and styled like a cupcake- I think I can finally get her to eat something other than grilled cheese. The mashed potatoes as the “frosting” is a keeper.

    1. I would love to know how you use green garlic Eileen. I am experimenting more with it, I love the flavors.

  6. I adore these little “stacks”. I am a huge meatloaf fan, in any way, shape or from.