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Home Recipes Meal Recipes

Easy Gluten Free Pasta Sauce

Published: Jan 17, 2019 · Modified: Apr 7, 2021 by Sandi Gaertner · 18 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links

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A Pinterest pin image of the pasta sauce over penne pasta noodles.

Serve up this savory gluten free pasta sauce with your favorite pasta. Your whole family will love this simple pasta with meat sauce recipe.

a big bowl filled with ziti with gluten free pasta sauce
Jump to:
  • What is the best gluten free pasta brand?
  • How to season spaghetti sauce?
  • How to make gluten free pasta sauce:
  • How to cook gluten free pasta the right way:
  • Tips and Recipe FAQ:
  • More Delicious Gluten Free Pasta Recipes:
  • 📖 Recipe
  • Fearless Dining
  • 💬 Comments

When my son is in yet another growth spurt, and he loves meat. All types of meat, and he is not picky. I am not judging, but sometimes it can be startling! He is now way taller than me :-).

When he asked me if I could make pasta this week, I wanted it to have a lot of protein. This family-favorite sauce has lean ground beef, but it also has medium-spice chicken sausage and bacon. The optional bacon gives this sauce a slightly smokey flavor, making it hard to resist.

You will love how easy it is to cook spaghetti with ground beef! We used gluten free ziti noodles in this post, but this sauce works beautifully with spaghetti or even macaroni!

Full of flavor and three different types of meat, the flavor depth of this sauce will please even your pickiest eater! This gluten free spaghetti sauce is sure to please!

If you are looking for dinner ideas, you will want to check out all of my gluten free dinner recipes. Dip these crusty gluten free breadsticks in! They are perfect for dipping!

What is the best gluten free pasta brand?

Oh gosh, this is a tough question. There are so many good gluten free pasta brands out there. Some of our favorites are:

  • Trader Joe's fresh gluten free pasta
  • Barilla
  • Ronzoni
  • BioNatura
  • Jovial

How to season spaghetti sauce?

Ground beef seasoning for spaghetti sauce is easy. I like to use fresh herbs, and I even have a basil plant now growing in my kitchen window, so I can snip off leaves anytime. I use:

  • Basil
  • Garlic
  • Oregano
  • Crushed red peppers
  • Salt and pepper

This meat sauce recipe with ground beef will be a big hit in your house!

How to make gluten free pasta sauce:

pasta sauce photos 1 and 3

Step 1: In a pot, add the minced garlic brown ground beef, and sausage. Also, add bacon and red peppers if you choose to use those optional ingredients. Cook on medium heat until browned.

Step 2: Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, basil, oregano, and salt. Add ground black pepper to taste. I prefer to use fresh herbs, but you can use dried herbs if you prefer.

Step 3: Cover the sauce and simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes.

cooking pasta photos steps 4 and 5

Step 4: Bring water to a boil in a large pot. Cook according to package directions. Every brand of gluten free pasta has a different cooking time, so use the cooking time listed on the package of your pasta.

Step 5: Drain the pasta into a colander. Follow the steps below to give an ice bath to stop cooking. Top with the pasta sauce!

Make these Gluten Free Garlic Knots dip into the sauce!

How to cook gluten free pasta the right way:

The biggest challenge with gluten free pasta is how to cook gluten free pasta without it turning to mush. I had the good fortune to interview a chef at an Italian restaurant here, and she gave me the secret. An ice bath. The ice bath halts the cooking so that it doesn't continue to cook in the colander.

Read directions on how to do a pasta ice bath and all of the story. This method is a GAME CHANGER for cooking gluten free pasta. (There is also a delicious marinara sauce recipe to check out!)

Serve the sauce over the pasta. You can use gluten free spaghetti, ziti, rigatoni, bow tie, or any shape of gluten free pasta!

a pot full of pasta meat sauce

Tips and Recipe FAQ:

Is there gluten in tomato paste?

I have never seen any gluten in tomato paste, but checking ingredient labels is always a good idea. Brands sometimes change their recipes, so good to double-check!

What is the best ground meat for spaghetti sauce?

I personally love to use organic grass-fed ground beef in this spaghetti sauce recipe. Ground turkey works well, as does bison or ground pork. Some ground meats are fattier than others, which will change this gluten-free pasta sauce in consistency and flavor.

You may consider adding olive oil to add mouthfeel if you use lean ground meat like ground turkey or chicken.

How long will this pasta sauce keep fresh?

This sauce will keep up to 4 days in the refrigerator or up to 4 months in the freezer.

Can you freeze gluten free pasta sauce?

Yes, you can easily freeze pasta sauce! I like to freeze it in an ice cube tray, then put the frozen sauce cubes into a freezer-safe zipper bag.

You will want to make a batch of my Gluten Free Breadsticks to dip in!

More Delicious Gluten Free Pasta Recipes:

  • Gluten Free Ricotta Stuffed Meatballs and Sauce
  • Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken and Pasta
  • Creamy Ricotta Garlic Fettuccine Alfredo
  • Gluten Free One Pot Italian Pasta
  • Homemade Gluten Free Ravioli

📖 Recipe

a big bowl filled with ziti with gluten free pasta sauce

The Best Gluten Free Pasta Sauce Recipe

Sandi Gaertner
A kid-friendly, high protein gluten free pasta sauce. This homemade pasta sauce with meat recipe is a popular dinner recipe in our house.
4.95 from 19 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Meal Recipes
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 319 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 1 bell pepper chopped
  • ½ pound lean ground beef
  • 3-4 medium spice chicken sausage chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 cans tomato sauce
  • 1 can plain unsalted diced tomatoes
  • 1 small can tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red peppers
  • 1 teaspoon basil
  • ½ teaspoon oregano

Optional Ingredients:

  • 3 slices bacon cooked and patted with paper towel to remove extra grease. Chop
  • ⅓ cup red bell pepper chopped

Instructions
 

  • In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the diced onion and orange pepper.
  • Drain the fat into the trash or a jar so it doesn't clog kitchen pipes. (Or, if you have a dog, I am sure they would love it if you put this in their food:-).
  • When ground beef is browned, add sausage, cooked bacon, and minced garlic.
  • Cook 5 minutes.
  • Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and paste.
  • Mix well.
  • Add spices.
  • Turn heat down to low, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

Notes

  1. Don't forget to check out my tips to cook the perfect gluten free al dente pasta! 
  2. This pasta sauce will keep up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
  3. I like to freeze some of the sauce so I always have it on-hand. Freeze in an ice cube tray and then store in freezer zip bags. They will keep in the freezer for 4 months.

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: 1gCalories: 319kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 26gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 91mgSodium: 1535mgPotassium: 568mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1685IUVitamin C: 67mgCalcium: 55mgIron: 3mg
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @FearlessDining or tag #FearlessDining!

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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(*this post was updated from a 2/2015 recipe.)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Jere Cassidy

    January 17, 2019 at 7:56 pm

    5 stars
    I like the water bath idea for gluten-free pasta. Also Jovial products are my favorite.

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      January 18, 2019 at 8:49 am

      I love Jovial's fettuccine noodles!

      Reply
      • Barb McClung

        April 17, 2023 at 10:12 am

        What size cans of tomato sauce? 8 oz.? The ice water bath is something I always used even before I was diagnosed with Celiac. It works like a charm! I also use that method for hard boiled eggs and boiled potatoes that I'm using for potato salad. Thank you for your blog, Sandi! It's been invaluable to me as I navigate this new lifestyle!

      • Sandi Gaertner

        April 18, 2023 at 9:24 am

        Hi Barb, my cans are 15 ounces. I am so glad you are enjoying my blog, thank you so much!

  2. Veena Azmanov

    January 17, 2019 at 7:56 pm

    5 stars
    My kids are lovers of Pasta in any form. Definitely a must try this weekend. They to relish this dish.

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      January 18, 2019 at 8:46 am

      Kids and pasta just seem to go together :-). Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply
  3. Kelly Anthony

    January 17, 2019 at 6:37 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you for the tips on gluten free pasta. The ice bath is genius. This looks like the perfect meal that everyone in the family will fall in love with!

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      January 18, 2019 at 8:45 am

      I am so thankful the chef told me about ice baths!!

      Reply
  4. Sharon

    January 17, 2019 at 5:23 pm

    5 stars
    I can't wait to try out these gluten-free pasta recipes. I also didn't know there were so many different brands.

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      January 18, 2019 at 8:45 am

      I hope you enjoy them Sharon 🙂

      Reply
  5. Erica Schwarz

    January 17, 2019 at 5:13 pm

    5 stars
    I just tried gluten-free pasta for the first time, and it was chickpea pasta! It tasted very similar to whole wheat pasta and was well-received by my family. Texture was a touch different - love you suggestion of the ice bath. Will give that a try.

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      January 18, 2019 at 8:45 am

      Wow, I am glad you liked chickpea pasta...we made it once but our kids wouldn't touch it 🙁

      Reply
  6. Linda (Meal Planning Maven)

    February 28, 2015 at 1:45 pm

    What a fun and flavorful dish Sandi! A must-try for me very soon!

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      March 02, 2015 at 8:31 am

      I hope you enjoy it Linda 🙂

      Reply
  7. Dan from Platter Talk

    February 27, 2015 at 8:16 pm

    Hard to resist? More like impossible to resist! It's nearly midnight as I am viewing this beautiful dish and all I want is ONE plate of it!! Lovely job, once again!

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      February 27, 2015 at 8:41 pm

      Wow, thank you Dan 🙂

      Reply
  8. Hady

    February 27, 2015 at 9:00 am

    That is what we are having Sunday. Thans
    ks.

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      February 27, 2015 at 4:52 pm

      I hope you enjoy it Hady 🙂

      Reply

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Welcome to my blog! I am so glad you are here. If you have Celiac Disease, are gluten intolerant, or have a wheat allergy, you've come to the right place. With years of extensive experience in recipe development, I am dedicated to assisting you on your gluten free journey. As a seasoned gluten free cookbook author and recipe developer, I specialize in creating easy, family-friendly recipes that rival their gluten-filled counterparts. Rest assured, my recipes undergo rigorous testing and refinement, ensuring foolproof results every time.

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