These gluten free meatballs filled with zucchini and ricotta are a delicious and satisfying meal for any hungry family.
I am always on the lookout for easy gluten free dinner ideas. When school is in session, our family barely gets 30 minutes to sit down together to enjoy a family meal. Thank goodness I have a few recipes that are so easy to make.
Are your school nights like this too?
This simple gluten free egg free meatball recipe also freezes really well.
(This post was sponsored by Ragu. I appreciate your supporting the brands that help make this blog possible. All opinions are my own.)
Tonight we are having my kids’ favorite meatballs. This is hands down the most popular meatball recipe I make. If you have read my blog, you know my family is NOT fond of zucchini…and yet, they love these meatballs. Check out two of their favorite meatball recipes, these Pressure Cooker Turkey BBQ Meatballs, and these Savory Ground Pork Meatballs!
I really think the secret is the ricotta cheese. Even better? This meatball recipe bakes up in your oven! Oven baked meatballs are so easy because you mix the ingredients, roll into meatballs, and bake. So easy!
Ricotta cheese makes the perfect binder in this meatball recipe. I was able to make these egg free too! (We don’t need to be egg free, but I felt it would make this a great option for many of my readers.)
Make a big batch and freeze some so you have them on hand for busy days. This is a huge time saver! Learning how to cook meatballs is so easy.
For our family’s meatballs and pasta dinner tonight, I am used Ragu Homestyle Roasted Garlic Sauce. The flavors in this sauce really blend with the flavors of the meatballs, making a hearty meal.
Meatball lovers unite! You can make big Italian meatballs like I did, or make smaller meatballs and enjoy these gluten free meatballs as an appetizer.
Can’t you just see these meatballs as an appetizer at your next party?
These meatballs are healthy, delicious, and this whole dinner is ready in under 30 minutes!
How to make gluten free meatballs:
This dinner is ready in just a few easy steps!
Add gluten free bread crumbs, ricotta, zucchini, and lean ground beef in a bowl.
Mix the ingredients. Form meatballs and put onto a greased baking sheet. Bake the Italian meatballs in your oven until they are cooked through.
Bake for 20 minutes. (If you made really big meatballs, it may take longer for them to bake.) You can even bake the meatballs in the sauce if you want the tomato flavors to bake in!)
(*Please note this post has affiliate links. Ordering through my site will not change the price you pay. A tiny commission will come to Fearless Dining to help offset the cost of running this blog. I truly appreciate the support.)
Things You Need To Make This Recipe:
- A food processor to shred the zucchini.
- A great nonstick baking pan so you don’t have to scrub a ton for cleanup.
Easy baked zucchini ricotta meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/4 cup gluten free bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup shredded zucchini
- 1 jar Ragu Homestyle Pasta Sauce
- 1 box gluten free pasta
-
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
-
Put the first 6 ingredients into a large bowl and mix well.
-
Shape meatballs and place onto a greased baking dish.
-
Bake meatballs for 20 minutes.
-
While the meatballs are baking, set a pot of water on the stove with high heat to boil.
-
Add your favorite gluten free pasta when the water is boiling. Cook the pasta to the box directions.
-
Heat the pasta sauce on low heat.
-
When pasta is cooked, toss in the pasta sauce.
-
Remove meatballs from the oven and place one to two on top of your pasta. Serve with more sauce if you like 🙂
More Yummy Gluten Free Dinner Recipes To Try!
-
- Bacon Wrapped Maple Cornish Game Hens
-
- Turkey and Hatch Chile White Chili Soup
-
- Tropical Pineapple Pepper Shrimp
-
- 5 Ingredient Crockpot Pot Roast
-
- Asian Marinaded Chicken Legs
Des @ Life's Ambrosia
Meatballs are always a hit around here, I love the idea of sneaking some zucchini into them!
Katerina @ diethood .com
Meatballs filled with zucchini and ricotta? Sounds amaaazing! I can’t wait to give these a try! 🙂
Sandi Gaertner
I hope you enjoy these Katerina 🙂
Maryanne | the little epicurean
Love the idea of adding zucchini to meatballs. Great way to amp the veggie intake!
Sandi Gaertner
Agreed 🙂
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet
These sound awesome and slipping that zucchini into the meatballs is genius!
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you Kimberly 🙂
Megan Marlowe
I will absolutely be making this! It looks fabulous, Sandi!
Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen
Love the addition of zucchini in these meatballs. Looks like perfect comfort food!
Cathy | Lemon Tree Dwelling
I love this healthier, veggie packed dish! It looks amazing!
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you Cathy 🙂
Donna
Do these lovelies absolutely ‘need’ the gluten-free breadcrumbs for proper binding?…Or could one use psyllium husk flakes or crushed buckwheat crackers if trying to avoid grains? Thanks so much for any insight! (I also use 100% buckwheat (or sarrasin) pasta as well. This offering looks spectacular AND spectacularly fast after a harried day!
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Donna, I imagine they wouldn’t need any breadcrumbs because of the ricotta cheese being a bit “sticky.” If you try with psyllium husk, or without the breadcrumbs, can you please write back so other readers know? It would be so helpful to everyone. Thank you so much for your note 🙂 Sandi P.S. I haven’t seen buckwheat pasta. What brand are you using?
Melanie | Melanie Makes
What a great use for an abundance of summer zucchini!
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you Melanie 🙂
eddie taylor
Got too try this,can I freeze them after cooking,many thanks.
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Eddie, I have not personally frozen these meatballs, but I am sure you can. Would you please come back and comment back if you try it? I know other readers will benefit from your feedback. Thank you so much.