GRANDMA’S GLUTEN-FREE SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS
on Jan 26, 2022, Updated Mar 04, 2025
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Tender meatballs are simmered low and slow in a rich, tomato sauce and served over al dente gluten-free pasta for the ultimate comfort food meal.
What’s your go-to comfort food on a rainy, cold day? Mine is probably spaghetti and meatballs, particularly Grandma’s Gluten-Free Spaghetti and Meatballs.
This recipe is from my grandmother-in-law Joan and I’m honored that she allowed me to share it with all of you.
The key to a traditional, “grandma-style” sauce is to allow it to simmer low and slow for several hours. This helps the sauce develop a rich flavor that is without a doubt better than anything you’ll ever get out of a jar of store bought sauce.
As for the meatballs, you won’t find many surprises here! Beef, onions, garlic, spices, and an egg are used to keep the meatballs intact.
Instead of using flour or breadcrumbs, I swapped in gluten-free quick oats. You won’t even know they are there, but the meatballs will hold their shape much better with this binding ingredient.
So whether it’s pouring outside or not, I’d suggest making this cozy, comforting meal for you and your family and friends.
It’s a great recipe to entertain with because most of the prep is hands-off, meaning you can spend time with your loved ones and let the food do its thing. Thank you Joan for sharing it with all of us… Enjoy!
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Key Ingredients for Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Spaghetti and Meatballs
The perfect Sunday activity is making a big batch of meatballs. Here’s what you’ll need to make this familiar, classic dish!
- Tomato Sauce: You’ll need one large can of tomatoes to get the sauce going.
- Tomato Juice: This adds additional tomato flavor and additional liquid. As the sauce simmers, this will thicken up.
- Onion and Garlic: Would it be a traditional tomato sauce without these two ingredients?! You’ll also need them to flavor the beef.
- Nutritional Yeast: Rich in B12, vitamins, and minerals, nutritional yeast adds cheesiness without dairy. You can omit it completely if you don’t have it or swap in parmesan cheese if you aren’t dairy-free.
- Spices: Dried oregano is used in the sauce to give it an authentic flavor while Italian seasoning is added to the meatballs. Of course, these ingredients are interchangeable if you only have one of them on hand. Bay leaves add a slightly herbal flavor as the sauce simmers. Just remember to remove before serving!
- Ground Beef: I look for organic, grass-fed, grass-finished beef whenever possible.
- Egg: This helps bind the meat. I haven’t tried making the meatballs without the egg or using an egg substitute.
Pin this recipe for later!
Pin It- Gluten-free Quick Oats: This is the perfect flour substitute! It holds the meatballs together without drying them out. I haven’t tried using a gluten-free flour such as almond flour, but it should work the same.
- Pasta: Use your favorite type! My favorites are @jovialfoods and @pasta_rummo spaghetti!
Step by Step Instructions for Gluten-Free Meatballs
Let’s kick this recipe off with the spaghetti sauce.
Add the tomato sauce, water, tomato juice, diced onion, garlic, nutritional yeast, dried oregano, coconut sugar, salt, pepper, and bay leaves to a large stockpot or dutch oven and bring to a soft boil.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer with the lid off, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 4 hours.
Once your sauce is simmering, you can start making the meatballs.
To a large mixing bowl, add the ground beef, egg, onion, garlic, tomato paste, nutritional yeast, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and oats.
Gently mix until well combined. Over-mixing will result in tougher meat, so try to avoid overworking the mixture.
Divide meatball mixture into 8 portions and roll into balls. Gently lower the meatballs into the simmering sauce one at a time.
Allow the meatballs to simmer in the sauce for 2 to 3 minutes before stirring gently.
Cook the meatballs in the sauce for the 3 to 4 hours, occasionally giving them a gentle stir.
Serve over prepared spaghetti pasta and enjoy!
More Classic Pasta Dishes:
- Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Homemade Hamburger Helper
- Spicy Firecracker Glass Noodles and Meatballs
- Dairy-Free Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo
- Sage and Sausage Pumpkin Pasta
GRANDMA’S GLUTEN-FREE SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS
Ingredients
Spaghetti Sauce:
- (1) 28-ounce can tomato sauce
- 14 ounces water
- (1) 32-ounce can tomato juice
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 1 ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 2 bay leaves
Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 egg
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ cup gluten-free quick oats
Instructions
For the Spaghetti Sauce:
- Add all of the sauce ingredients (tomato sauce, water, tomato juice, diced onion, garlic, nutritional yeast, dried oregano, coconut sugar, salt, pepper, and bay leaves) to a large stockpot or dutch oven and bring to a soft boil.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 4 hours.
For the Meatballs:
- Once your sauce is simmering, immediately begin making the meatballs.
- To a large mixing bowl, add the ground beef, egg, onion, garlic, tomato paste, nutritional yeast, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and oats. Gently mix until well combined.
- Divide meatball mixture into 8 portions and roll into balls.
- Gently lower the meatballs into simmering sauce one at a time.
- Allow the meatballs to simmer in the sauce for 2 to 3 minutes before stirring gently.
- Cook the meatballs in the sauce for the remaining 3 to 4 hours, occasionally giving them a gentle stir.
- Serve over prepared spaghetti pasta and enjoy!
An instant “NEW” family fave!!! The sauce tasted so authentic and every bite was flavorful and delicious ! the meatballs were also incredible and we all appreciated the gluten-free, dairy free recipe. overall, we loved it and wouldn’t change a thing (*except I would double both the sauce and meatballs next time). This will be the new “go to” for family dinner.
That makes me so happy to hear, Kim! Thank you so much for sharing!
These were fantastic. So many times meatballs are dry. These were so moist and tender and flavorful. My whole family loved them!