Gluten-Free Meatballs (Without Breadcrumbs)

Name: Gluten-Free Meatballs (Without Breadcrumbs)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 lb lean ground beef; 2-3 garlic cloves (pressed); 1 large egg; 1 small onion (grated or finely minced); 2 tablespoons milk; ¼ cup grated parmesan; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt; ½ teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 (24oz) jar spaghetti sauce

Meatballs happen to be a staple recipe in our house, and these gluten-free meatballs are our new favorite version. We were making regular meatballs for dinner quickly the other night and realized we were out of breadcrumbs. After adding some additional parmesan cheese and milk, we baked them off and served them over spaghetti with tomato sauce. Everyone loved them and said they didn’t even know the breadcrumbs were missing.

Now we’ve shared the recipe with other friends and family as a gluten-free meatball option that’s so quick to make in about 30 minutes. We love to meal prep them in a big batch (similar our make ahead meatballs) for a crowd or for eating throughout the week. Be sure to also try our bacon chicken meatballs and meatballs and gravy, you won’t be disappointed.

A large spoon is scooping meatballs without breadcrumbs in tomato sauce in a large pot.

Why you’ll love this recipe

8-ingredient meatball recipe. We oftentimes find meatball recipes that have so many ingredients. We keep it simple here using pantry staples.
Perfect make ahead dish for meal prep. When Sunday rolls around and we know we are about to have a busy week, we’ll make a double or triple batch of these meatballs. They store well in the fridge or freezer and are delicious for lunch or dinner.
Easy to serve in so many ways. Add them to a jarred sauce and over your favorite pasta. Spoon them between a sub roll for a great sandwich. Even use them as protein on top of a chopped salad, the options are endless!

Tips for Busy Cooks

Be sure to buy lean ground beef for this gluten-free meatball recipe. This is key because we add ingredients like egg, parmesan cheese, grated onion, and milk to add moisture to the meat mixture to guarantee the baked meatballs will be soft and tender every time.

Key Ingredient Notes

Lean ground beef – The base of the meatballs, we like to use lean here so the beef mixture binds well with maximum flavor.
Garlic cloves add the garlicky flavor we all love.
Large egg binds all of the ingredients together.
Small onion – Key to meatballs for that rich flavor, we grate the onion so that it melts in your mouth.
Milk – Another ingredient that adds moisture to the ground beef mixture. You’ll just need a splash for these meatballs.
Grated parmesan adds that salty and cheesy flavor that’s required for a good meatball.
Fresh parsley gives that fresh herb flavor.
Italian seasoning – Made with dried oregano, basil, marjoram, and thyme, this seasoning adds so much goodness to every bite.
Spaghetti sauce – Use your favorite marinara sauce here to make it easy!

How to make gluten-free meatballs

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

A glass bowl with the ingredients for gluten-free meatballs.

Step 1: Mix beef, garlic, egg, onion, milk, parmesan, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.

A hand with a glove is mixing the ground beef meatball mixture.

Step 2: Mix the beef mixture until well combined.

A hand is using a cookie scoop to make the meatballs the same size on a baking sheet.

Step 3: Using a medium cookie scoop, shape the meatballs and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet. (You’ll get about two dozen 1.5-inch meatballs.)

If desired, roll the meatballs between your palms to smooth out the surface.

Step 4: Bake the meatballs for 10 minutes. (They don’t need to be cooked through).

Tongs are adding gluten-free meatballs to warm tomato sauce.

Step 5: In a large skillet, add spaghetti sauce and warm it up over medium heat.

Add the partially cooked meatballs (pan juices and all) into the sauce. And simmer for another 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

A close up image of a meatball without breadcrumbs in tomato sauce on top of pasta.

Step 6: Serve over pasta, or as a sandwich in a bread roll.

Expert Tips:

Make the meatballs the same size. We use a cookie scoop to help with this, but it’s very important to keep the meatballs a similar size so they cook at the same rate.
Don’t cook the beef meatballs all the way through in the oven if you are adding them to warm sauce. It’s ok if they are pink inside because they will continue cooking in the sauce on the stovetop. This helps keep them be moist and not too dry.
Grate the onion on the large holes of a box grater. This is a key meatball tip in our opinion because it adds additional moisture to the meat mixture and also helps the onion melt into the meatball for a tender bite.
Buy lean ground beef. Since these are meatballs without breadcrumbs we are adding lots of moisture here with milk, onion, egg, and parmesan cheese. It’s best to buy the lean version so that the other ingredients are mixed in seamless for the ideal texture every time.

Storage and Make-Ahead

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in a skillet on the stove or in the microwave for a few minutes until warmed through.

You can freeze the meatballs either in the sauce or separately. Just be sure to cool to room temperature before freezing. It’s best to freeze these meatballs with no breadcrumbs in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw them in the fridge overnight before heating through with the sauce in a skillet or without the sauce on a baking sheet in the oven.

What to serve with meatballs without breadcrumbs

There are so many options to pair with these meatballs with no breadcrumbs. Some of our favorites include:

FAQs

What can you use instead of breadcrumbs in meatballs?

We love to use a mixture of egg, milk, and parmesan cheese to keep the beef mixture moist and flavorful.

Are meatballs better without breadcrumbs?

We like them both ways, as long as you have enough ingredients that add moisture to the beef mixture, your baked meatballs with be both flavorful and juicy.

What can I use to bind meatballs without breadcrumbs?

We use egg and parmesan cheese mainly to help the meat mixture roll and bake easily.