Elementor #9104


Quick & Easy Bite-Size Chicken Piccata ~ Gluten-Free

This easy Chicken Piccata dish has quickly become our family's favorite! The delicious creamy lemon and caper sauce will have your family coming back for seconds…and thirds! Enjoy 🙂

  • Large Non-Stick Skillet
  • Medium Mixing Bowl
  • Small Mixing Bowl
  • 1 1/2 lbs. Chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces (I buy Chicken Tenderloins or already cut-up Chicken Breast Pieces to make things go quickly.)
  • Salt & Pepper
  • 1/2 Cup Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour, sifted (I use Krustaez – less expensive and not grainy)
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 Cup Salted Butter (Divided into 2 Tbsp + 2 Tbsp + 4 Tbsp)
  • 2 Tbsp Light Olive Oil, divided (I use Light Olive Oil, so it doesn't interfere with the Lemon & Capers)
  • 1/2 Cup Reduced Sodium Chicken Broth (Room temperature or heated for 30 seconds in the microwave)
  • 2 Tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice (This usually takes 1-2 Lemons, depending on how juicy they are)
  • 1 Zest of Lemon
  • 2-3 Tbsp Capers, with brine drained
  • 1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream
  • 2-3 Pinches Chopped Parsley (optional)
  1. Gather all of your ingredients.

  2. Rinse and trim Chicken; pat dry with some paper towels and cut into bite-size pieces and put them into a medium-large mixing bowl; season with Salt & Pepper.

  3. In a small mixing bowl, sift the GF flour with the Garlic Powder, mixing well.

  4. Sprinkle the Flour mixture over the Chicken pieces and toss gently to thoroughly coat the Chicken.

  5. In a large non-stick skillet, heat 2 Tbsp of the butter and 1 Tbsp Olive oil over medium-low heat.

  6. *At this point, begin cooking your GF Pasta or Rice, according to the instructions on the box.

  7. Once the Butter and Oil are hot (when the butter is completely melted and there is a slight sheen on the surface of the oil), add half of the Chicken pieces and cook for about 5-6 minutes, while stirring occasionally to brown on all sides (do not cook the Chicken all the way through at this stage, because you will be adding the Chicken back to the skillet later). Remove the Chicken pieces from the skillet and set aside; repeat the process with the other half of the Chicken (melt 2 Tbsp Butter and 1 Tbsp Oil, etc.).

  8. Reduce the temperature to Low and add the remaining 4 Tbsp Butter, Chicken Broth, Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest and Capers to the skillet; stir until ingredients are mixed and butter is completely melted.

  9. Add the Heavy Cream, while whisking to thoroughly blend. Increase the temperature to Medium-Low and bring to a low boil; continue cooking until sauce begins to thicken (about 5 minutes).

  10. Lower the temperature to Low and add the Chicken pieces back into the skillet, stirring well to completely coat the Chicken; continue cooking for about 5 Minutes. Sprinkle with a couple of pinches of Parsley (if using) and stir. Note: if the sauce is thicker than you like, add a little more Chicken Broth until you reach the desired thickness.

  11. Serve over your choice of Gluten-Free Pasta (I usually serve it over GF Capellini Pasta by Jovial) or Rice and a fresh salad or steamed veggies.

  12. Enjoy 🙂

If you want to use whole Chicken Tenderloins, just prepare them using the same steps above, coating them thoroughly with the flour mixture and then cooking for about 3 minutes per side; remove from pan and set aside until the Lemon-Caper Sauce is finished cooking; then add the Chicken back to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes to cook completely.

Dinner
American, Italian
Gluten Free
Baked Chicken, capers, chicken piccata, creamy, diet lemon-lime soda, Dinner, gluten-free, Gluten-Free Pasta





Honey & Garlic Pork Tenderloins

Honey & Garlic Pork Tenderloins

It’s not very often that I come across a recipe that I don’t have to make ANY changes to in order to make it Gluten-Free and allergy-friendly for my family, but this recipe needed ZERO changes!!! Plus, it was quick and easy to make AND everyone loved it 🙂 This yummy recipe is for two (2) Pork Tenderloins, making it perfect for a large group and/or leftovers.
I owe a HUGE “Thank You” to Ashley Fehr @thereciperebel.com for sharing this wonderful recipe 🙂

The Tenderloins:

  • 2 Pork Tenderloins (approximately 2-2 1/2lbs total) (rinsed & trimmed of most fat (leave a little for flavor))
  • 1-2 Tbsp Olive Oil (or Canola Oil (I used Light Olive Oil))
  • 1 tsp Seasoning Salt (I used “Castle” brand Seasoning Salt, but any brand will do)

The Honey-Garlic Sauce:

  • 2/3 Cup Honey
  • 1/4 Cup Chicken Broth (Regular or low sodium – I used “Orrington Farms” Chicken Broth Base & Seasoning because I know it’s Gluten-Free (purchased from Walmart))
  • 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce (Regular or low sodium – I used Tamara for GF)
  • 2 Tbsp Minced Garlic (I used the already minced from a jar for ease and speed)
  • 1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1/4 tsp Salt (omit if you’re on a low sodium diet)
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp Corn Starch
  • 1-2 pinches Red Pepper Flakes
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Lightly spray a 9″ x 13″ baking dish with cooking spray; set aside.
  3. Rinse both Tenderloins with cold water and pat dry with paper towels; trim majority of fat and place both tenderloins into the prepared baking dish; set aside.
  4. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together all of the Honey-Garlic sauce ingredients until all of the corn starch is dissolved – I used boiling water to make the Chicken Broth and this helps dissolve the corn starch.
  5. Carefully pour the sauce around the pork tenderloins – try not to pour the sauce on top of the tenderloins, as it will prevent them from browning.
  6. Bake in the preheated oven, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes (until pork temperature reaches 140 degrees F).
  7. Remove and lightly cover with foil to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
  8. Drizzle sauce over the pork slices before serving.
  9. Serve with your favorite sides and ENJOY 🙂
Dinner, Main Dish
American




Best Ground Chicken Chili Recipe ~ Gluten Free

Best Ground Chicken Chili Recipe ~ Gluten Free

This recipe is SO yummy, simple and quick to make! It’s also very versatile – you can use ground chicken, turkey, pork or beef or a combination of any ground meats to satisfy your taste buds. Plus, add beans/legumes, corn, potatoes, etc. I hope you enjoy this Chili recipe as much as we do! 🙂

  • 2 lbs Ground Chicken (or any ground meat you desire)
  • 1/2 large Vidalia Onion (finely diced)
  • 3-4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 15 oz, cans Tomato Sauce (plain (spice mix recipe below) )
  • 1 15 oz. can Diced Tomatoes
  • 5-6 Tbsp Tomato Paste
  • 2 Tbsp Granulated Sugar (I use Dixie Crystals Extra Fine Granulated Sugar*)
  • 2 Cups Chicken Broth
  • 1 15.25 oz. can Corn (Yellow or White) (drained)

Chili Spice Mixture:

  • 4 Tbsp Chili Powder (or more, if desired (add 1 Tbsp at a time))
  • 2-3 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 2-3 tsp Ground Cumin
  • 1 tsp Paprika
  • 1/2 tsp Salt (table)
  • 1/4 tsp Ground Black Pepper

Toppings:

  • Chopped Green Onions
  • Chopped Vidalia Onions
  • Sour Cream
  • Shredded Hard Cheese (Monterey Jack or Cheddar are our favorites)
  1. Using a large pot, combine the ground Chicken (or other ground meat), Onions and Garlic and heat over medium until the meat is thoroughly cooked (about 8-10 minutes).
  2. Next, add the Tomato Sauce, Diced Tomatoes and Tomato Paste and stir until thoroughly combined.
  3. Add the Broth, Sugar, Chili Spice Mixture and Corn (add canned Beans now, if using) to the pot, stirring until well mixed.
  4. Bring to a low boil, then reduce temperature to Low and simmer for about 15 minutes to bring out the flavors.
  5. Serve with your favorite toppings and Enjoy! 🙂
Dinner, Lunch, Main Dish




Easy Creamy Broccoli & Cheddar Soup ~ Gluten Free

This quick & easy recipe reminds me of my favorite Broccoli-Cheddar Soup from Panera Bread, but without the Gluten 🙂 It’s so fresh and flavorful that I can’t stop at just one bowl! I owe a HUGE “Thank You” to Holly Nilsson @ spendwithpennies.com for sharing the original version of this yummy soup!! I made a few adjustments in order to make it Gluten-Free and allergy-friendly for my family.

Easy Creamy Broccoli & Cheddar Soup ~ Gluten Free

  • 1 Tbsp Butter (unsalted)
  • 1 Small Onion (Chopped)
  • 1/2 Cup Carrots (Diced)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Garlic (minced)
  • 1 Large Head Broccoli (Chopped (about 3 Cups))
  • 2 Cups Chicken Broth (Low Sodium or Regular)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dried Thyme
  • Salt & Pepper (to taste)
  • 2 Tbsp All-Purpose Gluten Free Flour (I use Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 GF Flour)
  • 3/4 Cup Whole Milk
  • 3/4 Cup Skim Milk
  • 1 Cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese (Shredded)
  1. In a large saucepan, melt the Butter over medium-low heat. Once Butter is melted, add the Onions, Carrots and Garlic; cook until the Onions are translucent and soft (about 3-5 minutes).
  2. Add the Broccoli, Chicken Broth and Seasonings to the Onion mixture and cook over low heat until the Broccoli has softened ~ about 15 minutes.
  3. Next, using either an Immersion Blender, Regular Blender or Food Processor, thoroughly blend the cooked Vegetable/Broth mixture; set aside in the large saucepan over Low heat.
  4. Meanwhile, in a small/medium bowl, combine the GF Flour blend and Milks using a whisk to thoroughly blend; Add this mixture to the Vegetable/Broth mixture in the large saucepan.
  5. Increase the temperature to Medium/Medium-Low and bring to a boil, while whisking continuously; once the mixture has thickened (about 5 minutes), remove from heat and add the Shredded Cheddar.
  6. Serve with your favorite GF Bread and Enjoy!
Appetizers, Dinner, Hors d’Oeuvres, Lunch, Main Dish, Snacks, Soup
American




Creamy Lemon Chicken over Gluten-Free Pasta

Creamy Lemon Chicken over Gluten-Free Pasta

This recipe has quickly become one of our favorites! It’s so quick and easy to make, but tastes like you’ve been in the kitchen for hours 😉 Serve with a fresh garden salad and you’re good to go!
As usual, I found this recipe in The Pioneer Woman’s collection and made a few simple changes to make it Gluten-Free and allergy-friendly for my family.

  • 1/2 Cup All-Purpose Gluten Free Flour (I use Bob’s Red Mill GF 1-to-1 Baking Flour)
  • 2-3 Tbsp Olive Oil (I use the lighter Olive Oil, so it doesn’t interfere with the flavors)
  • 1-1 1/2 lbs Chicken Tender (you can really use any cut of chicken, but I usually prefer Chicken Tenders for ease and convenience)
  • 1 1/2 tsp Garlic, minced (I use the already minced garlic in a jar)
  • 1/4 Cup Low Sodium Chicken Broth (You can also use Vegetable Broth)
  • 3/4 Cup Heavy Cream (or Half & Half)
  • 1/2 Cup Parmesan Cheese, grated (Fresh is much better here)
  • 1 Large Lemon (Zest & Juice)
  • Salt & Pepper (to taste)
  • 3 Large Handfuls (Baby Spinach (optional))
  • Basil or Parsley (for garnish)
  • 12 oz. box Gluten Free Pasta (You can use any type of GF Pasta of your choice, but I have found that GF Spaghetti, Fettuccine or Capellini work best)
  1. Place the flour in a shallow dish and season with salt & pepper, if desired. Set aside.
  2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat until the oil begins to shimmer on the surface.
  3. Meanwhile, dredge the Chicken Tenders through the flour to fully coat and shake off excess flour.
  4. Carefully place the floured Chicken Tenders into the hot oil and cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until thoroughly cooked; remove the chicken and place on a plate.
  5. While the Chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of water to boil and cook the GF Pasta according to directions; drain and set aside.
  6. Once all of the Chicken has cooked and been removed from the pan, lower the temperature to Simmer/Low and add the Minced Garlic; cook for about 1 minute.
  7. Carefully add the Chicken Broth and stir well.
  8. Next, add the Cream, Parmesan Cheese, Lemon Zest and Juice stirring well to combine all of the ingredients; add salt & pepper to taste; simmer until the sauce begins to thicken (about 2-3 minutes).
  9. Return the Chicken Tenders to the pan and cover completely with the sauce; add the Spinach, if desired, and cook for about 1 minute (or until the Spinach is wilted).
  10. Serve over your choice of GF Pasta and garnish with Basil or Parsley, if desired.
Dinner, Main Dish
American




Pasta Primavera in a Lemon-Butter Sauce ~ Gluten Free

Pasta Primavera in a Lemon-Butter Sauce ~ Gluten Free

What better way to celebrate Spring than making “Pasta Primavera,” a healthy Spring Vegetable & Pasta dish…after all, “primavera” means ‘spring style’ in Italian 😉 I love this easy and very versatile recipe….I use as many veggies that I can find in my refrigerator before they go bad. Asparagus, squash, broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, zucchini, onions, snow peas…the possibilities are endless! And, the light lemony-butter sauce makes this recipe irresistible 🙂
*The original version of this recipe came from evolvingtable.com – thank you SO much for sharing! I have adjusted the original recipe in order to make it gluten-free and allergy-friendly for my family.

The Pasta:

  • 4 Cups Gluten-Free Pasta, dry (any style is fine)

The Vegetables:

  • 1 lb Asparagus (trim ends and cut into 2″ pieces)
  • 1 large Yellow Squash (quartered lengthwise & cut into bite-size pieces)
  • 1 large Zucchini (quartered lengthwise & cut into bite-size pieces)
  • 2 large Bell Peppers, any color (cut into bite-size pieces)
  • 1 large Vidalia Onion (cut into bite-size pieces)
  • 2-3 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1/2-1 tsp Kosher Salt
  • 1/4-1/2 tsp Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 tsp Dried Oregano
  • 1/2 tsp Dried Thyme
  • 1/2 tsp Dried Marjoram
  • 1/2 tsp Dried Basil

The Lemon-Butter Sauce:

  • 4 Tbsp Butter, salted ((1/2 stick))
  • 1 Large Lemon (Zest and juice)
  • 1 1/2 tsp Garlic, minced (I use the already-minced Garlic in a jar)
  • 1/2 Cup Water (reserved from the pasta water)
  • 1 Tbsp Dried Basil (or 1/4 Cup fresh, chopped)
  • 1/2-3/4 Cup Parmesan, grated (fresh is best)
  • 1/2-1 tsp Salt (to taste)

The Pasta:

  1. In a large pot, cook the pasta according to the package instructions for al dente; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water for the sauce before draining the rest of the water; set the pasta aside in a colander & keep the large pot available for cooking the sauce, etc.

The Vegetables:

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  2. Line a large baking sheet with foil and lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray; set aside.
  3. While the Pasta is cooking, cut up all of the vegetables into bite-size pieces and place them into a large bowl. *This step can be done ahead of time, if desired (just keep veggies refrigerated until ready to use).
  4. Add the Olive Oil and spices to the vegetables in the bowl and toss to thoroughly coat; spread the veggies evenly onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes or until veggies are tender.

The Lemon-Butter Sauce:

  1. Using the same pot that you used to cook the pasta, add the butter, lemon zest, lemon juice and garlic; cook over medium-low heat until the butter is completely melted and the garlic becomes fragrant (about 2 minutes).
  2. Add the cooked Pasta, the reserved Pasta Water and the roasted vegetables to the Lemon-Butter mixture, tossing until thoroughly coated.
  3. Next, add the Basil, 1/2 cup Parmesan and Salt (to taste); toss to combine.
  4. Serve with freshly-grated Parmesan and fresh chopped Basil, if desired.
  5. Oh, so yummy! Enjoy 🙂
Dinner, Lunch, Main Dish
American, Italian




Creamy Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Bacon ~ Gluten Free

Creamy Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Bacon ~ Gluten Free

Oh my! This dish is delish 😉 The tangy sun-dried tomatoes are a perfect accent for the savory chicken and bacon in this recipe! And, the creamy sauce has a tiny bit of a punch with the addition of red pepper flakes. This dish received a “Double Yum” in our house 🙂
A BIG “Thank You” to “juliasalbum.com” for sharing the original version of this recipe ~ I have tweaked the ingredients a tiny bit to make it Gluten-Free and Allergy-friendly for our family

The Chicken:

  • 3-4 large Chicken Breasts (quartered)
  • 1/2 tsp Paprika
  • 2-3 Pinches Salt
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil (you can use the oil from the jar of sun-dried tomatoes, if desired)
  • 2 tsp Garlic, minced (I use the already-minced Garlic in a jar)
  • 3/4 – 1 Cup Sun-Dried Tomatoes (packed in oil, drained (reserve the oil if using in place of the Olive Oil))

The Cream Sauce:

  • 1 Cup Half & Half (or Heavy Cream for a thicker sauce)
  • 1 Cup Whole Milk (you can also use 2%, 1% or Skim for a lighter version)
  • 1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
  • 1 heaping tsp Dried Basil (or 1 Tbsp Fresh, chopped)
  • 1/4-1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
  • Salt (to taste)
  • Ground Black Pepper (to taste)
  • 8-10 Strips bacon (cooked and crumbled)
  1. Cook Bacon until crisp, drain and set aside.
  2. Cut each Chicken Breast into quarters, sprinkle with the Salt and Paprika; set aside.
  3. In a large non-stick sauce pan, heat the 2 Tbsp. of Olive Oil (or the oil reserved from the Sun-Dried Tomatoes) over Medium heat.
  4. Once the oil is hot (the surface should be shimmering), add the Garlic and Sun-dried Tomatoes and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until you start to smell the Garlic; using a slotted spoon, remove the Garlic and Sun-dried Tomatoes from the pan, leaving the oil behind, and set aside.
  5. Add the Chicken to the pan with the leftover oil, adding more oil if needed; cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side (until the chicken is a light golden brown).
  6. Remove the pan from the heat & cover; the chicken will continue to cook (about 5 minutes).
  7. Once the Chicken is no longer pink inside, remove it from the skillet and set aside; drain any juices leftover in the pan.
  8. Return the pan to the cooktop, add the Half & Half (or Heavy Cream, if using) and cook over Medium heat until it comes to a boil;
  9. Add the 1 cup of Shredded Mozzarella cheese, reduce temperature to Low, and stir until cheese has completely melted.
  10. Slowly add the 1 Cup of Whole Milk and whisk continually until mixture is smooth.
  11. Add the sauteed Sun-dried Tomatoes and Garlic to the cream sauce, mixing well;
  12. Next, add the Basil, Red Pepper Flakes and Salt; mix thoroughly.
  13. Lastly, add the cooked Chicken breasts and 1/2 of the crumbled cooked Bacon (reserving the other 1/2 for serving); heat until chicken is warm.
  14. Top with the remaining 1/2 of the Bacon and serve over rice, pasta or plain with your favorite veggies 🙂
Dinner, Main Dish




Quick & Easy Orange Chicken ~ Ground (Gluten Free)

Quick & Easy Orange Chicken ~ Ground (Gluten Free)

Wow! Full of flavor and SO quick & easy to prepare makes this dish an instant winner in our house!!! Serve over rice and with your favorite veggies 🙂
*Thank You to dinnerthendessert.com for sharing the original version of this recipe ~ I have made several adjustments to the ingredients in order to make it Gluten-Free and Allergy-friendly for my family 😉

The Chicken:

  • 3 lbs Ground Chicken
  • 1 Tbsp Canola Oil
  • 1 1/2 tsp Ground Ginger (or 2-3 Tbsp Fresh Ginger Root, minced)
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp Garlic, minced (I use the already-minced Garlic in a jar)
  • 1/2 – 3/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes

The Orange Sauce:

  • 1/2 Cup Water
  • 2 tsp Canola Oil
  • 1/4 Cup Braggs Liquid Aminos (or GF Soy Sauce (low sodium or regular))
  • 1/2 – 3/4 Cup Granulated Sugar
  • 3-5 Tbsp White Vinegar (I use 3 Tbsp since my family does not like a strong vinegar taste)
  • 2 Medium Oranges, Zest (Squeeze some of the fresh orange juice over the dish before serving, if you want that extra orange punch)

The Slurry (Thickener):

  • 3 Tbsp Warm Water
  • 3 Tbsp Gluten Free Cornstarch

The Chicken:

  1. In a large non-stick saucepan, cook the Ground Chicken over Medium-Low heat (cook on Medium, if you want a crust to form) until done.
  2. When the Chicken is almost finished cooking, add the Ginger, Garlic and Red Pepper Flakes; cook for about 1 minute.

The Sauce:

  1. While the Chicken is cooking, mix the Sauce ingredients together in a medium-sized bowl until thoroughly blended.

Putting it Together:

  1. Once the Chicken is finished cooking, reduce the temperature to Low and pour the Orange Sauce over the Chicken; bring to a low boil.

The Slurry:

  1. While the Chicken and Sauce are simmering, stir the Cornstarch into the warm Water in a small bowl until completely dissolved.
  2. Pour this Cornstarch Slurry into the Orange-Chicken mixture and stir until combined and sauce begins to thicken.
    *If you prefer a thinner sauce, add more warm water or the fresh-squeezed orange juice at this point.
  3. If you want to add any veggies (Broccoli, Asparagus, Snow Peas, etc.), do so now and cover the pot with a lid to lightly cook the veggies for about 3-5 minutes.
  4. Serve over rice and enjoy 🙂
Dinner, Lunch, Main Dish
American, Asian




Quick & Easy Lemon-Garlic Salmon ~ Yum!

Quick & Easy Lemon-Garlic Salmon ~ Yum!

As many of you already know, Salmon is one of my family’s most-requested meals…so, I am always looking for new Salmon recipes to try. And, this one is a winner! It’s not only delicious and nutritious, but it’s SO quick and easy to prepare. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do 🙂
A huge “Thank You” to wellplated.com for posting the original version of this wonderful recipe. Please note: I have made substitutions and changes to the original recipe to suit my family.

  • 1 2-2.5 lbs Salmon Fillets w/ Skin (I purchase a whole fillet and bake it in tact)
  • 4 Tbsp Salted Butter, softened ((1/2 stick))
  • 1 Large Lemon (Zest & Juice)
  • 2-3 Heaping Teaspoons Garlic, minced (I use the already minced Garlic in a jar)
  • 2 tsp Dried Parsley
  • 1-2 large pinches Black Pepper
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
  3. Rinse the Salmon in cold water, pat dry with paper towels and place in the center of the prepared baking sheet, skin side down; set aside.
  4. In a small bowl, mash together the Softened Butter, Lemon Zest, Garlic, Parsley, Pepper and Salt until well-combined.
  5. Using a butter knife, rubber spatula or your fingers, spread the Butter paste over the Salmon Fillets; Note: I usually end up using my fingers to spread the Butter mixture ~ the warmth of your skin helps spread the butter more easily.
  6. Next, squeeze the Lemon Juice evenly over the Salmon Fillets and sprinkle with extra salt and pepper, if desired.
  7. Bake in pre-heated oven on the center rack for 15-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets. The fillets will flake apart easily with a fork when done and should measure 145 degrees.
  8. Serve with wedges of fresh lemon and sprinkle with extra Parsley. Enjoy!
Dinner, Main Dish




Turkey & Pork Meatball-Pasta Casserole ~ Gluten Free

Turkey & Pork Meatball-Pasta Casserole ~ Gluten Free

If you’re looking for a REALLY yummy meal that will not only fill your family’s stomachs, but will have them coming back for more, then you have found the perfect recipe! My family loves Italian food, so this one was right up our alley 🙂 I always double this recipe, so I can serve one immediately and freeze the other one for those busier nights. To save on time, you can use a GF Pasta Sauce instead of making the sauce from scratch. Also, most grocery stores sell already-made meatballs (or frozen) in their meat section, but I highly recommend making your own using ground Turkey and Italian sausage…it really adds a wonderful flavor!
As usual, a BIG “Thank You” to The Pioneer Woman for sharing the original version of this recipe – I made a few changes to make it GF and allergy-friendly for my family 😉

Homemade Sauce:

  • 1 Tbsp olive oil (I use the Light variety)
  • 1 1/2 tsp minced garlic (I use the already minced Garlic in a jar)
  • 1 Medium Onion, chopped (I use Vidalia, but any variety is fine)
  • 2 15 oz. cans Tomato Sauce (30 total ounces; I use the plain variety (no spices))
  • 1 12 oz. can Tomato Puree
  • 1 Tbsp Dried Parsley
  • 1 Tbsp Dried Basil
  • 2 Tbsp Granulated Sugar
  • 1/2 tsp Salt (optional)
  • 1/4 tsp Ground Black Pepper
  • 1/2 Cup Whole Milk, room temperature (1% and 2% are also fine)

Homemade Meatballs:

  • 1 lb. Ground Turkey
  • 1 lb. Ground Pork (I use the mild version)
  • 1/4 Cup GF Whole Oats
  • 1/4 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 1 Tbsp Dried Parsley
  • 1/2 tsp Dried Oregano
  • 1 Tbsp Milk (Whole, 1% or 2%)
  • 1 Large Egg (lightly beaten)
  • 1 pinch Salt (optional)
  • 1-2 pinches Ground Black Pepper
  • 1-2 Tbsp Light Olive Oil

The Layers:

  • 1 12 oz. Box Gluten Free Pasta Shells (I highly recommend “Jovial” brand – I have tried just about all of the GF Pastas out there and this one comes the closest to tasting like the “real” thing!)
  • 1 16 oz (1 lb) Fresh Mozzarella Cheese, sliced (You can also use the “Pearls” )
  • 1/2 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

Making the Homemade Sauce:

  1. In a large saucepan/pot, heat 1-2 Tbsp. Olive Oil over Medium/Low heat until it shimmers on the surface.
  2. Once the oil is hot, add the Garlic and Onion and cook for about 2-3 minutes, or until the Onion is transparent.
  3. Lower the temperature to Low and add the Tomato Sauce, Tomato Puree, Parsley, Basil, Sugar, Salt and Pepper; stir until fully blended; add the Milk and stir to incorporate.
  4. Cover and let simmer while you cook the Meatballs and Pasta.

Making the Meatballs:

  1. In a large bowl, mix the Ground Turkey, Ground Sausage, Oats, Parmesan Cheese, Parsley, Oregano, Salt and Pepper until thoroughly blended.
  2. Next, add the Milk and Egg and mix well using either your hands or two forks.
  3. Using a 1″ or 2″ scooper, scoop and form meatballs and place on a cookie sheet or large plate; you should end up with about 24 – 2″ meatballs or 48 – 1″ meatballs.
  4. Using a large non-stick skillet, heat the Olive Oil over Medium/Low to Medium heat until the surface shimmers.
  5. Once the oil is heated, add 6-8 meatballs (leave enough working room in the skillet to flip/turn the meatballs) and brown on each side (about 3-4 minutes per side). Transfer the browned meatballs to a clean dish/plate, while you cook the remaining meatballs.

The Pasta:

  1. While you are cooking the meatballs, bring a large pot of water to a boil; cook the Pasta according to the package instructions for al dente; drain and set aside.

Putting it All Together:

  1. While you’re layering the casserole, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Spray a 9″ x 13″ Baking Dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  3. Ladle a thin layer of sauce onto the bottom of the baking dish and spread out evenly to cover the bottom.
  4. Next, add half of the meatballs.
  5. Then, add half of the Pasta onto and around the meatballs.
  6. Next, layer with half of the Mozzarella Slices (or “Pearls”).
  7. Repeat these layers with the remaining ingredients: Sauce, Meatballs, Pasta, Mozzarella.
  8. Sprinkle the top evenly with the 1/2 cup of Parmesan Cheese.
  9. Bake on a cookie sheet (to prevent spills in the oven) for about 30 minutes or until cheese is golden and bubbly.
  10. Allow to cool for about 10-15 minutes before serving.
  11. Yummy!!! Serve with a fresh green salad and Enjoy! 🙂
Dinner, Lunch, Main Dish
Italian