5 Gluten Free Dinner Recipes That Satisfy Everyone at the Table
Gluten free meals make a wonderful dinner option, from weeknight-easy weekday dinners to celebration-worthy celebration dinners. Simply be aware of ingredients containing gluten, such as sauces and canned food products; use gluten replacements like arrowroot flour and xanthan gum when possible to ensure everyone at the table enjoys an enjoyable dining experience.
Grilled salmon with fruit salsa makes a tasty gluten-free lunch, complete with gut-nourishing kefir dip for added satiation.
Tamale Pie
Tamale Pie is a hearty casserole of saucy ground beef, bell peppers, onions and tomatoes combined with a slightly sweet cornbread-esque topping for an easy weeknight dinner option that’s sure to please a crowd! Perfect for feeding an army!
This recipe originated in Texas sometime during the 1900s and quickly gained traction during times of food shortages like World War II. There are many variations with chicken, mushrooms and black beans being among those ingredients commonly included. No wonder its popularity lasted so long; this delicious and versatile dinner can easily be tailored to suit individual preferences or what you have available on hand.
It’s an ideal weeknight meal that packs all the flavors of traditional tamales like taco seasoning and enchilada sauce, baked together with shredded cheese for a tortilla-like crust. Additionally, we used gluten free corn muffin mix for this version so anyone with dietary restrictions can still enjoy eating this dish.
Tamale Pie can be made ahead and frozen to keep on hand for busy nights, lasting for up to three months in the freezer and reheating beautifully in the oven. Make sure that it has fully defrosted before placing it back into a preheated oven for 20 minutes until hot and bubbly!
If you want to make this Tamale Pie vegan-friendly, simply replace the ground beef with equal ground vegetable protein and use dairy-free shredded cheese on top. Alternatively, if desired, the cornbread batter could use flax egg (2 tablespoons ground flax meal mixed with 6 tablespoons warm water) as an egg replacement instead.
If you want a less rich tamale pie, simply omit the ground beef and cut back on the amount of enchilada sauce by half to lower both fat content and calories. Enjoy this meal topped off with sour cream or avocado for extra flavor and nutrition! This Tamale Pie version also makes use of non-dairy milk and eliminates butter from cornbread batter for an entirely dairy-free version!
Sloppy Joe Casserole
Sloppy Joes are a family classic that make an irresistibly delicious meal when assembled into this casserole. Instead of using bread for this comforting dish, this casserole uses pasta, ground beef sauce and cheese shredded as ingredients for an easy yet delectable feast that keeps well in the refrigerator.
To keep this recipe gluten-free, be sure that all packaged ingredients and Worcestershire sauce are labeled accordingly. Additionally, to spice things up and create new flavors you could also include frozen peas or chopped bell peppers and cook until tender before adding a teaspoon or so of chili powder, ancho chili powder, or any melting cheese such as Tex-Mex or Monterey Jack as an optional extra touch.
This dish is quick and easy enough for weeknight preparation while remaining impressive enough for guests. Make it even more impressive by serving it alongside a large green salad and some crunchy celery sticks; additionally, this casserole can easily be doubled or tripled when hosting larger gatherings.
Baked casseroles are one of the easiest ways to create an satisfying dinner without much work, such as this gluten-free sloppy joe casserole that takes just minutes to put together and will last in your refrigerator up to three days!
Cook the pasta slightly longer than is instructed on the package to achieve al dente texture; this will prevent it from turning mushy when reheated later on. Also, for optimal flavor and meltability use freshly grated cheese; pre-shredded varieties often contain anti-caking agents that alter its texture negatively.
Baked Sloppy Joe Casserole is an easy and healthy weeknight dinner option that can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator until serving time. Perfect for busy families searching for quick dinner solutions! Leftovers can easily be re-heated either in the oven or microwave until warm and bubbly again – or frozen up to two months for later enjoyment!
Taco Casserole
This weeknight-easy casserole features all the fixings of taco night–crunchy corn chips, refried beans, ground beef, and melty cheese! Perfect for potluck dinners or family meals alike! Plus it can easily be frozen for later! To add an extra hearty meal you could also include veggies like kale or mushrooms into the refried beans; serve this taco casserole alongside all your usual condiments like green onions, guacamole salsa and shredded lettuce as toppings!
This gluten free dinner takes full advantage of natural ingredients’ flavors and textures for maximum enjoyment. Instead of the classic sour cream sauce, this recipe uses light yogurt sauce which adds great flavor while being even simpler to digest. Pair this meal with chicken, pork tenderloin or shrimp as main protein options or simply use as a vegetarian entree option!
For an alternative take, use ground dark meat turkey or plant-based protein instead of ground beef to lighten it up and switch up your vegetable and legume choices to provide more filling meals. You could even switch up Rotel diced tomatoes and chiles or add chopped jalapenos for an added spicier bite!
Gluten-free dishes make an elegant meal option for weeknight dinners or special celebrations alike, from weeknight dinners to celebrations of any sort. Watch for naturally gluten-free items such as roasted peppers and garlic as well as fresh herbs and citrus fruits; and always read labels on bottled or boxed products such as rice pilaf or couscous to ensure it meets this requirement.
Some condiments, like barbecue sauce and marinades, may contain gluten. But you can easily create gluten-free versions of these dishes yourself at home! Check out these homemade gluten-free BBQ sauces, rubs and salad dressings to add homemade flair to your meals and try adding curry powder or paprika for unexpected flavors – try adding one pinch to a taco casserole to create something different altogether.
Baked Mac & Cheese
Mac and cheese has long been one of the cornerstones of childhood cuisine, making it an easy dinner choice for gluten-free eaters. Our take on this comfort food boasts Southern flare and is served over tender gluten free macaroni noodles. A creamy cheese sauce soaks into every crevice of each pasta piece while buttery panko bread crumb topping bakes golden-brown perfection; making for a deliciously easy gluten free dinner recipe!
Make this quick and easy oven baked mac and cheese by following package directions, boiling the pasta according to package specifications, draining, then mixing with your finished cheese sauce in a large bowl. Grease a baking dish before pouring half of your mac and cheese mixture in; scatter with your shredded cheeses then cover it all up with more pasta and cheese and bake until bubbly around the edges and golden-brown spots appear in spots on your topping.
For an exciting twist in this gluten free dinner recipe, experiment with any variety of your favorite shredded cheese. While traditional cheddar is always great, why not experiment with smoked gouda, Gruyere or pepper jack for something with more punch? For milder taste options consider mild colby or muenster as alternatives?
This delicious cheese-topped pasta casserole is ready for immediate consumption or can serve as an ideal side dish to accompany many main courses ranging from summer salads and sandwiches to grilled steak and chicken dishes.
At breakfast time, this recipe can even be enjoyed when served over toast and with poached eggs and homemade hollandaise drizzled on top. Or try pairing it with Healthy Eggs Benedict! No matter which way you decide to enjoy this versatile and easy gluten free dinner recipe. Just be sure to thaw overnight before baking as instructed!
Written by Samantha Greene, a gluten-free home cook with over 10 years of experience creating allergy-friendly recipes the whole family can enjoy.
