Italian Zucchini Noodles with Beef Meatballs
Tender basil-parsley beef meatballs nestle into silky zucchini noodles, with garlic and onion bringing classic Italian flavor without a heavy sauce.
Fits Celiac, AIP, Hashimoto's and 15 more diets
Plan your dinnersGluten checks every recipe for everyone at your table. Free.
Ingredients
- 450 g lean ground beef
- 4 zucchini, spiralized into noodles
- ½ cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup water
- ¼ tsp fine salt
Method
- Mix beef with half the herbs; shape small, tender meatballs.
- Warm oil in a skillet; soften onion until translucent.5 min timer
- Add meatballs and brown gently, turning until browned all over.8 min timer
- Pour in water, cover, and simmer until meatballs are cooked through.10 min timer
- Set aside the kids' share; wilt zucchini noodles in the skillet.3 min timerKids’ plate comes out here
- Return meatballs, add remaining herbs, and toss until noodles soften.1 min timer
Kids’ plate: Beef Meatballs and Zucchini Noodles
On the plate: Small meatballs and soft zucchini noodles from the skillet, with herbs kept mild.
Make it a game: Make a little noodle nest around each meatball. The noodles can be twirled or picked up, whichever feels fun.
Set it aside at step 5, before the grown-ups’ sauce or spice goes on.
Why it works
- Hashimoto's thyroiditis: Beef, zucchini, herbs and olive oil; no soy, seaweed or gluten-containing grains.
- Gluten-free: The meatballs use plain beef and herbs, with no bread or sauces.
- Anti-inflammatory: Beef, zucchini, fresh herbs and olive oil make up this simple skillet meal.
- Low-histamine: Freshly cooked beef, zucchini, onion and herbs; no aged, fermented or cured ingredients.
- Kid (4–12): Mild beef meatballs and soft zucchini noodles, with no spicy seasoning.
- Toddler (1–3): Soft zucchini noodles and small, tender meatballs make an easy-to-pick-up plate.
Celiac check: watch for hidden gluten in soy sauce, stock, malt vinegar and seasoning blends, and oats that aren’t certified. Gluten gives food ideas, not medical advice: always check labels for allergens and cross-contact.
Cooking for more than one diet?
Add everyone you cook for, with their allergies, diets and ages. Gluten checks this recipe for each of them and tells you what to change for anyone who can’t eat it as written. It’s free to start.
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This recipe also fits: AIP recipes, Hashimoto's recipes, PCOS recipes, Anti-inflammatory recipes, Low-histamine recipes, Pregnancy recipes, Toddlers recipes, Dairy-free recipes, Diabetes recipes, High blood pressure recipes, Heart health recipes, Gluten-free recipes, Crohn’s and colitis recipes, High cholesterol recipes, Keto recipes, Low-GI recipes, Paleo recipes, Kid-friendly recipes, One pan recipes, Quick recipes, Gluten-free dairy-free recipes, Gluten-free Italian recipes.