Going gluten-free can be straightforward. With some planning, you can make delicious and nourishing gluten-free meals easily using ingredients you likely already have on hand. Read on for 15 effortless gluten-free recipes you can make for dinner tonight!
1. Baked Chicken Breasts with Vegetables
This simple sheet pan dinner comes together in under 30 minutes. Boneless chicken breasts are seasoned with garlic, lemon, and herbs and roasted alongside potatoes, carrots, and broccoli. The result is a fuss-free, family-friendly meal that covers all the bases.
2. Tacos with Avocado Salsa
Who doesn’t love taco night? These easy tacos are made with corn tortillas and seasoned ground turkey or beef. Top them with a quick homemade salsa of avocado, tomato, onion, cilantro, and lime. Add your favorite taco toppings like lettuce, cheese, and sour cream for a fast, fresh gluten-free dinner.
3. Quinoa Tabbouleh
This healthy twist on tabbouleh uses quinoa instead of bulgur wheat. Toss together quinoa, chopped parsley, mint, tomatoes, onion, lemon juice, and olive oil. You can enjoy this light, refreshing gluten-free salad as a side or vegetarian main dish.
4. Baked Salmon with Asparagus
Salmon is a nutritional powerhouse and bakes up beautifully with minimal fuss. Place wild-caught salmon fillets atop a sheet pan with asparagus spears, lemon slices, and olive oil. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the salmon is flaky. Serve with your favorite gluten-free sides like rice or potatoes.
5. Veggie Stir Fry
A veggie stir fry is one of the quickest and healthiest meals around. Chop up your favorite veggies like broccoli, bell peppers, mushrooms, snap peas, and carrots. Heat oil in a large skillet or wok, add the veggies and your choice of sauce, like gluten-free soy sauce or teriyaki, and stir fry everything together. Serve over rice or quinoa.
6. Turkey Lettuce Wraps
Lettuce wraps make the perfect low-carb, gluten-free meal—Sauté ground turkey with onions, garlic, and Asian-inspired spices and sauces like ginger and hoisin. Spoon the filling into lettuce leaves for a fresh take on tacos.
7. Portobello Mushroom Pizzas
Portobello mushroom caps are the perfect gluten-free “crust” for individual pizzas. Top them with tomato sauce, cheese, and favorite toppings like pepperoni, spinach, or black olives. Bake until the mushrooms are tender and the cheese is bubbly for a fun and fast dinner.
8. Sheet Pan Fajitas
Fajitas are a crowd-pleasing dinner made easy with this sheet pan method. Arrange sliced bell peppers and onions on a baking sheet. Top with chicken thighs or steak seasoned with fajita seasoning. Bake to caramelize the veggies and cook the protein perfectly. Wrap it all in warmed corn tortillas.
9. Loaded Baked Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes make for a very satisfying gluten-free meal. Bake them in the oven until tender. Then split them with protein like black beans, salsa, avocado, cheese, Greek yogurt, or pulled chicken. Get creative with your favorite toppings!
10. Sheet Pan Chicken Parmesan
Chicken Parmesan typically involves breading and frying, but this version is much simpler. Bake chicken breasts on a sheet pan with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. Serve with a side salad or steamed broccoli for an easy gluten-free dinner.
11. Zucchini Lasagna
For a gluten-free twist on lasagna, use thin slices of zucchini instead of noodles—layer zucchini with tomato sauce, ricotta cheese, and meat sauce or cooked Italian sausage. Top with mozzarella and bake until bubbly for lasagna that’s lower carb but just as comforting.
12. Thai Coconut Curry
Thai curry makes for a fast, flavorful weeknight meal. Simmer light coconut milk with Thai red curry paste, chopped veggies, and protein like shrimp or chicken. Serve over rice noodles or cauliflower rice. The creamy coconut sauce is naturally gluten-free.
13. Veggie Frittata
A frittata has all the flavors of an omelet or quiche but couldn’t be easier to make. Whisk eggs together with your choice of vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or tomatoes. Pour into a skillet and cook over medium heat until set. Slice and enjoy this protein-packed gluten-free dish.
14. Cauliflower Pizza Crust
For pizza that’s gluten-free, use riced cauliflower as the base. Pulse raw cauliflower florets in a food processor until finely chopped. Then microwave to cook slightly, mix with eggs and cheese, and press into a pizza pan. Top and bake for a crispy, veggie-packed crust.
15. Burgers with Sweet Potato Buns
Swap traditional hamburger buns for sweet potato buns for a gluten-free cookout option. Shred a cooked sweet potato and mix it with an egg and almond flour to make the bun mixture. Shape it into patties and pan fry into buns to place your burger inside.
Conclusion
Eating gluten-free doesn’t mean sacrificing variety or flavor in your meals. With some creativity, preparing easy gluten-free dinners using ingredients you likely already have at home is simple. Items like meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, rice, potatoes, and corn tortillas make nutritious and delicious bases for weeknight meals.
Keep your kitchen stocked with gluten-free pantry staples like broths, oils, spices, and nut flours. Get in the habit of reading labels to identify gluten-free packaged foods. With these simple strategies, you’ll have endless options for making fast, family-friendly gluten-free dinners that don’t feel restrictive.
FAQs
1. What are some good protein sources for gluten-free dinners?
Great gluten-free protein options include meats like chicken, beef, pork, and turkey, fish like salmon and tuna, eggs, beans and lentils, nuts and seeds, and dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese.
2. What grains and starches can be eaten on a gluten-free diet?
Gluten-free grains include rice (white, brown, wild), quinoa, corn, buckwheat, millet, and certified gluten-free oats. Starchy vegetables like potatoes and sweet potatoes also make excellent gluten-free options.
3. What are simple substitutions for common gluten-containing foods?
Substitute corn tortillas for wheat tortillas, gluten-free oats for regular oats, rice noodles for wheat noodles, and lettuce wraps or sweet potato buns for traditional bread. There are also many gluten-free substitutes for pasta, bread crumbs, breaded foods, etc.
4. What are some flavor-boosting tips for gluten-free cooking?
Use bold herbs and spices generously in marinades, rubs, and sauces. Cook with stocks and broths. Include lots of fresh veggies and fruit. Finish dishes with a splash of citrus, a drizzle of olive oil, or a sprinkle of nuts or seeds.
5. What are good snacks and desserts for a gluten-free diet?
Great gluten-free snacks include fresh fruits, veggies, nuts, popcorn, dark chocolate, yogurt, and rice cakes. For dessert, choose naturally gluten-free items like fruit, sorbet, or dark chocolate, or make gluten-free cookies or bars with almond or coconut flour.
