Italian Meatball Bake (low FODMAP)

15 Minutes prep • 60 Minutes cook • Low FODMAP • Serves 6 • Ok to make-ahead: Steps 1 - 4

Italian meatballs, when made well, can be a delicious savory addition to your favorite pasta. They may have seemed out of reach on a low FODMAP diet, but no longer! This recipe takes advantage of herbs, spices, and simmer time to enhance flavors and deliver super delicious savory meatballs you can serve as a main course or side dish. They’re easy to make and sure to please.

Ingredients

1 pound ground pork

1 pound ground chicken

Spice mix for low FODMAP Italian Sausage Seasoning:

1 tablespoon fennel seed*

1 tablespoon dry thyme*

1 tablespoon dry basil*

1 tablespoon dry oregano*

1/2 - 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper*

2 teaspoons paprika*

1 teaspoon smoked paprika*

2 teaspoons Smoke n Sanity Essence of Garlic Salt* (use code IBSGC10 for 10% discount)

OR 1 teaspoon Kosher salt and 1 teaspoon Gourmend Garlic Scape Powder* (use code IBSGC15 for 15% discount)

1 slice real sourdough bread

2 eggs

1/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated

1 bunch green onions (green part only), chopped

12 ounces gluten-free pasta

2 15-ounce cans Del Monte tomato sauce* (or other low FODMAP tomato sauce)

2 bay leaves*

1 teaspoon dry basil*

1 teaspoon dry oregano*

1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

1/2 cup Havarti cheese, shredded

1/4 cup fresh oregano

Directions

(1) Preheat the oven: to 450 degrees F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan (or similarly sized baking dish) with olive oil and run the sourdough bread through your food processor to make bread crumbs.

(2) Prepare the marinara sauce: You can use our 30 Minute Pasta Sauce or make this simplified version. In a saucepan, combine the tomato sauce, bay leaf, basil, and oregano. Bring to a simmer and simmer for 20 - 30 minutes or until ready to use.

(3) Prepare the meat: In a bowl, combine the chicken and pork with the Italian Sausage seasoning. Add the bread crumbs, eggs, parmesan, green onions, and a pinch each of salt and pepper.

(4) Make the meatballs: Coat your hands with olive oil, then roll the meat into 2 tablespoon size balls, and place them into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes or until the meatballs are crisp on the outside, but not yet cooked through on the inside.

Make-ahead note: At this point, you can put the meatballs and sauce in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook and them.

(5) Cook the pasta: While the meatballs cook, you can prepare your favorite gluten-free pasta for serving.

(6) Finish: Remove from the oven and pour the marinara sauce over the meatballs. Cover the pan with foil and bake for 15 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through. Remove the foil, sprinkle the cheeses and oregano over the meatballs, and bake until the cheese is melted and golden for about 10 minutes.

(7) Plate and serve: Put a bed of pasta on each plate. Top with a few meatballs, some sauce, and some fresh oregano. If you want to add some fresh grated parmesan, you may do that too!

Eat and enjoy every bite because you can!

*This post may contain links for you to easily purchase items listed on the page. In some cases, we have provided a special discount code for IBS Game Changers so be sure to use it when you purchase an item to get the discount that has been arranged just for you! As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases. 

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