A Go-To Dinner for Picky Eaters: Gluten-Free Turkey Meatballs with Simple Marinara 🍝

If you’ve got picky eaters at home (we definitely do!), you know the dinner struggle is real. One day they love something, the next day it’s “gross,” even if it’s the exact same meal. That’s why I always keep a batch of these Gluten-Free Turkey Meatballs on hand—they’re flavorful, moist, and totally kid-approved. Plus, they’re packed with hidden goodness thanks to fresh herbs, protein-rich turkey, and just enough cheesy flavor to win over even the most skeptical little food critics.

And here’s the best part? These freeze beautifully. I make a double batch on the weekend, pop half in the freezer, and boom—stress-free dinners during the week. They’re perfect over gluten-free pasta (like cassava flour noodles), zoodles, or even tucked into a lunchbox with a little marinara for dipping.

🍅 Easy Homemade Marinara Sauce (That Kids Actually Eat)

You can totally use your favorite jarred sauce, but if you’ve got 15 minutes, this super easy marinara is a total win. It’s fresh, flavorful, and skips all the added sugar you’ll often find in store-bought versions.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• 1/2 tsp onion powder

• Salt to taste

• Optional: pinch of coconut sugar or a shredded carrot for natural sweetness

Instructions:

1. Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.

2. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute—don’t let it burn!).

3. Pour in crushed tomatoes and stir in oregano, onion powder, and a pinch of salt.

4. Let it simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. If your kids prefer a smoother texture, blend it up with an immersion blender.

Boom. Fresh, tasty sauce with zero weird stuff.

🦃 Gluten-Free Turkey Meatballs (Kid-Approved!)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey

• 1/3 cup gluten-free breadcrumbs

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (or dairy-free alternative)

• 1 egg

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1/4 small onion, finely diced

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil

• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Sauté garlic and onion in olive oil until soft and fragrant. Let cool slightly.

2. In a bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, herbs, egg, sautéed garlic/onion, salt, and pepper. Mix just until combined.

3. Form into 1.5-inch balls.

4. In a skillet over medium heat, add a splash of oil and cook meatballs for 10–12 minutes, turning until browned and cooked through (165°F internal temp).
   OR: Bake at 400°F for 15–20 minutes.

🍽 How to Serve (and Actually Get Kids to Eat It)

We love these meatballs over cassava pasta with a big spoonful of that marinara. For extra veggies, I’ll sneak in some grated zucchini or spinach into the sauce while it simmers—bonus points if the kids don’t notice 😏.

Other ideas:

• Slice and serve them in a gluten-free sub roll with marinara.

• Toss over zucchini noodles if your kids are into the spiralized veggie trend.

• Add to lunchboxes with toothpicks and a dipping cup of marinara—so fun!

So if you’re looking for an easy win with your crew this week, give these meatballs a go. They’re quick, freezer-friendly, and best of all? No dinner complaints (well…fewer anyway 😉).

Let me know if you try it—and if you manage to sneak in any veggies without getting caught, we need to hear about it.