Don't let the rustic presentation of my gluten free Creole spaghetti and meatballs fool you for a second, y'all! Inside each meatball lies a flavor-popping Cajun trinity, Creole mustard and ranch dressing surprise that separates this baked skillet dish from all others....Tied together by an easy homemade red gravy that starts on the stove and finishes in the oven, this Creole meatballs with spaghetti brings gluten free home cooked comfort food to brand spanking new food love levels. Yep and yay...
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Oh Gluten Free Creole Spaghetti and Meatballs, You Make Me Feel All Warm and Cozy Inside...Yep.
I created my Paleo Creole meatballs years and years ago now. They're a staple around our house. And, we usually enjoy them over mashed potatoes with a veggie side, instead of in the typical Italian-inspired spaghetti dish.
And, up until last month or so, I was perfectly happy with this arrangement. I've always felt like my Creole meatballs were the star of the show. So, I didn't want to literally ruin my image of them by actually using them as an ingredient in a pasta meal.
Well, all of that changed several weeks ago. Straight out of the blue one day, Mark and my's brother and sister in Christ invited us out for dinner. We were touched, as we hadn't seen them in a while. Our sister in Christ is a celiac. So, she's the perfect person for me to food fellowship with across a 'gluten free zone' table. Yep.
We decided we'd go to an Italian restaurant in town with a handful of available gluten free options. After looking over the menu, she asked if I would be in on splitting her two favorite GF dishes with her. Of course, I said yes immediately. With, of course, my mouth watering at the thought of getting to enjoy not one but two 'I didn't have to make them but I get to eat them' dinner treats!
Well, after we ordered it was her husband's turn to make his dinner request. And when he ordered spaghetti and meatballs I was at first quite taken aback. He said he just loved them. And he craved the plate of trusty deliciousness that he just knew was going to be good.
As soon as the words were out of his mouth, I totally got what he was saying. And, I could feel the deep, deep love and appreciation for the simple yet sophisticated dish take root in my own heart, too.
I thoroughly enjoyed my two half-restaurant dishes. And in-between bites, I caught a few glances of my brother in Christ's face as he ate his humble but beautiful bowl of traditional spaghetti and meatballs. And as the days turned into weeks, I kept remembering how happy and peaceful he looked twirling his spaghetti around his fork. And then jabbing the fork through a juicy meatball piece from time to time.
That night, the rest of us talked, talked, talked in-between bites. But, our brother in Christ mostly sat there in contented silence as he ate his no fuss, no frills bowl of sketti. So, ever since that night, I've wondered how my own Creole meatballs would taste if I actually cooked them down in red gravy and served them with gluten free spaghetti.
So, for last night's Sunday dinner I finally created this gluten free Creole spaghetti and meatballs. I did it to silence the craving that took root during that now long-ago night in the restaurant. And I did it to inject my usual south Louisiana sassified flair into the end of our relaxing weekend. Which in my opinion ALWAYS goes by too quickly. And always, always should end on a high note like with this GF Creole meatballs and spaghetti.
How to Make Gluten Free Creole Spaghetti and Meatballs to Shake Things Up South Louisiana Style in Your Own House
To begin the gluten free Creole spaghetti and meatballs, first liquefy all of the ingredients that make up the amazing binder for the Creole meatballs. Then, massage into the meat, and freeze for a bit to firm it up. Finally, form and bake the meatballs.
Meanwhile in a cast iron skillet on the stove, season the tomato sauce with garlic, parsley, basil, onion powder and SP&C:
Stir, and then cook down the red gravy while the meatballs are baking the oven:
You'll also want to boil your favorite gluten free spaghetti noodles while the sauce and the meatballs are cooking. Once the meatballs are done, let them drain a bit to release excess oil. Then, place them gently into the red gravy, and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
Then, just stir the boiled gluten free pasta into the meatballs and gravy. Oh, and top with a bit of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. And that is it, my friends!
Yes, it does indeed look like an ordinary skillet of spaghetti and sauce with meatballs. But, trust me, once you take the first bite of red gravy you know that this is something a little south Louisiana special.
Then, you bite into your first meatball. And the flavor pop fireworks go off in your mouth one by one. And then they collectively form a taste and texture explosion that's only made possible by the perfect intermingling of the Cajun trinity veggies, Creole mustard and ranch dressing.
By the time you've finished your first plate of these gluten free Creole spaghetti and meatballs, you'll wonder how you ever, ever lived without that extra bit of TLC that this recipe brings to your oh sooo tasty dinner table.
Share with those whose face you want to see light up with wonder, surprise and soul-fulfilling, food love contentment. And see y'all on the yum side...
Gluten Free Creole Spaghetti and Meatballs
Ingredients
For the Gluten Free Spaghetti
- 10 ounces gluten free spaghetti
For the Creole Meatballs
For the Creole Red Gravy
- 1 15-ounce gluten free tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon parsley flakes
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil the gluten free spaghetti according to the package directions, and set aside.
- Prepare the Paleo Creole meatballs, and bake in the oven according to the directions while you make the Creole red gravy. (See notes below) Set aside until ready to use.
- Add the additional ingredients called for in the Creole Red Gravy section above to the ingredients called for in the Paleo Creole Meatballs sauce. These additions make enough sauce for the pasta and meatballs. Add additional basil to taste.
- Bake the doubled sauce and the pre-baked meatballs for an additional 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat, and stir the boiled gluten free spaghetti into the skillet.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Angie Jerrell says
Soooo yummy! Thank you for all the details and pics! This turned out perfect - I only made
little changes to suit my family's taste. (Finely chopped sweet Vidalia onions and fresh yellow cuban
bell peppers diced and put in at the last 3 minutes) So good - Thanks
Lyn Corinne Liner says
You're very welcome Angie! Thanks so much for stopping by to let me know how it turned out for you! 🙂