What’s your easiest gluten-free dinner? For someone like myself, who has to make both gluten-free meals and regular meals, finding the one meal that will suit everyone’s needs can be challenging.
I would have to say that my easiest dinner is deli night. I lay out some gluten-free bread, condiments, pickles, and deli and we make our own sandwiches. I bake some frozen french fries for a side. It doesn’t get any easier than that. No, wait it does! Sometimes I serve it on paper plates. No clean up either!!! It’s my kids’ favorite meal, but admittedly, it’s not the healthiest dinner alternative.
I have found some other healthier easy gluten-free recipes on various websites. One that I make weekly is meatballs and spaghetti. I find that those members of my family who aren’t celiacs and generally don’t like gluten-free pasta, can’t tell the difference between regular spaghetti and gluten-free spaghetti. Especially when the gluten-free spaghetti is smothered in meatball sauce. I usually use a can of tomato sauce and a can of cranberry sauce to cook the meatballs in.
Another easy gluten-free recipe that I found on AssociatedContent.com is chicken-rice casserole. Just pour two cups of rice into a casserole dish and place 3-4 lightly pounded boneless chicken breasts on top. You can also add some raw vegetables like carrots, broccoli, and peas. Pour 4 cups of gluten-free chicken stock over the chicken and rice, and sprinkle with seasonings. Cover with foil and bake for 35-40 minutes. Depending on the kind of rice you use , you might need to add some more liquid, so check it when there are ten minutes left to cook.
Lasagna is another simple, healthy meal. Gluten-free lasagna noodles are the other kind of gluten-free pasta my whole family is willing to eat. I suppose when it is blanketed in three different kinds of cheese and Enrico’s Classic Marinara Sauce, nobody can tell it’s gluten-free–and there’s no need to cook the noodles first.
By far the easiest and most fun gluten-free meal I have found is posted on TheGlutenFreeHomemaker.com. Popcorn!! You read me right…popcorn for dinner. The Gluten-Free Homemaker explains that most people think corn is a vegetable. I know I did before I read her blog. It is actually a grain. And grains like rice, soughum, and corn can be popped. In fact, according to the Gluten-Free Homemaker, sorghum tastes like popcorn when it is popped! Who would’ve thought? Because corn is a bit starchy it can replace potatoes, noodles or rice at your meal. I think I’m gonna give it a try. Microwave popcorn is full of chemicals and fat. The healthiest way to make popcorn is with an air popper, but if you don’t have one you can put 1/4 cup of popcorn kernels in a paper bag. Seal the bag with a piece of tape. Put in microwave for 1-2 minutes until the popcorn kernels stop popping.
Creating fast, easy, nutritious meals is a challenge to begin with, and when you are doing it gluten-free it can be even more difficult. These are some alternatives that I have used successfully in my house. If you have other quick, easy gluten-free recipes that both celiacs and non-celiacs will eat, please share the wealth!
I’m glad you like the idea, and I’m glad I found your blog. I’d love for you to join my Wednesday blog carnival, “What can I eat that’s gluten free?” I look forward to reading more of your posts.
My easiest gluten free meal is Mexican – saute a chopped onion, add a drained can of black beans, throw some rice into the rice cooker, open a jar of salsa, chop up some cucumbers and tomatoes, slice an avocado, open a package of corn tortillas (sometimes I make my own corn or gf flour tortillas – very easy – recipe on my blog). Voila! And if I’m really feeling fancy, I’ll make guacamole.
~Ellen
I really can’t believe you just suggested popcorn for dinner. while i like the tip about putting it in a paper bag and sealing it with tape, it seems that it would be more appropriate as a snack, not a dinner.
Great gluten free meals start with great gluten free ingredients. If you’re looking to find gluten free ingredients on the web, check out http://www.freefrommarket.com
Really enjoy your blog!
Great site for all allergy-free products—and you’re right about needing great GF ingredients to make great GF meals. I’m going to show that line to my husband to make sure he’s sourcing the best ingredients for the site we are planning! –Jen